<p>Finally. Hopefully it will be on par with Harvard and Princeton. </p>
<p>After suffering a decline in apps as Harvard and Princeton were experiencing huge increases generally attributed to well-publicized new financial aid programs, Yale was forced to respond quickly in order to protect yield this year.</p>
<p>Hrm... so does that mean that if Yale's already sent you an estimated finaid package, they'll be open to negotiation if your parents can't afford the amount stated under "parents' contribution"?</p>
<p>princeton's increase was not due to financial aid initiatives but rather the common app. this move will probably only make yale more competetive with harvard in terms of recruiting low income students.</p>
<p>It took them long enough.</p>
<p>Well the EA and RD app numbers for 2009 were a bit of a wakeup call. They apparently have rushed to get something in place for when admits will be making their decisions after April 1, in order to insure that "diversity" goals don't suffer.</p>
<p>As app pools exploded at Harvard and Princeton, the likelihood of increased overlap with the Yale pool increased odds that Yale admits - particularly contested "diversity" admits - might have received strong financial packages elsewhere.</p>
<p>I really don't understand all the complaining about Yale's financial aid system. I mean it's probably the 3rd best in the country, if not the world and yet people talk about it as though it is some scandalous crime. There are protests occurring all over campus tomorrow.</p>
<p>maybe I missed something: what are they protesting?</p>
<p>Its all relative.</p>
<p>Being #3 CAN be a problem when you are going head-to-head with #1 and #2. As it happens, Yale's largest overlap is with Harvard and Princeton. </p>
<p>Financial aid can make a vital difference in winning over cross-admits. </p>
<p>Remember that applicants admitted to BOTH Harvard and Yale, or BOTH Princeton and Yale, are likely to be very desirable candidates -either academically or in personal qualities that bring diversity to the class.</p>
<p>So Yale would be well advised to goose up its financial aid program before 2009 cross-admits start comparing offers.</p>
<p>They are protesting what they believe to be the apparently dreadful state of Yale's financial aid policy.</p>