WashU vs Emory for a transfer student

Thanks for your reply! So for the first part as it concerns financial aid, the reason I was disappointed was because both of these schools claim to meet 100% of demonstrated need. How are both WashU and Emory meeting my full need if they are offering me FA packages of such different amounts (Not to mention WashU costs more and is giving me less)?

As to why I applied to transfer, my reasons are twofold. My current university is huge, almost 16k undergrads, and I wanted a closer, tight-knit community in a traditional campus setting. Also, my current university won’t let me double major with business and stay in my honors college. I’m also somewhat interested in public policy and my current school is not particularly strong in the field (no major and a very new, messy minor).

I had not heard of College of Charleston, but after looking it up, I have to say it’s one of the prettiest campuses I’ve seen. I really hope your daughter enjoys her time there!!

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That’s actually surprising to hear since Penn covers 100% need and GWU says it does not. What I’ve noticed based on my own friends’ experiences is that GW is really generous with merit scholarships for its “top” students but is stingy with need-based aid.

Because need is different based on each school’s parameters. What you see as need - they see differently.

For example, I go to Wash & Lee as I have experience. 88% of people in my income bracket gets grants on average of $38K. We got none. Know why - they look at your assets (including home equity). If you make $150K and have assets over $300K, your monies go down. Get over $500K in assets which isn’t much, you’re getting nothing.

Some schools include home equity, some don’t. Some include retirement, some don’t.

There is no government formula that says - they must make your cost x or y.

You can ask them why you were given what you were given - they will tell you. They are not looking to give away money. This is a consumer purchase.

Good luck.

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Schools like GW need to “merit” to get kids, that say are full pay at Penn - otherwise they won’t get top students.

Many schools today are focusing aid on need, because they know they are homogenous, rich, and caucasian. As they switch to need, they will lose some of these kids because their price will be out of reach.

But just because they focus on need doesn’t mean they’ll meet it - and some are need aware, so if you need too much, they’ll reject you just so they don’t have to fund you, even if you are well deserving.

It’s still a business - and they need to cover costs and then some


what’s your current school?