Explain this...need awareness

Colleges & Universities Smith College
1

<p>One of the first reasons I started looking at Smith was because they promised to meet 100% need. I confused this unfortunately with being “need blind” at several schools and ended up being wait listed at all of them. Apparently Smith is only need blind for the upper 96% and wait lists qualifying students to see if they can scrounge up enough money for them. I’m not saying that’s the reason I didn’t get in, but it has raised some doubts. Point is, I can’t really see my financial circumstances getting better in the next few years and there’s a little nagging voice in my head that’s afraid that if I devote everything in me into trying to up my GPA and transfer, it’s not going to make a difference when my parents make 14k a year. Would I be better off raising my grades or raising my income/savings? I’ve been trying to do both but so far I don’t seem to be doing well enough. </p>

<p>Please help it’s going to determine whether or not I wind up at community college with my mother next year…</p>

2

<p>Bear, I know someone in similar circumstances who got in to Smith off the waitlist with very nice aid, leaving her single mom a bill that was manageable.
Better to raise your GPA and transfer; all the money in the world won’t help you if you can’t get admitted. I also do know of JC transfers to Smith who have done well.</p>

3

<p>“Need aware” also means they are very open about seeking out low-income candidates (other schools, including Amherst, Princeton, and Williams do as well, but they enjoy their need-blind mythology.)</p>

4

<p>Raise the GPA and work on some extra special essays. I don’t care what any admissions counselor may say, my personal observation is that if a college wants to raise their stats in those areas they are more likely to find extra money to take a student or keep her.</p>