D applied ED to her first-choice, got a great merit-aid package, and is headed to school in a week. Her senior year was much less angst filled than it would have been if she had taken a different path. All of her friends who applied ED had similar experiences. I think the key is that those kids (and their families) did their homework first and made informed decisions based on realistic expectations.
We got the early read from the financial aid office last night. Now that we have a really good idea of what the FA package would look like at a minimum, I wanted to understand more about the process and timelines. So I had another conversation today with the FA counselor.
The advice was to rely on that early estimate as a good prediction of what the FA would be. She said it could go up a little with merit considerations made at application time, but it would be very unlikely to go down unless something drastically changed in our finances. We shouldn’t consider applying ED unless this information leads to a strong conclusion that we can afford this school.
Incidentally, the FA package from the early estimator form was about 8% higher than the school’s NPC predicted. This time they looked at transcripts and planned courses in addition to GPA and scores.
I was surprised to hear that HWS actually fills about 40% of its freshman class each year with ED applicants. Maybe that’s not unusual, I don’t know.
Anyway, now my family has to figure out where the money will come from–which is true no matter where she goes to school. And once we have that answer, if that HWS number is workable my D will almost definitely apply ED. Even if she doesn’t need the academic boost, it would be a HUGE weight off all our shoulders and allow my daughter to concentrate on her life senior year. Fingers crossed!
The last sentence of your paragraph 2 is what most here recommended, of those that made financial recommendations.
Best wishes for the prospective student that whatever happens is whatever is best for her.
Just to close the circle here: My D got her ED acceptance and merit money for 50% of the tuition. I paid the enrollment deposit yesterday. We are officially DONE with the college search, and couldn’t be happier about it.
The family money materialized which is a HUGE weight off our shoulders. If it hadn’t we wouldn’t have let her apply ED; she would have applied RD and compared financial scenarios as so many people suggested. 50% merit is wonderful but still leaves a very big hole to fill.
Thanks for all your perspective and insight, everyone! I may well be back when it’s time for #2 in three years.
Congrats to you and your D!
@atanvarne My D also just got her ED acceptance to HWS. See you at Parents’ Weekend!