<p>I was accepted early to SFS - last two years of high school were specifically dedicated to that purpose - but cannot go because of their unpredictable and extremely lacking financial aid. This is such a bummer. I never considered finances as a factor when applying to colleges. I thought if you did good in high school and earned acceptance, you could go wherever. It is SO irritating to have the factor stopping me from attending be completely out of my hands.</p>
<p>Advice for incoming CCers, consider colleges' finaid policies/endowments before applying. At some places you REALLY do pay the sticker price. I never considered applying to Ivies; but at least there once you are in, you can pretty much go (Harvard's 10% income policy is very attractive).</p>
<p>BAH. Anyone else care to express their experiences/feelings/or vent?</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>Btw, I still lucked out with a near full ride at WashU and with UVa's decent in-state costs.
Which is another issue, anyone care to compare the two?</p>
<p>Crozet,
What was your EFC? How did the offers from GU, WUSTL, and UVA all break down if you don’t mind my asking? The two choices you are left with are both excellent by the way so congratulations!</p>
<p>My EFC according to the FAFSA report was 26,000.
My parent contribution was originally 45,000 - they thought I had outside scholarships but really didn’t - and then revised it to 38,000. My dad’s income went up this year though so it will shoot me dramatically the next and if my mom goes back to work, again.</p>
<p>In comparison, Vandy - also strictly need based - gave me 40,000 in grant aid. My EFC there was 18,000.</p>
<p>WU gave me full tuition + stipend merit scholarship and UVa is already 22,000 ish for in-state.</p>
<p>At this point, I really cannot expect my parents to pay the dramatic (and ever-increasing) difference even though SFS had been my number one for the longest time.</p>
<p>If that full tuition is for four years, I’d run with it. WU is an excellent school and if it will keep you debt free for undergrad that is the way to go. If you decide to stay with Intl Relations you could probably get internships through WU for a semester or year in DC and or go there for grad school if you so desire. Good luck!</p>
<p>If SFS is really your number 1 choice, I would consider contacting Undergrad Admissions or the FinAid office, I have heard of instances every year where they revised aid packages… it’s a bit more of a hassle, but there is an appeal process… if you really do have a good case, I don’t see why it wouldn’t get revised… again if it’s really your first choice, I would recommend following my advice… else the other schools are great as well!</p>
<p>Go with the money, it’s a better return on your investment because the schools will all generally create the same opportunity for you at graduations and it’ll be more about what you’ve done with your time there.</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>Go where you will be the most happy. As cheesy as it sounds, life is wayyyy to short to not be happy every single day. If SFS is what you would enjoy the most, I say go for it.</p>
<p>I totally agree with the randomness of FA. Although I’m in a totally different situation. I got basically a full ride from Georgetown (49k in GU Scholarship + federal financial aid) and we really didnt expect to get much, if any, financial aid.</p>
<p>drgtig5- just curious, but with that great package from Georgetown, why weren’t you expecting much aid? Where else did you apply and how did the packages differ? Oh and congratulations!</p>
<p>It came together with aid and I didn’t think I was gonna get much, because I don’t think we’re that in need of money lol.</p>
<p>I got in to bc, wake, etc. got rejected from Brown, Columbia, Tufts lol</p>
<p>I got full rides to BU, Northeastern and UM but those werent financial aid so idk.</p>