Admissions VP wants to talk after I've already committed?

Paying for College
1

<p>So, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’ve committed to a state university… but after I notified Earlham College of my choice and the reasons for it (basically not being able to afford the debt) they sent a little card asking if it would be alright to contact me about financial aid and such. Since they were my top choice, I authorized them to do so, figuring no harm could come of it. Worst comes to worst, they don’t contact me, right? Well, I’ve checked my voicemail (haven’t had my cell for a while) and I found a message from my admissions rep that she left on Friday, stating that she and Earlham’s VP of admissions would like to speak with me on Monday and asking if I’d call her [the rep.]</p>

<p>I definitely plan to make that call, but I’m really nervous and not sure what to expect. Will this be just another way of trying to convince me to attend Earlham despite the somewhat extensive debt I’d need to put on? Or will this possibly be a sort of round of final negotiations regarding aid? Is this normal for a small private college to do (I figured bigger universities probably don’t contact prospectives that commit elsewhere too often, but do the rules change for smaller schools)? What should I expect?</p>

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<p>No need to be afraid. If they don’t offer a lot more money, but just want you to accept unaffordable loans, then you have all the power to quickly end the phone call with a "Thank you for calling, but the situation is not affordable. If you can offer a lot more money than fine, otherwise, I must say Good bye and hang up. </p>

<p>Keep in mind that you’re on the phone, you’re not a prisoner in an office. you can end the communication instantly if you feel pressured to accept something that is unaffordable. There is nothing that these people can do to hurt you. </p>

<p>That said, if they do offer you more money, if you’re still not clear if the amount is enough, tell them that you need to get off the phone to do some figuring and to talk to your parents. Give them a time that you’ll return the call.</p>

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<p>If you are someone they want, and they think they have a chance, then even the biggest university will contact you. If you were a highly prized football player at a big 10 school …</p>

<p>The less selective a school, the more likely they are to “negotiate”. You indicated an interest by applying. School made an offer. You declined the offer. They would like to make a counter offer. Seems like a normal negotiation to me.</p>

<p>If they were just surveying students who declined, I don’t think it would be the VP of Admissions calling. Regardless, it is what it is. It is not like you are going into the final round of negotiations and you have to be fully prepared to get to a deal or walk away.</p>

<p>Hopefully they will make an offer that is more doable for you. Whatever you do, DO NOT ACCEPT it. DO NOT SHOW THAT YOU ARE DANCING ON THE CLOUDS. Play it cool. Thank him for taking the time to make you the generous offer. Say you have to talk with your parents (which you do). Hopefully you can arrange for your parents to be outside the house (even if they are sitting in the back yard). Then you can say your parents are not home, and you will call him back after you have had the opportunity to discuss the generous offer with them. That gives you time to fully reflect on the offer and make a counter offer.</p>

<p>In a negotiation, the party that is the least interested, and willing to walk away, is the one that wins.</p>

<p>If you do make a counter offer, phrase it like: “I have discussed your generous offer with my parents. It will still be quite a stretch for us. If Earlham has any more flexibility, we think we can make it work. Otherwise, they need more time to see how they can further adjust their finances.”</p>

<p>Oh: He may also ask what State University is offering. If it will cost you peanuts to go there, then you can say so. Otherwise, it merely gives them a bogey - the most they have to give you. One way to make it look better than it is, reply “after Financial Aid (scholarships, grants, loans, work study, etc.), it will cost $x (where x is tuition only)”. He doesn’t have to know that you did not include room and board. If he pushes for details, just say that is all you remember from when you discussed it with your parents.</p>

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<p>If they do appear to come to a clear offer, thank them for the offer, and politely ask that they put it into writing and email it to you so that you can print it out to show to your parents when they are home. Remind them that your parents will need to be able to see and understand all of the details in order to consider any offers that are being made.</p>

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<p>^^^</p>

<p>Very good to ask for the offer to be emailed, so there is a clear record to be reviewed. That way there won’t be any confusion about how much is free money and how much is loan.</p>

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<p>and, make sure it is not just a ‘teaser’ offer of free money for only the first year, ask if you can count on that amount of aid/free money for years 2-3-4 (and put it in writing in the email).</p>

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<p>Very good points about getting it in writing, and making sure it continues after your first year.</p>

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<p>Please let us know what happens once you hear back from them. I’m curious as I had never heard of this happening.</p>

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<p>One more tip: Before the phone call, talk to your parents and write down what the absolute “bottom line” will be in terms of financial aid for your family. You are not going to give this number to the Admissions VP. This is for you and your family only, as a point of reference. It’s possible you might be given an offer and a pep talk, and having created a firm point of reference before the call might help you in making a decision after the call.</p>