<p>As a senior who has just finished the college admissions process, I would like to give a tip that I wish was given to me before I applied.</p>
<p>This topic is mainly aimed at the upper middle class for financial reasons. When I was applying, I was not even thinking about paying for college or how expensive college would be. I was extremely ignorant to that aspect of college, and I now regret this ignorance. With the tuition at many colleges exceeding $40,000, it is very hard for my family to pay for that without getting in substanial debt at the end of my four years. I thought that the Offices of Financial Aid would see this - but they do not. From every college I applied too, I either received no or very little ($3500 loan) financial aid. This is a big deal!</p>
<p>Most of the reach schools you apply too will NOT offer merit aid. My advice: find match and safety schools that will. If you are highly qualified for the school you are applying too, you most likely will receive merit aid, sometimes going into the tens of thousands of dollars. This aid is a HUGE HELP in being able to let you afford college and allows you to go to an expensive school without coming out in extreme debt.</p>
<p>My point: Those who are in the upper middle class will rarely get a lot of financial aid, even though they are unable to pay without incurring serious debt. Therefore, to try to cure this issue, apply to more matches and safeties that will offer very nice merit aid to you.</p>
<p>I honestly think this tip will be ignored by most, since CC is very prestige-obsessed, and many think that if the school isn't HYPS, it is crappy. But hopefully this will help a few getting ready to apply next year.</p>