@GoatMama
I am honored…
Takes a grand bow
I solemnly swear to do justice to his legacy… 
;
@purplereader
Not very well read on need blind schools …but feel compelled to also mention St Andrew (DE) is also ‘need blind’
Also I am not sure if this applies to these two schools (anyone want to chime in? @GoatMama @AppleNotFar ?) but certain schools separate the admissions decision from the FA but will later decide how much FA you are given (something like you are accepted but no FA… or on the FA wait list…)
Someone please correct me if I said something inaccurate or add on…
Indeed some schools do have a FA waitlist for admitted students, while they waitlist other applicants due to FA in the same cycle. Some schools also advise that they will admit an applicant with demonstrated need and offer no FA whatsoever. Transparency is the key, although it is cold comfort to get into a top school knowing that you cannot go because you will not get needed aid.
For anyone needed FA, knowing the polices of the individual schools, along with the possibility of merit awards in addition to FA, is vital.
I noticed a post on here from awhile back saying that a school had contacted the students parent to ask which they would prefer: A rejections, or an acceptance with no FA, because they were not going to be able to offer the FA they knew was required. I was surprised they would offer this consideration. When we started the process I asked DD if she would rather have an acceptance and no FA or a rejection if this was offered because she did apply to that school. She understands that the cost of this education once converted to US is almost our entire salary for both DH and myself, so without FA it’s impossible. But she would still rather know she got in at least.
@makp715 Do you know which school said that?
I do, but I’m leery to post it here because I really hope it was a misunderstanding. However, I was in the other room during the Skype interview and I heard it myself when DD asked. I’m on my phone and have no idea how to pm through the mobile site, but I can message about it later
Both Choate and NMH offered us those options. Why not? We thought both schools were being very considerate in giving us the choice. Of course, the call was in the context of first asking if we could be full pay.
@makp715 If you aren’t comfortable sharing it, you don’t have to. 
I was just curious.
@makp715, based on what I’ve read on CC about yield, such an offer is surprising to me. I would have thought that the offer options would be rejection or wait list, unless the school had some reason to believe the family would be able to go full pay, as it seems to be against the school’s interest to offer admission to someone if it knows the offer could not or would not be accepted.
@ChoatieMom, it does seem very considerate of the schools to have provided the option.
Anyway, I’m just thinking out loud (and procrastinating when I should be working).
@CaliPops I think it was Westover that gave the parent the option of a waitlist or offer without financial aid. I know it wasn’t one of the really big name schools. Also, I am pretty sure it was an obvious case of can’t attend with FA. I just can’t remember how long ago or who posted, but I am sure it was on this forum somewhere.
Yes, it was Westover…
It was a nice offer for the school to make.
What does dd stand for and all the other acronyms with d in it?
DC-dear child
DD-dear daughter
DS-dear son
DH-dear husband
DW-dear wife
am I missing any?
Yes, but you covered that main ones.
“And in the end (no matter how cliché) be grateful for the experience, and remember that no school is a safety.”
@Atria couldn’t be more correct. Big lesson learned for Buuznfamily this year…I say definitely get a feel for the school. There are a few schools that DS wasted time and effort on the application process (essays, etc)…only to discover upon visiting the school, he’d probably be miserable there. Those were the easy WLs to turn down. If you have the luxury to visit schools, even if on Saturdays throughout the school year (which we did not), definitely do it!
@AppleNotFar You forgot DSE which means Dear Self.
@skieurope Can we make your title supreme leader?
@Personof2017 thx! And I was thinking @skieurope could be DCCSM
@AppleNotFar
lol what is the full form :-? ? … Dear College Confidential Senior Moderator?