<p>I was really wondering where I should apply early. I was really set on applying to Duke but I was diffident regarding their financial aid offered over there. I'm really interested in applying to high end schools (Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Duke, UPenn, Northwestern, Stanford) with an interest in pre-med areas. I ran a NPC on Duke and it seemed like I wouldnt be getting very much aid from them. How possible is it to increase financial aid by bargaining with the admissions counselors? Or should I just consider an EA school and leave Duke for RD?</p>
<p>Stats:
GPA: not quite sure but ~4.4 weighted and 3.98 unweighted
SAT: 2350 (CR: 800, M:800, W: 750)
AP classes taken: AP Calc BC, AP US History, AP Chemistry, AP Physics Mechanics, AP Physics E&M, AP Government, AP English Language, AP Lit, AP Biology, AP Statistics with a 5 on every exam taken
Leadership: Co-president of school's quiz team (Qualified for NAQT National Tournament), Secretary of Model UN team (Won outstanding resolution at the 2013 convention), Secretary of School's Science Olympiad team
Play violin and Piano (Played in OMEA Regional Orchestra last two years for violin)</p>
<p>Ask if you want to know any other stats :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>This is coming from a parent of four kids. Each of the first three was accepted at their first choice school ED/EA (Florida, MIT, Penn); our fourth is applying now like you and is similarly trying to decide where to apply ED in particular. My wife and I feel we’ve been through this process so many times we’re very knowledgeable. In my opinion, regardless of stats, don’t try to game the system and so apply Early Decision to the one school that’s won your heart ; if there isn’t one then don’t apply early. The only school where this doesn’t apply is Penn; they take up to 50% of the incoming class from the Early group so the chances of getting in RD are lowered. My daughter loves three schools, has visited each two times, and will visit two of them in the Fall again. If your dream school is EA then you’re fortunate and can apply to other schools EA. You can “strategize” by applying somewhere Early that you might like and is “prestigious” but I’ve seen many unhappy outcomes with this approach. I believe there will be variability in the FA packages offered, but you have to choose your schools and see where you get in before worrying about FA.</p>
<p>Duke is in a high enough plane that you won’t be able to “bargain” for aid. Either you get the few merit scholarships or its FA only for you. The other schools you list are FA only but may have higher plateaus. Run the NPCs to check. But all of them are reaches for any student. </p>