Do i stand for a chance?

roadlesstraveled
Sat, 01 Jul 2006 01:41:11 +0000

[[Because what they said to me during frank and comradely discussions was that X, Y, and Z were interpreted this way and I pointed out that X, Y, and Z should be looked at that way instead.]]

We aren’t in a disagreement TD. I’m saying you’re an unusual case b/c of your self-employed status. Although I don’t know the exact figures of how many Smithie parents are self-employed, I would hazard a guess a very small percentage. Most parents fall into the W-2 category and Smith can very easily, via a fairly standard formula, arrive at the appropriate aid figure.

You aptly pointed out there are different interpretations of complicated self-employed tax returns. I’ve had three CPAs arrive at three different tax returns for one of the business I owned. It’s no surprise a college might interpret x. y and z one way but reconsider their hypothesis when presented with intelligent reasons ( which I have no doubt you did and arrive at a satisfactory outcome for both parties.

As you said, there is no way to ever know if other colleges played a role in the financial aid office reconsidering their assumptions of the validly of certain business deduction allowances.

Another consideration is, I imagine, we’re usually talking about a few thousand dollars per yr. savings, if any. If one was to amortize the small saving over a lifetime, each individual parent and student has to ask themselves if it is worth the saving and risk of loosing both future alumnae connections and income by applying RD if ED1 or ED11 will substantially increase the chances of acceptance.

Personally, I’d much rather pay a few more dollars per yr. to assure I was able to attend my 1st choice college even assuming, and it’s a big assumption, I had to pay a small additional personal contribution over another college I might very well not be as suited for. But I’m the same fool who will blow $100.00 on gas taking the kids waterskiing and wakeboarding. Everything is relevant

I agree with Ms. Mimi also. ED is not for a student who isn’t completely sure Smith is the college they wish to spend four yrs. However, a vast majority of internationals apply to colleges without ever visiting. I haven’t an answer to that dilemma. And for the life of me, I’ll never understand US women who accept Smiths offer of admission without having visited the college. I actually know of some.

I will reiterate, and TDs correct, when applying ED, you have no way to compare how the aid dollars will be allocated-- i.e. grants vs. loans.

My comments regarding a student receiving the exact same aid package whether applying ED vs. RD was very emphatically expressed to me by the financial aid office some time ago. If a student has any further questions, I suggest they call financial aid directly.