<p>Interesting discussion…I usually post in Carleton’s CC page. Recently Amherst’s financial aid came up there.</p>
<p><a href=“Appealing Financial Aid Offer - Carleton College - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/carleton-college/1632869-appealing-financial-aid-offer-p1.html</a></p>
<p>-I had looked at Amherst’s financial aid and posted about in the thread I just mentioned. Amherst’s financial aid is really one the of best in the country. I think only Grinnell and Macalester do better. Careton’s financial aid is medicore…at best.</p>
<p>-Carleton has an entirely different financial model versus Amherst. Since 1993 (I think) Carleton has taken financial need into consideration when accepting students. Also, since 1993, Carleton has been on a building spree. They literally build (or buy) a major new building every 2.5 to 3 years. Before 1993 (when Carleton was need-blind), Carleton hadn’t built anything major for ~20 years. I’m sure Amherst’s president’s sees this and other liberal arts schools that give less financial aid and just build away.</p>
<p>Amherst should beware. When their president starts making the comments that initiated this discussion about financial aid versus facilities (or lack thereof), a switch to need-aware admissions may be on the horizon. When Macalester changed from need-blind to need-aware a few years ago, they gave Carleton as an example of why they should change. Grinnell is also considering no longer being need-blind.</p>