<p>STOP THE MADNESS
I’m just speaking of MY experience with the process…
No need to get all testy</p>
<p>He was evoked strong reactions because he made a ridiculous and insensitive statement, characterizing the huge majority of colleges as “bad” schools. He got exactly what he asked for - and deserved.</p>
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<ol>
<li>Then state that and give the parameters of your experience.</li>
<li>Then don’t generalize beyond your sphere of experience.</li>
<li>Then don’t use inflammatory evaluations like good/bad schools.</li>
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<p>they are rarely related</p>
<p>I won’t hold my breath waiting to hear details of his “experience” which concluded that schools that give merit are "bad’. </p>
<p>lol…and what “experience” could a high school kid have to conclude that any school is bad? What? A college visit? A few hours on a campus? Talk around the lunch tables at school? What?</p>
<p>Usnwr…</p>
<p>Wow. A lot of defensive people here. Any adults? Give the kid a break.</p>
<p>cc at its finest</p>
<p>OK, this is how it is at many schools merit aid can reduce FA. But, if you have no need, ie large EFC, then you can really make out with merit by applying to some schools where you are in the top %. The thing that stinks about kids who have FA need is that sometimes the merit aid given is counted towards their EFC while those with no need earn merit aid and it detracts from their EFC. Outside scholarships can have similar effect.</p>
<p>FWIW, at one LAC DD was offered two fairly good merit scholarships and FA. At another LAC, she was offered a tiny merit scholarship and much more FA. The total amounts were not hugely different except the second school had work study as part of the FA. At a third school which says up front that they package their aid preferentially and weigh test scores pretty heavily, her total merit/aid package was much smaller because her test scores are/were dismal.</p>