<p>I wish to apply to BU, which is VERY expensive, but I have used their NPC and based on need-based aid, I qualify for about $45,000. That does not include the Presidential Scholarship, which I qualify for ($20,000). I know I can not rely completely on this, but I really want to go to BU. Is ED a safe bet?</p>
<p>Honestly, I am kind of tired of being rejected due to financial need as two private, internationally known schools flat out said I would not get in because of my financial circumstances (will not name names), but that was really the only main reason. Does this happen at universities too??</p>
<p>I know… it isn’t so much taking the best offer as it is simply insuring that I get enough money to make it feasible, if that makes sense. I have heard that if it absolutely is not doable, then you are no longer in the contract but I don’t know if that is true…</p>
<p>Do you know how accurate the net price calculators are?</p>
<p>BU is a very expensive private university that does not guarantee to meet full need. Honestly, if you need financial aid to attend, don’t apply ED. You have no guarantee of receiving the Presidential Scholarship. You also need to find out what happens to your NEED based aid if you get that MERIT award. At many schools, a merit award will reduce your financial need, and therefore, your need based award will be less.</p>
<p>It sounds like you need basically a full ride to attend BU. Those are few and far between even for $0 EFC students.</p>
<p>Dont apply ED if you don’t have the money to go and cant compare other offers. ED means early decision and you may be obligated to go to that school if you get in. It depends on their definition of ED. BU at most will give you ½ your required expenses. </p>
<p>Rule of thumb: If you need aid, apply to schools where you will be in the top 20% of applicants. Apply well-ahead of deadlines, but do not apply ED.</p>
<p>What is the date of notice for that Presidential Scholarship? I’m not sure you would have a decision about that in time to accept (or not) an ED acceptance.</p>
<p>If you apply ED, are you allowed to apply simultaneously to other schools? My D’s friend, who has a definite preference for a school, just mentioned that if she were to apply binding ED somewhere, she couldn’t apply to some schools’ non-binding EA programs. She mentioned Georgetown and BC specifically. I don’t know if this is true of a lot of schools BUT it’s something to keep in mind as merit money is often awarded on a first come, first served basis. We had several schools tell us if you don’t meet the Nov. 1 non binding EA application deadline, you’re much less likely to be awarded significant merit aid no matter how great your app.</p>
<p>You can apply ED to a school and still apply EA and RD at others. The issue is that you need to withdraw your other applications upon ED acceptance. However, there are some EA programs (like Boston College and Georgetown) that will not allow you apply as an EA candidate if you apply ED to another school. </p>
<p>The incentive for ED merit is that the college really desires to have the student attend.</p>
<p>But back to the OP’s question…if need based financial aid is a significant consideration, you MUST read all the rules governing applications submitted early to colleges. Some EA schools are very specific about applications to other schools. Some ED schools are as well. So make sure you are adhering to the early application rules for all schools as they vary.</p>
<p>But really…the bottom line is the BOTTOM LINE. If you get an ED acceptance with your aid package, you will have a VERY short window of time to accept or not that admission offer. You will have ONLY that financial aid offer to consider. The other schools won’t have sent financial aid offers. Here is the rub. That ED offer could be the best you receive…but it could also be the worst! You won’t have any others to compare. </p>
<p>And even with full need schools…offers vary by thousands if dollars. With schools like BU that do not meet full need, the disparity can be even more…because they simply do NOT meet full need for all.</p>
<p>What if I applied right after ED? I know I would then be considered RD, but by sending my application in so early do you think that I would still be showing my commitment to that school? (they are really big on the whole “is this really your first choice” thing)</p>
<p>BU does not have rolling admissions. That would have no bearing on your admission decision. Just send letters to your admissions officer every once in a while reaffirming your strong interest in the school w/ new accomplishments.</p>