<p>I have been reading past and current cc entries and it is clear that requesting or needing FA affects one's chances at almost every school. Does the amount of FA needed affect acceptance? We are able to swing about 40% of the cost (almost lines up with EFC, per the calculator). So, if the stats are very good, about 15% higher than the school's average or any school's average, and all else is strong, including URM, how hopeful can we be? It is a GLADCHEM school and she would be a day student.</p>
<p>Also, we have extenuating circumstances that are not reflected on the calculator, but will be addressed in detail on the formal FA information. Will the school take this into consideration? </p>
<p>I have put DD info on here for chances and it seems to be largely ignored by the cc community. Not sure why this is, but others have gotten dozens of educated opinions from experienced parents and students. Anyone out there have FA knowledge? </p>
<p>Just so you know, if you posted in the chances thread, kids tend to answer those queries more than parents do-- and I wouldn’t assume they really know much about chances of admission, since they’re mostly applicants themselves. Parents tend not to post there too much because, the truth is, no one can actually chance you for any school unless they’re an AO from that school. Too many different factors go into each decision beyond straight numbers. That said, your daughter looks like a strong candidate, and Choate (which I know you mentioned in another thread) gives FA to more than a third of their students. Your daughter looks to have strong scores and grades, but so do many other applicants, and, yes, needing financial aid makes the chances of admission harder, though obviously not impossible. It seems like her ECs are strong, but there doesn’t seem to be a giant hook. Being an URM definitely helps. So what does all that mean? It means she has a reasonable chance of getting in with the right amount of FA, so of course you should apply, but NO ONE (outside of a Choate AO) can tell you how great a chance. It’s hard to count on getting in to one particular school no matter how great a candidate you are-- even wotSo try to stop worrying, have her write the best application she can, and then you’re just going to have to wait until March, which will be hard. She sounds like a great kid, though, so good luck.</p>
<p>As was said earlier, you just never know. It isn’t all about your academic stats as so many seem to think. My DS was talking about the diversity of kids at his BS. There are some kids who are the type to stay in their room all day and study, there are musicians and drama kids who spend their free time there and there are kids who are athletes who spend their days in practices and in the gym. Each school needs a mixture of all these kids. That’s the exact reason why some people with so called “perfect” stats get rejected each year. They need a mixture of all those groups of kids. That being said, you still have to prove that you are capable of meeting the academic requirements. That’s the case for my DS. He didn’t have the highest grades or scores, but was within the range. He then had other pieces that are beneficial to the school. Among many of the posters here there seems to be a belief that the highest grades and test scores are the formula to make this work, but theres so much more to the story.
As for the FA piece, I definitely believe that it doesn’t help. That being said, I also feel that if a school wants you that they will make sure that the financial needs are met. We were shocked with the generosity of my son’s school. They have also recently announced a new initiative with the intent of making financial aid available to more people. They have also reported that they have frozen tuition for those already enrolled. Well known schools like Choate have major endowments with which to work. If they want your DD, they will give her the FA she needs. I can remember all too well how much anxiety this process raises, we went through it last year. Hang in there, March 10th will get here and you will have your answers. The not knowing is just so difficult!</p>
<p>To address the question of how FA affects admission, you need to look at the percentage of students who receive FA at the schools to which you are applying. From what I see, the ratio appears to be roughly 70/30 FP/FA at most schools. That means that if FA is required, that application is in the smaller, 30% pool vying for fewer seats at that school. The more FA required, the tougher it is. Most schools have a finite pot of dollars to allocate, and they will use it to cover as many students as possible. So, among equally-qualified FA candidates, it is better for the school to get five students who only need $10,000 apiece over one student who needs $50K. OTOH, if an FA candidate is bringing something very special to the table, the school may pay up to full price for that student. Choate, for example, uses its full-ride Icahn scholarships to accommodate such students.</p>
<p>Thanks, ChoatieMom. She had her interview and it went well. But, I imagine, everyone thinks they go well. She is cautiously optimistic and also a realist. Almost out of our hands. Frankly, once that submit button is pushed for the application, I will encourage her to put it out of her mind until M10. I, OTOH, have to push submit on those FA papers. Thanks, again.</p>