<p>Hey Sybbie. :)</p>
<p>My college list, which started out as a long one, came into sharp focus once I had a couple of opportunities to meet with college representatives, alumni and admissions officers at college fairs, student receptions, and online chats. Now, although all my apps are in, about half the list has been cut. Schools like Vassar, Hamilton, Macalester, Rhodes, Vandy, and Emory are out for one reason or another because of their policies towards non-traditional students like myself.</p>
<p>As for Amherst, my CSS Profile being late does not affect my aid package or my qualifications for that package. I am also applying RD to Williams, which I understand is more generous with financial aid awards (definately better than Amherst with respect to grant/loan percentages). Bowdoin and Colgate are generous, while Middlebury is less so with ED applicants. As for being let out of an ED agreement, Amherst says that I can be let out, if after trying to correct the situation, they are still unable to assist me, if I have a problem with aid. To that end, I also applied to several EA schools which will notify me at the same time. Thus, I at least have something to compare it too. Amherst, I was told, will look at situations where FAFSA and/or Profile EFCs are divergent. I'm not too worried about aid in the sense that if getting accepted means borrowing between $2,000-4,000 more over the course of four years. If it means $7,000-10,000 more, then it's an issue. I must admit that I am a little worried about how Amherst deals with ED financial aid awards compared to some of my other choices--enough so, that I even considered taking myself out of the ED pool.</p>
<p>Anyhow, it is only at schools that are need blind that acceptances are not tied to ability to pay (although the colleges can, if they so choose, find out this information). Thus, if a school gurentees to meet need, they will do so--although how that need is met can be less or more favorable depending on the school and/or the applicant. At Middlebury, for instance, ED candidates are definately given less grant and more loan, compared to the RD awards, while Bowdoin's break downs are very similar.</p>
<p>In anycase, I hope that the colleges I've applied to can be trusted with respect to what they have said about their aid policies towards ED and RD applicants. Even though I am at a disadvantage at Amherst, where I'll probably have loans that are a bit higher than if had RD'd, I can deal with that if the work study obligations are not too demanding. Anyway, I'll let you know if I ultimately convert my Amherst application to RD (I have to do it by Friday).</p>
<p>Just my 2 cents. Hope everything is going well with your D and family. As for me, I'll just be happy when this college application season is over. There have been so many highs (like most of the parents here on CC) and a few lows along the way (<em>cough</em> College Videos <em>cough</em>), but I definately know more about myself than I ever wanted to before. Heh-heh. :)</p>
<p>Mahalo for your insight and wishes. Have a great night. :)</p>