RD decisions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Occidental College
81

<p>So I just got my acceptance letter today with the 5K scholly, but at this point it does not look like it will be enough. </p>

<p>My dad, while originally doing our financial aid calculations included his 401K which through off our calculations, and from that he determined that we would not qualify, so we did not bother. </p>

<p>However, you are not supposed to include your 401K or something along those lines in the FASFA and we found, with my brother in college, that our expected family contributions were much less. </p>

<p>As a result we are planning on actually submiting our financial aid information and hoping I will get some need based money. </p>

<p>Given that, I have two questions…</p>

<ol>
<li><p>What are the chances of getting substantial need based aid after the fact? It says it is possible and we should submit the stuff, but it also noted that funds are limited. </p></li>
<li><p>In regards to the merit…since I originally applied I have accomplished a couple high honors. I was a State champion in Speech and Debate, and I am the only three time national qualifier (NFL national tournament) in my school’s history. I have obtained a letter from my debate coach which highlights these acomplishments, and was wondering if this could bump up my merit scholly? I wasn’t gonna do this at all because my app was done and what is done is done, but I called Colorado College about it (Got in there) and since they are big in the debate community, they told me they would consider me for some extra merit aids since these acomplishments were after the fact of my original application. So, could this help me with Oxy as well? </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Oxy is my top choice, but it is way to expensive at this point. I need to be real lucky to have a shot at attending, but you never know, right?</p>

<p>Finally, investorscooter, I’m sorry to hear that your son didn’t get any merit awards. To be honest, I was way behind him in testing (ACT - 26) (SAT - 1820) but I guess with merit they look towards what you do outside of school. I guess I just sold my passion for debate and speech, and they liked that. Must have had some good recs to…</p>

82

<p>northface:</p>

<ol>
<li>distance from home doesn’t bother her - but she’s an escape artist :wink: Her friend is going to Middlebury, and my D is door to door quicker to LA from Miami than her friend is, up and down the east coast. Non-stop flight, but we don’t visit her often…</li>
<li>money, in what respect? The cost of your education is actually what YOU get out of your experience. Put in the work, make good choices and you will get your money’s worth, wherever you go.</li>
<li>no car is a definite damper. But enough friends have cars (constituting the plus side to having many CA students) so that she can shop/take trips, etc. Incidentally, she’s off campus already, as a sophomore, and will continue to do that. She doesn’t expect a car.</li>
<li>huge city. Yes, it is.</li>
<li>reputation…ah, and there’s the rub. Thought the same, myself. Biggest obstacle to smiling parents. Inquiring minds want to know…Oxy’s reputation. It has a good one from grad schools (my understanding based on a few conversations - and from those in the “know”). My brother-in-law’s law firm has several associates/partners with BA/BS from Oxy in their LA office.</li>
<li> size. It IS small. With all the good and bad of it. This is where fit is important. Some people do better when they have a “public standing” in their realms of operation. Others do better with more anonymity - especially if they need “do-overs”. Your call.</li>
<li>type of students. This was the clincher (sp?) in my D’s case. She LOVES the vibe of the majority of kids who go there. I think she characterized it as Oxy folk were smart, open, generally non-judgmental people who were quite interesting to hang with. This sold her.</li>
</ol>

83

<p>SunnyD24:
Go to admissions rep, go directly to admissions rep. Do not pass “GO”, do not collect $200.</p>

84

<p>Nice monopoly reference</p>

<p>Although, I’m not sure that helps me…</p>

85

<p>I got wait listed</p>

86

<p>SunnyD24 - I’m encouraging you to allow Oxy another, stronger look-see at you. No hesitation on your part! You are your own best advocate, and you need to step up and give them information which may change the formula. GO! Call up your admission rep and ask him/her for specific info on who to send to. Modesty is NOT in order here - in this time between admittance/acceptance, you’re given a window of opportunity. You need to take it.</p>

87

<p>aww thanks capn and investorscooter, ha </p>

<p>it all sounds good. the visit will be the real decider</p>

88

<p>north_face: so you’re a “Decider”, too? :wink:
I was hoping those days had come and gone into the big orange sunset…</p>

89

<p>As did I, but thankfully i got into my top choice…one more person off the wait list.</p>

90

<p>Ivestorscooter:</p>

<p>Your 100% right, and I’m hoping some of this changes the formula. Appealing for financial aid and having them reconsider my merit, is the only feasible way for me to get in…</p>

<p>If you were a admission rep, would you view a state championship/national qualifier for 3rd time in a high enough light to give me some extra merit? I have no idea how much this will help/matter in their minds.</p>

<p>Thanks for the encouragement.</p>

91

<p>[: I’m in.
As far as scholarships go, I got the $15,000 President’s Scholarship.
I’m not sure what you want for statistics, but I’m a full IB Diploma Candidate, unweighted 3.9 GPA, with a fair amout of ECs (I don’t sleep very often… :D) and SATs were 700 CR, 630 M, 690 W (2020 composite).
Congrats to everyone who was accepted!
Now comes the hard part…
Occidental or Reed?</p>

92

<p>both colleges are GREAT, but I prefer Occidental because it’s in the middle of everywhere - movies, museums, food places, shopping stores, beach are within 20 minutes of oxy.</p>

93

<p>i read that reed students study ALL the time and it seems like you have to have the right personality to fit in at reed - weird, quirky, liberal. it seems like such a cool place, just not for me. haha</p>

94

<p>heh i’m also stuck between occidental and reed</p>

95

<p>Reed has a cat dorm. Do you like cats?</p>