Question about FA: acceptance and need met?

Momto4kids
Fri, 12 Dec 2014 12:00:31 +0000

As was said earlier, you just never know. It isn’t all about your academic stats as so many seem to think. My DS was talking about the diversity of kids at his BS. There are some kids who are the type to stay in their room all day and study, there are musicians and drama kids who spend their free time there and there are kids who are athletes who spend their days in practices and in the gym. Each school needs a mixture of all these kids. That’s the exact reason why some people with so called “perfect” stats get rejected each year. They need a mixture of all those groups of kids. That being said, you still have to prove that you are capable of meeting the academic requirements. That’s the case for my DS. He didn’t have the highest grades or scores, but was within the range. He then had other pieces that are beneficial to the school. Among many of the posters here there seems to be a belief that the highest grades and test scores are the formula to make this work, but theres so much more to the story.
As for the FA piece, I definitely believe that it doesn’t help. That being said, I also feel that if a school wants you that they will make sure that the financial needs are met. We were shocked with the generosity of my son’s school. They have also recently announced a new initiative with the intent of making financial aid available to more people. They have also reported that they have frozen tuition for those already enrolled. Well known schools like Choate have major endowments with which to work. If they want your DD, they will give her the FA she needs. I can remember all too well how much anxiety this process raises, we went through it last year. Hang in there, March 10th will get here and you will have your answers. The not knowing is just so difficult!