GW: On The Fence

applicannot
Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:16:18 +0000

As I read more and more, my mind changes more and more. So I keep looking for advice (always taken with a grain of salt, don’t worry!) and more information as my plans develop.

I’m really considering applying to The George Washington University ED. I don’t need / am not doing it for the supposed “application boost”. I’m way above the 75th percentile for just about all of their stats and am not bad off for the subjective portions of my app (essays withholding, and I’m also a URM which seems to matter to some people). I’m doing it because I’m at least 85% sure that no matter what other schools I get into, I’m going to go to GW anyways. It would save time (which isn’t all that important), hassle, stress, and MONEY to apply ED to a school I’m positive I want to go to. (As an added bonus I’d get housing and registration priority.)

Of course, the only reason I’m not applying ED right off the bat is because of the money. That’s that other 15%. Now, that said, it is generally advised not to apply anywhere ED if financial aid is an issue. However, I am not in an all-that-unpredictable situation. My EFC and CSS/Profile (barring the student contribution) are both 0. I have a read a lot of great stories from students with very low EFCs and very good financial aid packages.

At the no-loans schools on my list, I’d graduate with at least $16,000 in debt because of not doing work study for two years (at least two internships and a semester abroad) and not being able to make my student contribution (the money I make during the summer is my only transportation/spending/books/incidental fees money). My question is: for those of you with experience with GW or otherwise in the FA game, is the financial aid at GW good enough for me to apply there ED?

applicannot