<p>I hesitate to start a new topic, but I wasn’t sure if I should post this under the Exeter or Andover topics so…</p>
<p>In any case, this is what the DA site says:</p>
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<p>So Deerfield IS in fact doing the same thing as Exeter, Andover, and St. Pauls, with a slightly higher income threshold. They have just not yet made a big announcement about it.</p>
<p>From what I understand from friends in the DA admissions office. They have been doing it for years (as have Exeter, SPS, Groton etc.). These “big” announcements seem to be publicity and not necessarily a “sea change” in FA. Just what I’ve heard…</p>
<p>Exactly what D’yer said. Also, if you look at the Exeter topic you’ll see the link to the Exeter development / campaign page where they are raising money specifically for FA.</p>
<p>Well, I’m not so cynical as to say that it’s publicity-driven. And if it was for publicity, they would do it sooner rather than later. There’s nothing to be gained in holding off on such an announcement just for publicity’s sake.</p>
<p>The reasons for holding out on making the announcement as a new policy include the fact that (a) the admissions and financial aid departments have reviewed this year’s budget and can make statements as to what they can do within the year, but they have not been authorized to commit to the same generosity in future budgets prior to having those budgets approved by the board; (b) the board may have provided such funding, but they may not be committed to the program on a “permanent” basis and haven’t authorized the admissions office to make a firm announcement; (c) there may be a long-term vision of full-funding but they don’t necessarily want to be tied to a strict “need-blind” policy all the time; or (d) they are still testing the waters to see how such a policy might shake up traditions and long-time school values, for better or worse.</p>
<p>Once you make the big splashy announcement, there’s no turning back. For all the headlines you make for going to a need-blind policy (and, even here, the Exeter announcement flew under the radar of many generally well-informed observers), the news that you’re retreating from such a policy would get huge play in the media. So, if the above reasons aren’t already too redundant, add (e) they want to reserve the option of retreating from this policy without having it get lots of attention in, say, The Wall Street Journal.</p>
<p>Deerfield has been need-blind for many years. I have no idea when they began this policy, but my D applied there in the fall of 2001 and they were need-blind then.</p>
<p>Perhaps calling them scholarships and categorizing them is new?</p>
<p>D’yer - I meant it is what you said about them having been doing it before, not the publicity part.</p>