<p>Hi. Our child applied ED and was accepted. We are so happy as we saw an obscene number of schools and this one was the "one". Here's the problem..... It was a safety school but they did not have EA and we did not want to take the slightest chance for being denied. Therefore we did ED. Our child has a 3.7 GPA and the school is a 3.4. We did not realize that this schools ED rate drops to a 3.1 with ED and the 2 other students that got in ED had only a 3.0 GPA (fact per them). Our child felt a little less vindicated after learning this and felt like all 4 years of studying so hard was pointless if could have been accepted at such a significantly lower GPA. We knew we would not qualify for Financial Aid and that was off the table. In the interview they asked our child if we needed this and responded appropriately no. However, we did not know that we may have been able to negotiate a Merit scholarship w the ED. Our child Has MANY volunteer hours, National Honor Society and Captain of both JV and then Varsity. My question is: Is it too late to ask to be considered for a Merit Scholarship? They do have one on their website that sounds like they would qualify. We thought for sure it would be offered. We would never consider not attending. We believe in keeping our promise. We have 5 children and this is our oldest and we feel that perhaps it was not offered bc we were a "shoe in". I was sure it was going to be offered. We are comfortable and can afford it but not rich by any means. We have been saving for this day for many years. Can we ask to be considered for one? Are we too late? Especially now that we know that the other two ED students had such a lower GPA, it's a real killer. Any advice is appreciated. Ps. The school is very expensive $55k).</p>
<p>Well, you have discovered the peril of ED. And also the perils of students comparing notes on acceptances and their statistics.</p>
<p>Merit money is a pot sweetener for students they aren’t guaranteed to get otherwise, so often is not offered to ED students. You can certainly ask, though. And your student could start a diligent search for outside scholarship money (harder to get, usually only one time awards and smaller – but it all helps).</p>
<p>I can honestly say that your student wouldn’t have been able to “negotiate” a merit scholarship with ED even if he had answered the question differently. I can’t think of any circumstances under which they would have offered it as long as he did apply ED.</p>
<p>Hi. Thank youbso much for your reply. I’m sure you are correct on all accounts. I was thinking they may have offered (if we asked) since it would be a guarantee and a very good student. Also a competitor of theirs, verbally mentioned w a follow up phone call to our councilor after our interview that they would offer our child a very good merit scholarship if applied ED. Should we ask the admissions director personally or go through our guidance counselor (who is not very good, sad to say). Thank again for your help.</p>
<p>While the “rules” or processes are different, I think it can’t hurt to ask. One of my dormmates at my school originally did not apply for any sort of aid or merit scholarships. However, a few weeks after being accepted he asked the college if he could be considered for a merit scholarship. Two weeks later, he received a merit scholarship (and they are not given out easily at all).</p>
<p>While most merit scholarships are used to entice applicants into attending the respective school, some schools may view their merit scholarships in a merit-only view. In this case, I guess my housemate was an outstanding applicant because he received a merit scholarship after submitting his enrollment deposit. This is probably a rare case, but since it’s happened, there is a chance if it happening with your situation.</p>
<p>I’m scratching my head trying to figure out why anyone would apply ED to their safety school. That makes all other apps meaningless.</p>
<p>Edit: I didn’t understand. Good luck to you and your son!</p>
<p>To SA0209- thanks for that tidbit! You never know I guess unless you ask. </p>
<p>to: Mom2collegekids- it was quite simple really. We saw many many schools and did not like any of them. It got to the point of not wanting to fall in love with a school that was a long shot. We saw Lehigh, BC, Dickinson, F & M, Wake Forest etc and did not care for any of them. (actually, loved BC but extremely competitive where we live and it was a definite reach). Our child then was told that “personality wise” that this particular school would be a good match. Also, my child was practically burnt out from sports and keeping good grades. A very hard worker with a lot of self induced pressure to be the best. Therefore, our child had an (ah ha) moment and wanted to be a big fish in a little pond. I know most people on here seem to go for the “dream school” that seem to be reaches… But at the end of the day, if you are happy, you will be successful. Also, my child was sick of the “rat race” and always feeling so competitive. Which is exactly what she would have at a BC, etc. One of many bright students. Perhaps on the lower end. Mine came to realize they did not want another four years of that. I believe we picked the best school for our child. We are very happy.</p>
<p>To Vivimus: It is not financial need per se. I explained in my original post.</p>
<p>Well, it can’t hurt to ask. But tell your kid to get over the thing about having “worked so hard,” ASAP. He’s in where he wants to go, and you can afford it, and so…</p>
<p>Having good study habits will serve him well. Good luck to you both.</p>