To ED or not to ED... costs, questions and concerns

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>CMU has always been a dream school of mine, but after spending the summer there for Pre-College I really fell in love with it. Sadly, as we all know, it happens to be really, really expensive school. I'm middle class and our EFC estimate that we calculated on the FAFSA website is ridiculous and totally not even conceivable for us, due to some stock that my dad has for retirement instead of a retirement account. </p>

<p>I have heard that, though CMU promises to meet 100 percent of what they percieve to be calculated need for ED applicants, you have a better chance at getting more money RD because you can barter using other offers. However, I'm not sure that the other schools I'm applying to are considered "comparable" to CMU, so I don't even know if I'll be able to do that.</p>

<p>These are the schools that I'm applying to, aside from CMU:
Boston University
Syracuse
University of Michigan
RIT
Drexel
UMass Dartmouth as a safety
(I'm looking at graphic design programs, and might add a few more to this list as I come across them in the next few weeks)</p>

<p>Will I even be able to barter with CMU with money from these schools? I don't think any of them are held up to the caliber of CMU-- though on CMU's design website, UMich, Syracuse, and RIT are all listed as "competitive" schools. </p>

<p>Basically, what I am asking is, do I have a better shot at more money applying ED or RD? I'm also concerned about getting in RD, though I <em>think</em> I've got a good shot...I'm a straight-A student, 2nd in my class, and my portfolio is coming along pretty well. Still, 10% acceptance rate to the school of design is not encouraging. Anyone have any advice?</p>

2

<p>It’s your portfolio that matters most for your major. Also, if you think you’ve got a good shot, go for RD. Definitely don’t do ED.</p>

3

<p>I would not look for exactly comparable schools. In our experience, CMU did not split hairs about it. You want a good school in your field and one that would be very, very glad to have you as a student. In your case, since you have a good academic record, you will be sought after by schools whose applicants may have the same amount of talent but whose grades cannot equal yours. BU, for example, follows a formula. It bases offers on parent income, GPA, and test scores. I think they even provide a little table to this effect (or they did last year, anyway). Your straight As may not get you accepted to CMU, because your portfolio matters more, but the grades may make all the difference when it comes to generating competitive FA offers.</p>