<p>… The worst they can say is well, never mind then, we don’t want you anymore.</p>
<p>I have never heard of asking for financial assistance as being the cause of an admissions offer being retracted.</p>
<p>My dad wants me to let them know that Westminster offered my 14k. He wants them to think that I am still considering (even though my heart is dead-set on Purchase) and try to let them know that if I don’t get any scholarships, I will choose Westminster (even though Purchase is less expensive WITHOUT the scholarship).</p>
<p>But I feel guilty doing that… I don’t want to be a hassle to them. I love Purchase. I don’t want them to say, “Oh, well then go to Westminster,” or something like that. I love Purchase. I want them to know how much I want to go there, regardless of the cost… but at the same time, cost matters!!</p>
<p>Sopranorose, you will not be the only vp major asking for money this year. Your music education is expensive. Tell them that you have been offered money elsewhere. ASK. They will not think less of you for the effort.<br>
Last year,as grad applicant, D approached each of the four schools she applied to for more money. She was very specific on how much she needed. The school that made the best offer got her. No hard feelings. That is what people do to pay for their education. In fact she is still in contact with a couple of the other schools teachers and has had lessons from them since.</p>
<p>Rose, there is so much that goes into how these packages are assembled be they privates, publics, the effect of in-state/oos, if an institution gives a lot of talent money to a few, or lesser amounts to many. You can go crazy trying to figure it out.</p>
<p>Express your desire to be at Purchase. Let them know yo WANT to be there, and if there is anything that they might be able to do. You can use Westminster as the bargaining point, it may or may not have any impact.</p>
<p>As a public, their primary mission is to serve residents of NY state. As a performing arts school, they have a mission to that as well. How they balance the allocation of resources is an answer none of us here can provide.</p>
<p>You may be disappointed, but one of the best pieces of advice is do not fixate on a school (or an instructor). Dreams may be shattered by harsh reality. But in the great number of cases students “forced” to go to a second, or even a third choice quickly forget their dream choice, as they are perfectly happy where they are, and cannot imagine being anywhere else.</p>
<p>Just throwing this one <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/675696-what-good-fafsa-efc-if-colege-makes-their-own-up.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/675696-what-good-fafsa-efc-if-colege-makes-their-own-up.html</a> in from the financial aid forum from this time last year.</p>
<p>Rose, we are all on your side. The best of luck in trying.</p>
<p>My daughter was offered a extremely generous scholarship at a small program (Please: I don’t want this info to appear on the acceptance list because our identities would be transparent); other schools we have heard from have offered much smaller amounts that would make it very hard for her to attend. But teachers at these other schools have encouraged her to go request a scholarship reevaluation. We are still waiting to hear from a few places. I don’t think any school could possibly match the free-ride offer, but my sense is that we should wait until all information is in before applying. Or does waiting, even a few days or a week, decrease our chance of being considered?</p>
<p>glassharmonica, this is a tough call, and I know enough of your background situation to hedge my comments.</p>
<p>I would ask for the scholarship review. It may be irrelevant, as the full ride school may not be considered a peer institution.</p>
<p>A few on your list are not historically generous, nor will they negotiate even with those at the top of the food chain, particularly in a highly competitive instrument.</p>
<p>Sometimes you are between a rock and a hard place, and there is nothing you can do.</p>
<p>Again, it speaks to the point of having a true safety you can live with if all else fails.</p>
<p>It also speaks to the legitimate need to seriously consider a gap year if sights are set very high.</p>
<p>A gap year, however, does not guarantee anything.</p>
<p>You have my best wishes for success.</p>
<p>sutagabomom, welcome. </p>
<p>Response deleted, as OP’s post disappeared.</p>
<p>My daughter is a vocal performance major (soprano) who was accepted to in state school with presidential scholarship of $25,000 renewable over 4 yrs. They are also offering a talent award…to be determined. She was offered acceptance to her #1 school (out of state top conservatory) with $6000 merit award only. No need based fa. Should she plead her case and call or e-mail her #1 and tell them her dilemma to see what they can do for her or should I as the parent call and e-mail?</p>
<p>sutagabomom, welcome again.</p>
<p>My concern would be that the institutions may not view each others as peers.</p>
<p>Edit: deleted line, mis-read post. The absence of a talent award from the conservatory suggests she was below the “cut-off” for talent awards in her concentration.</p>
<p>Yet, If no one asks, nothing will change.</p>
<p>There are two schools of thought as to who “pleads”. You may well feel more comfortable speaking to family issues and financial circumstances. My feeling is that if I’m writing the check, I’m the one negotiating the $.</p>
<p>Other wisdom suggest that if a talent award or academic award is the underlying reason, the student should do the bargaining.</p>
<p>Neither is the right answer. The right answer is what works for your situation.</p>
<p>I do not see financial aid negotiations as “helicoptering”.</p>
<p>Thank you for responding Violadad. Actually the Oberlin letter stated that $6000 was in recognition of outstading talent and musical promise. I assume it was for talent? I don’t know if they award academic scholarship at the conservatory like the Presidential award? We were hoping for help on the merit side. If, anyone has info regarding this please let me know. I will certainly contact financial aid. We only were offered nonsubsidized stafford loan so I don’t know if they will review our fafsa.</p>
<p>I think CC is suffering from Ivy notification overload.</p>
<p>The college and conservatory award separately. Was she admitted to both?</p>
<p>Oberlin also uses CSS in addition to FAFSA I believe. I do not know about Chapman.</p>
<p>Violadad could you please add to the list: manhattan school of music, peabody, boston universtiy</p>
<p>As soon as CC stabilizes, I will try. If you need more info to answer your question please let me know.</p>
<p>Oberlin does indeed use the CSS PROFILE. Those enrolled in the Con only can get talent awards and need-based aid, but not an academic scholarship. Those enrolled in the College only can get academic scholarships and need-based aid, but I do not think they award talent scholarships in the College. Those enrolled in both for the dual degree program can get talent awards, academic scholarships and need-based aid.</p>
<p>The talent awards (i.e. Conservatory Dean’s Awards) are administered directly by the Conservatory. All need-based awards for both the College and Conservatory go through the shared office of Financial Aid.</p>
<p>glassharmonica, I meant to comment a bit more yesterday before CC crashed.</p>
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<p>If teachers/faculty at specific institutions have suggested seeking re-evaluation, than there is the potential of room for movement.</p>
<p>They are in a far better position than anyone here to gauge the possibilities within their own institutions. They may be also able to impact the outcome, but it is conceivable that the request needs to be generated by the student, not the teacher. You may also be in a position that through your d’s experiences you may in fact be speaking about OTHER teachers at a specific school that suggested this; it’s unclear whether the encouragement to re-evaluate is coming from that angle, or the actual faculty your d had hoped to study with.</p>
<p>There can be some cross mingling of input here, and it can aid in having a faculty member going to bat. </p>
<p>It may effect the outcome, it may not. And if there is movement, it does not mean that it may actually be enough to tip the financial equation.</p>
<p>Just wanted to cover all bases here.</p>
<p>Again, good luck.</p>
<p>Violadad, in both cases, the faculty members volunteered to go to bat for her, and in one case before we had even seen the merit award. Hoping for more info from other programs over the next couple of days.</p>
<p>I was just trying to present possibilities based on a range of experiences. Having anyone internally on her side can be a big factor. I hope things work out.</p>