<p>MAKE SURE that you do calculations, for institutional as well as federal EFC. I like Williams’s FA calculator–look only at the expected family contribution, because Barnard may expect more in the form of loans/work.</p>
<p>IF AND ONLY IF these calculations show that you qualify for sufficient FA, and ONLY IF Barnard is your PARENTS’ first choice–Are they willing to stretch to their limit to pay? What if another college was a few thousand dollars a year cheaper?–then GO for ED. Be prepared to decline the admissions offer and have merit-based cheap backups if Barnard’s calculation is drastically different.</p>
<p>I applied EDII to Swarthmore and will be paying only about 1/4 the actual COA–all need-based aid. If you’re depending on need-based aid, ED to a full-need school with transparent loan policies can actually be the BEST financial bet.</p>