<p>liv, Why can’t you be awarded merit? Honestly, if you are just trying to figure out how to afford NU, that may not happen. If you want to broaden your choices beyond UMichigan, you could look for schools that give merit.</p>
<p>Sorry, the $70K doesn’t pass my smell test either. Do you realize that the average adult worker in the US does not earn that, even though they may have 20 years of experience?</p>
<p>Tell you what: email the admissions office, tell them what your friend said, and ask them for documentation.</p>