<p>first off, to B77: thanks for the great link! I love the message-- that kids can study unrelated disciplines and still have the opportunity to perform.</p>
<p>it’s interesting to read all this about Brandeis. let me put it out there that my parents’ income will probably yield a high EFC. but that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy for us to afford the 40k+ per year that many of my favorite schools cost. thus, I’m avoiding schools where aid is strictly need-based. </p>
<p>GwenFairfax, B77-- I just checked the site, and indeed there is a “Scholarships” page… 6 are available. BUT unless I’m a junior at Brandeis, a student from Waltham High School in MA, a student from the Chicago area, or a “Russian-speaking student who wishes to be of service to the Jewish community” (I lol’ed, it was so specific), I’m only eligible for 2 of the 6. </p>
<p>One is for National Merit Scholarship Finalists and guarantees $500 - $2000… based on financial need. it also doesn’t say whether it’s renewable (and even if it was, other schools offer much better money for NMFs). The other scholarship is based on a number of things, including financial need. like I said earlier, I don’t think I’ll qualify for much financial need.</p>
<p>Conclusion: Brandeis will probably be expensive.</p>
<p>I’m really am interested in Brandeis–and if I visit and like it, I’ll probably apply–but as far as merit aid goes, it doesn’t seem like the best financial option.</p>