<p>Hi all,
So I'm looking to apply to Cornell's School of Engineering early decision. The only problem is, I've spoken to my parents and, depending on the financial aid that is offered, I may or may not be able to enroll (assuming I get in, which is a big assumption). I know how important the money part of school-picking is, but so far Cornell is my top school and I would absolutely love to attend there. I understand that there are circumstances where you can withdraw from the binding ED, but how much do you have to prove in order to be eligible to do that? Also, the Need-Based Calculator basically shows that I'd receive little to no aid, so how different is the NBC from the actual aid offered if accepted? </p>
<p>Last question (I promise!) - If I apply to the College of Engineering for Chem E and choose CALS as my alternate with Biomed E, does that hurt chances of acceptance? I would be fine in either situation, but I realize many students try to "back-door" apply, so I was hoping applying to two colleges with 2 different majors wouldn't hurt.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t apply ED if you don’t think you’ll be eligible for financial aidand your parents don’t want to pay for it. I’m not sure, but I believe backing out of ED for financial reasons is acceptable under extenuating circumstances, like if income or other expenses changed. In any event, I don’t think it’s the preferred way to go, and don’t even think about applying back (as a transfer or for grad school). You and your parents also sign forms when you apply ED that you understand the commitment if you get accepted and very few people back out. It’s a commitment. If your parent’s income is greater than 200k (unless they have several kids in college at once) you probably won’t get financial aid. </p>
<p>Choosing an alternate college doesn’t hurt your chances. It just doesn’t help in most cases. Just choose the best fit for you. If both are a fit, choose both. </p>
<p>I keep hearing both sides of the argument - go and suffer from loans but benefit from a better institute, or don’t go and be better off with less student loans. I think I’m going to have to sit down and talk with my parents again about this…</p>
<p>It was my daughter’s clear first choice. Her older brother is in college so we already had an idea of approximately how much aid we would get. We still have to take some loans for both of them, probably 20-30k each. Given how hard they worked to get there, and the level of education they would receive, in addition to the friends and contacts they could make, we decided it was worth it. They would’ve been miserable at their state school, even though it would’ve been free. It’s definitely a family decision. There are no rights or wrongs, just different philosophies. Good luck. </p>
<p>You will get pretty much what the NPC says. Do not count on more. If you take out $20k in Stafford loans, plus whatever aid you get, would your parents be able to cover the rest? Also figure that as an engineering student you can get paid internships in the summer. </p>
<p>Alright I’ll sit down with my parents this weekend and see what they think. They are supporting of whatever I do, but the finances may just not be there. Thanks again @Renomamma. </p>
<p>Thats a good point @brantly, I’ll have to consider that too. Cornell is definitely my #1 school, so if my parents give me the go I will definitely be getting an ED application in ASAP</p>
<p>Okay so I’ve talked to my parents…what they have basically said is that, since Cornell is clearly my #1, I should apply ED and, if accepted, we will figure out the financial part afterwards. My mom is just about done paying off her student loan from Phoenix, and my brother also has a loan to pay off from the Culinary Institute of America. Somehow, they say, we’ll figure it out I hope that’s true</p>
I hope that’s true</p>