Current/Future Applicants and Parents: Making a College Application List

nhsharvard
Fri, 02 Aug 2013 04:51:36 +0000

alaemom, I think you’re advice is good in this economy, but if you do not mind, I would like to add a few words about the advice you’ve given.

However, with all due respect, applying to 9 schools is a bit conservative these days. As many of my friends in college admissions say, 12-15 is a better number to help get a good distribution of universities that can offer financial aid, scholarships, specialized programs, etc. Students can get universities to give more aid by telling university A that university B gave more funds and asking to increase the amount of aid to make it easier to attend university A.

On another note, finances should be a factor, but not the primary factor for applying to schools. A family’s financial situation might positively or negatively change over the time period from applications to the start of the 1st year of college. For students with families that have low incomes, universities such as USC and other peer universities, increase the amount of grant aid available. Some other universities (for instance, the Ivies) give almost full rides to students with lower and sometimes, middle class incomes.

Overall, your advice is good, but with all due respect, I just wanted to include my point of view as an alumnus.