CWRU is one of his top choices, but money is a factor. We have a high EFC, but can’t afford to pay that much. Therefore, for private schools like Case it has to be good financial package. When I plug our financial and his academic numbers into NPC, the price tag at Case seems doable. Tough, but possible.
However, I saw that for those applying EA the deadline to submit CSS Profile is November 15th. Does this mean that financial package will be evaluated then, before all the regular decisions are due? If yes, will this reduce our chances for aid?
I can post my son’s stats if that will help. Also, he is a potential varsity athlete: we visited in summer and talked to the coach. Coach seems interested and my son is going on the official visit in November (after November 1st deadline for EA). He also had an on campus interview at that same time. So, definitely interested and will be applying, we just can’t decide whether or not to apply EA.
Applying EA was our plan, actually, until we got news today that he was accepted at in-state public school (rolling admission). We like that school at least as much as Case Western. So, now that he announced “Mom, I’m going to college”, I’m questioning the value of EA.
I think it would be good to apply Early Action. Case is one of a few top tier colleges that offer a non-binding early action. So, if you apply before Nov 1, you will find out if you are admitted and the amount of aid (based on your CSS profile) you would get. If accepted, you then would have to complete the FASFA in January/February, once w-2’s are available, etc. Please it is free to apply early action on the common app. Case is my daughter’s top choice too, and we are really excited about the possibility of her knowing about admission and financial aid by December 15. So, if she gets in and the money is OK, we will avoid having to complete all those other applications with Jan 1 deadlines. EA seems like a no-lose situation to me.
Case is a school that says that “Demonstrated Interest” is “Important”. They also are very concerned about their “yield”…that is, how many admitted students enroll.
So, if you don’t do EA, make sure you are showing interest other ways:
Thank you both.
He is showing interest: campus tour summer after sophomore year, another campus visit with interview summer after junior year. OV (which we are paying airfare for) this November. His ACT scores have been automatically sent to Case after school testing in April and again this fall. I don’t think there is lack of interest.
Case is among the top choices, but money will be a factor. As I said, he will apply for sure and if the financial package is right, will attend (assuming he is admitted, of course!). So, I’m purely interested in the EA/RD question from the financial perspective. Does EA diminish or increase your chances for a better package?
From what I have read online, EA is not supposed to diminish a financial aid package. Actually, a few places suggest that it might even help increase an award, because the university would much rather admit a student and gain a deposit now and fill up some of their freshman class for next year before the spring application process even begins.
Also make sure he opens the emails that Case sends. I don’t think EA would diminish financial aid (merit)…otherwise people would find out and not apply EA.
The quote below is from the Case website. Tentative could be good news or bad news.
"Once you have completed the primary application steps, the Office of University Financial Aid will notify you of an initial financial aid award. The types and amounts of financial assistance given on the initial financial aid award are tentative until all application requirements have been met.
Whenever additional documentation is submitted to the Office of University Financial Aid, the initial award may be revised based on the new information. It is not unusual for students to receive multiple award revisions over the course of the application process as additional documentation is submitted."
My daughter interviews with Case this weekend and is excited to apply EA.
Also, what happens if all your paperwork is not in by Nov. 1? His counselor letter of rec might be delayed, and he just submitted one of his 2 SAT-2 scores. Another one, plus SAT1, plus ACT are already there.
Since Case also needs letters of rec (counselor and a teacher, I believe), if those are late, will they just defer him to RD? I think his teacher’s letter should be there by Nov. 1 and counselor’s, perhaps, by Nov. 15 - hard to tell, she is on maternity leave but he was told she will be submitting the letter, not her sub.
I had similar questions. One of the recommendation letters was probably going to come after Nov 1. Emailed admissions office thinking daughter may have to go regular decision. Admissions reply said to go ahead with EA. Its OK if recommendation comes in little later as long as all other materials are complete.
