<p>D was accepted to Chicago EA. She would like to visit the campus during her spring break (the week of April 5). From my understanding, Chicago sends notifications of merit aid “in early April.” There’s really no point in visiting the campus if she’s not even a candidate for merit aid (and we do realize that’s a longshot). Still, I think we should plan the trip anyway; H thinks it’s not wise to spend the money. Is there any way to find out if she’s out of the running? If we knew that, we could save the money for the trip (we’re from CA).</p>
<p>^my husband thinks the same! he wants to visit depending on the "real possibility "of D attending! so we’ll visit only the one she is sure to attend!
why don’t you call the financial aid office??</p>
<p>Financial Aid doesn’t give merit awards. Questions about merit awards are directed to the Office of Admissions (according to the website)…</p>
<p>Last year’s scholarship award certificate was dated March 19 and I remember it coming a few days before April 1st. It’s true that it doesn’t come from FA office since it is awarded by a faculty committee. The quarter ends on the 20th so they may send them then.</p>
<p>It arrived on March 29th at our house.
Zetesis, S2 and DH will be visiting campus during that time, too!</p>
<p>Congrats to your daughter!</p>
<p>Thanks all for the information. Were she to get aid, I suppose we’d get ourselves to Chicago by hook or by crook!</p>
<p>Still, I don’t suppose they’ll tell you anything in advance (“she’s not under consideration” would be helpful). I assume the faculty committee doesn’t review the files of ALL applicants, but only those sent on to them by admissions reps or others. So, somebody must already have screened them (?)…</p>
<p>I think it’s unlikely that you’ll get any information early. But if you’re flexible, you might be able to get the notification and still make the trip during your April 5 window. There have been a lot of reasonable Southwest flights flights into Midway this year for which booking early gave no advantage.</p>
<p>CountingDown – well, maybe they’ll cross paths! I think your S1 is at Chicago, right? I gather it’s a good plug for the school that S2 wants to visit it too.</p>
<p>Seashore – thanks, we’ll keep our eyes open.</p>
<p>Just wish the notifications came earlier …</p>
<p>Yup, S1 is there and very, very happy. He and S2 are complete polar opposites in many ways, so I think it says something that such different people could see so much to like about the place.</p>
<p>^^
I gather! Reading the posts on the UC forum sometimes makes one wonder exactly what UC is, what it’s heart and soul are. I guess it’s many things to different people.</p>
<p>Could it be the Life of the Mind?</p>
<p>On merit aid, for the OP-
The admissions office will, sadly, not be able to give you any information on this. For merit considerations, admissions officers “flag” applications of those who they’d like to have receive merit aid, and these applications are reviewed by an almost entirely non-admissions committee (I think either Ted O’Neill or Michael Behnke, VP for enrollment, also sit in), and they choose merit scholarship recipients. There is no tie to the financial aid process whatsoever.
Unfortunately, you will also only be notified if she does receive merit aid- there’s no “sorry, no merit aid” letter for students who do not (which sucks, because it means a lot of waiting and hoping and very ambiguous timing on when one can feel let down). However, if your student does get merit aid, the merit letters come at the same time that admit packets come out for RD students. So, hold on…!
Of course, I have to encourage you to come visit campus, but reality makes it often impossible or undesirable to do so if no merit aid is offered. Do look at Southwest flights, which are often quite cheap in to Midway airport, depending on where you live. While coming out for an event for admitted students is nice, tours are offered daily (except for weekends, unless it’s a program weekend) at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm, followed by sessions with admissions officers, and the opportunity to sit in on classes.
Hopefully everything works out for you! Having gone through this process before (and coming out fortunately merit-aid in hand, but still wondering how I made it there) I know it can be stressful. Visiting is a great experience, though, and I hope everything works out for you and your student!</p>
<p>AirTran also has very inexpensive flights into Midway if you can travel in the middle of the week.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions. Now I guess we just wait.</p>