This post raises a question for me. Can one really use bargaining chips when negotiating college prices? Does University X care if a student can get a better deal elsewhere? Unless we’re talking about a 5* athlete, it seems like the schools make their best offers and let the students decide.
In other words- has anyone here improved a financial aid package by talking about (threatening to go to) another college?
Cornell gave D23 a decent FA package, but said it will match the FA package that we receive from HYPSMD.
Well, it wasn’t a threat (or at least I hope not), but one of D22’s colleges increased its needs based package because another college had calculated our need differently. My daughter spoke to the financial aid offices not me, but I don’t think it was phrased as a threat.
Got it. Another reason to not auto submit is that it’s not always in someone’s best interest to place higher.
Some private schools will consider reviewing an offer if a peer school has offered more financial assistance. It would be rare for a public school, especially a flagship, to do so. Any “negotiations” would have to be done very tactfully, not in a threatening manner.
So I know what to look out for, which classes are these?
A friend of mine successfully negotiated with two public universities. His script was basically “my son really wants to go to your school, but college b has offered him $5,000 more per year in aid. That’s tough for us to ignore. Is there any way you can match it?” They didn’t completely match, but they did up their offer.
Is the “D” Duke or Dartmouth or both?
Duke
Thanks for clarifying. I was confused too 
because HYPSM has never before been paired with any “D”.
Yes, Cornell values Duke equally I guess I confirmed it with their FA office as well… I had to call just to make sure lol
I agree the financial aid package is going to be important. But UNM offers in-state tuition ($10,400 a year) and that’s some savings off AZ resident rate
What, Dartmouth the black sheep of the Ivies??
I know there was a conversation about this for the boys a while back, but I’d like some advice on where to shop for interview clothes for D24. She has a merit competition weekend coming up with two dress up opportunities. Her standard wardrobe is jeans and sweatshirts, so she doesn’t have any go-to stores for nicer stuff.
Something like a fitted knit jacket? Wide leg slacks? Petite sizes available would be a plus, though she can do basic alterations.
We have seen a disturbing amount of really boxy jackets out there and are both horrified (me from 80s flashbacks and she from how horribly they fit on petite frames). Hopefully we have just been looking in the wrong places so far. Thanks for any suggestions!
@bronzerfish - what about a dress with knee high boots and tights?
I was just having this thought today as well. I need to get an outfit ready for scholarship and awards nights - bonus if it can be used for career fairs and interviews at college.
I have pretty good luck finding banana republic and Calvin Klein jackets and slacks in small sizes at the thrift store as they are often rarely worn.
I think they can wear a conservative dress and don’t need a suit, just not anything too short!
It doesn’t have to be a strong offer to encourage a student. One of s24’s schools offers the instate tuition rate plus automatic merit to students from bordering states. Son knows this. He was still impressed by the written offer.
Our issue is getting him to think less about the cost and more about other aspects of fit. This is a good school for his desired major. It is also a small school in a small city. His other options are also good schools for his desired major. They are larger and more diverse. Which environment would he prefer?
Aritzia has great pants and lots of sales - fits well on my petite daughter and on my very tall thin daughter.
What does this stand for?