<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am applying to UPenn and Columbia for college admission (2012). I think have fair chance of getting admitted. I like both schools. I want to apply to one of these in ED. The deadline is fast approaching. Any idea which college gives better aid. My parents make around 100k but no savings though. I tried the NPC for both these colleges, the estimate was about the same. Please share with me your experiences with getting aid from these colleges.
I heard someone saying that Columbia gives better aid than UPenn?? Is there anyone out there who got admitted to both Penn & Columbia? If so please please tell me if the aid is same for both colleges or different. I am going to do ED for which ever college generally gives more aid between these two. All your responses will be appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>they both are not generous. i suspect the aid package will not differ substantially. i suggest picking the school with programs you like better.</p>
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<p>Really? You don’t think a school that meets full need for ALL accepted students is generous? I think it’s VERY generous. This student will be expected to pay his/her family contribution as these two schools compute it to be…then they will receive aid to cover the rest which could include Stafford loans. I’m sorry but I think that is mighty generous financial aid.</p>
<p>Agree. It’s a $50,0000+ education for probably half price. That’s a pretty good deal. Itsme did you mean to say they are both generous?</p>
<p>Agree that both pay full demonstrated need. The problem is the way they calculate how much a family can afford to pay for college. Using the same income/asset data different colleges report different figures for EFC. If you are applying for public collages they all use FAFSA and the calculated EFC is same. But private colleges using profile, it is up for to the institutions to decide how much they think family can pay. So you would see different figures for EFC. For some colleges such HYPS, this EFC is way lower compared to others. I am not sure how Columbia & Penn compare. If you are accepted to both these colleges, please share your experience in terms of aid.
Thanks</p>