<p>I got into Northwestern but still have apps out for Vandy and Wash U since financial aid is important (this is allowed with ED).</p>
<p>We make about 80K a year, but our family contribution is about 35k.
I’m wondering if maybe Vandy or Wash U will be more generous.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Oh and when I say my family contribution is 35K that’s for Northwestern. Just to clarify.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>That is a huge EFC for $80k income. There must be a ton in assets. I would think any school would consider the assets available for financing an education. While we have found Vandy’s need based aid to be excellent, we do not have enough in savings to push our EFC that high.</p>
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<p>No, actually you are suppose to withdraw your applications from Wash U and Vanderbilt and not make no new applications. One of the downsides to ED is that you do not get to compare financial aid offers, so you do not know if the package you got from Northwestern is the best package that you are going to receive.</p>
<p>ED means in exchange for an Early Decision, if accepted you will attend. </p>
<p>You need to </p>
<p>1) get released from you ED commitment at Northwestern (which you are allowed to do if the financial aid is not sufficient).</p>
<p>2) withdraw your other applications</p>
<p>I highly doubt if Noethwestern is going to allow you to remain in wait and see mode until april.</p>
<p>If your family makes 80k and you have a 32K EFC, </p>
<p>Does your family own a business
Are there large assets (a great deal of $$ in the bank, real estate outside of your primary home)?
Are there stepparents involved whose incomes are being taken into consideration?</p>
<p>Keep in mind that if you withdraw from Northwestern, you may find that your aid packages from Vandy or WashU may not be much better (unless you are lined up to get merit $$).</p>
<p>OP, if “financial aid is important”, then why would you even consider ED?</p>
<p>Because I can of course still go, I just feel a little uncomfortable knowing my mom has to pay that much.</p>
<p>Are you aware that you have to withdraw your other apps since you’ve been accepted ED to NU?</p>
<p>Your post implies that you think you can keep all apps open because of your need for FA.</p>
<p>Are you asking if you should decline NU in hopes that you’ll get accepted to Vandy and/or Wash U and that aid will be better?</p>
<p>You mention your mom…is your “family contribution” that high because your dad’s income was also considered? Or is it that high because your mom has a lot of assets</p>
<p>If your dad’s income is pushing up your “family contribution,” wil your dad contribute? Or is your mom the only parent paying?</p>
<p>Yes, I am asking if I should decline Northwestern for Vanderbilt’s/Wash U’s chance to give me better financial aid if accepted.</p>
<p>And family contribution is high because of her savings; my dad has nothing to do with it.</p>
<p>I’m just nervous because my mom’s savings is for her and she was so careful and responsible in saving it; we don’t have any other family, and I feel guilty knowing I’m going to use up so much of her savings.</p>
<p>I doubt Vandy or Wash U will give you any better financial aid. Savings is savings … it is expected to be available for use for school. Why would a school “give” your family money when there is money available? Everyone would rather use their savings for themselves. Life just doesn’t work that way, though.</p>
<p>I don’t get this…why would you apply to a school ED that gives mostly only need based aid, when you knew that your mom’s funds would be used, and you’d “feel bad” about spending her money?</p>
<p>If she and you are so concerned about spending down her savings, then don’t go to an expensive school.</p>
<p>OP, another thing you must consider is that you may NOT be accepted at WashU or Vandy. Have you applied to safeties? If you turn down NWU you may have to settle for a safety.</p>
<p>This student never should have applied ED since he wants to compare aid packages. </p>
<p>As mentioned above, if this student declines NU, he could later get rejected by Vandy and WashU and only have matches and safeties to choose from.</p>
<p>Frankly, the thought of spending down the savings of a family that only makes $80k per year is silly.</p>
<p>The OP probably was aware of what you guys said but just wanted both ways - get lucky with FA and get the admission advantage.</p>