<p>Why Princeton, Yale, Dartmouth Differ on Aid Awards: John Wasik </p>
<p>"Although she wanted to go to Yale University and the school courted her by calling twice a week and visiting her home three times, it offered nothing in financial aid. Dartmouth College promised her $10,000 and Princeton University $19,000. In the fall, she'll be attending Princeton, where her aid is based on need and she won't have to take out loans. </p>
<p>The difference between the aid offers of these private colleges highlights some little-publicized facts concerning financial aid. Formulas for determining which families get the best packages are complex and often inconsistent. </p>
<p>Stuart Siegel, a certified college planning specialist in Erie, Pennsylvania, who advised Valle's family, found that even though all three are Ivy League schools, financial aid formulas varied from college to college. </p>
<p>Although college aid departments have guidelines in place, Siegel says they can be very flexible when trying to lure a desirable student. <code>Schools can do anything they want,'' he says.</code>There are no hard and fast rules.'' </p>
<p>Analyzing the Aid Package (see article below)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000039&sid=apgGyopxFzgk&refer=columnist_wasik%5B/url%5D">http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000039&sid=apgGyopxFzgk&refer=columnist_wasik</a></p>
<p>what kind of formulas are used to determine the amount a student recieves in aid?</p>
<p>Some include a deduction for other students in the family attending private school. Others do not count home equity in their formula. That is why I always struggle with the statement "meets 100% of demonstrated need". Each school determines what that statement means.</p>
<p>Is Princeton consistent in how it determines the amount of financial aid a student recieves? and as that goes for freshman yearhow is the amount of aid relative to years after that? I plan to go for my phd..6 years and chances are im going to need at least a bit of help with all 6 years.</p>
<p>how hard o easy is it to get into princeton,say my essay is good, i do well in my SATs, im in the top 30% of my class usualy top 10% in math but thats all, i dont really particpate in sports alot just swam for the school team like four times, do i stand a chance or is just a waste of time to apply.</p>
<p>Well with those detailed statistics I'm going to have to say that you are a lock to get in!!!</p>