Question regarding choosing a "first-choice" college

Paying for College Financial Aid (Need-Based, Merit Aid, Loans)
1

<p>Hello CC.</p>

<p>I am about to finalize my application for Finalist standing and have a question regarding the option to select a first-choice college. I have read the very extensive thread regarding the topic, but still have a question. Here is my scenario.</p>

<p>My first-choice is Princeton. However, I am also applying to the University of Rochester. UofR gives a minimum of $18,000 a year to all Finalists who identify UofR as their first choice college. However, if I were to get into a school such as Princeton, I would probably forgo the merit scholarship at UofR.</p>

<p>So here’s my question: Will identifying Princeton right now as my choice college positively impact my chances of being admitted? And will not selecting UofR right now eliminate me from their guaranteed Finalist merit scholarship? I know I can change this information, but will I be able to change it late enough (after receiving all admissions decisions) to get the merit from UofR if I desire it?</p>

<p>Thanks for any help you can offer!</p>

2

<p>Ivy, as you know if you’ve read the threads below, you don’t have to designate a college until late April, by which time you’ll have heard from Princeton. Just wait. You can always call U of R. if you need to know whether they have an earlier deadline for designating them as your first choice.</p>

3

<p>In general, it’s a bad idea to designate a first-choice college, since you may only be able to afford schools that give significant financial aid to NMFs, and those awards require a first-choice designation. You just never know. Besides, you can always change it later.</p>