<p>Georgetown was always my dream school. But upon visiting BU, that quickly changed.</p>
<p>I applied to BU early decision, and a few others that would allow early applications from ED applicants.</p>
<p>One of which was the Schreyers Honors at Penn State. As most people who know anything about universities in the US know, Schreyers is very selective, and is considered an “ivy alternative”. I didn’t know if I’d get in, but I figured I’d give it a shot. Anywho, I got in there, but I also got into BU ED. Meaning I was bound. That’s not a problem, because BU was my first choice. The problem was that because I applied ED, I was not awarded any merit aid, because I was bound, regardless. I always heard whispers of ED being a trap to keep you away from scholarships, but I always filed it in the same category as “having organ donor on your license means the doctors won’t save you”.</p>
<p>I was wrong. Be warned! If your parents are successful, DO NOT APPLY TO A 50+K SCHOOL EARLY DECISION!!</p>
<p>Times: were you aware that for BU merit aid, you HAD to apply for FA even if you thought you didn’t qualify? weird stipulation, but yes, it’s true…sorry you had to find this out on CC…</p>
<p>To receive merit aid, you must apply for need based aid via the CSS profile. It’s your fault for being so ignorant and there is a reason for the program being binding. Schools always accommodate students who apply early decision with even more incentives to remain binding, as it IS ONLY FOR THOSE WHO DEEM THE SCHOOL AS THEIR ABSOLUTE FIRST. I’m so glad I won’t be seeing you here this fall.</p>
<p>This is the kind of case where it would be more than wise to consider taking our private loans. Because you didn’t do any documentation, you will ineligible from any institutional aids but private loans can take the place of these at much the same or even higher interest rates than a comparable Stafford or Parent Plus Loan. At the same time, websites such as Fastweb.com can allow you to earn hundreds of dollars in scholarship or grant aid that can help you fill out your cost of attendance.</p>
<p>The smart thing is early action, not early decision, unless you’re completely sure. EA means you don’t have to worry come April but you aren’t committed.</p>
<p>You can get out out of early decision by proving you can’t pay. Did you apply for financial aid? Because THAT might be why you didn’t get a merit award and not because BU was trying to “trap” you.</p>
<p>Then prove to them that you can’t pay. Communication w/ the finaid office is a good thing to have and from what I’ve seen (I’ve been bugging them all this week) they’re really nice and understanding. There IS a way to break the binding for ED if you really can’t afford it.</p>
<p>ED (binding form) is not meant to be a trap. It is meant to be for applicants who are committed to a given school. Obviously, if you have made an honest mistake or had a change in circumstances that affects your ability to pay, the school will not force your family into bankruptcy to get you to attend. However, if your family can afford the school, you are bound to go. If you always knew that you would go elsewhere if you got in, you should not apply ED.
I suspect ED will soon vanish as an option because so many people are abusing it.</p>
<p>ED is already vanishing at many top schools. Many people misconstrue it, confusing it with the similar sounding EA. Honestly, instead of removing it, I would like stricter enforcement of ED policies. It seems curious to me that amny families are pleading poverty after spending all that money on extracurriculars, application fees, deposits, etc. Schools should require a nonrefundable deposit upon admission and should notify all other schools about an ED acceptance so that any applications that students dishonestly file elsewhere are automatically rejected. People need to learn about personal responsibility; we’ve seen it collapse at Wall Street, and the roots of that kind of callous, morally bankrupt behavior is parents teaching their kids that they can make commitments and break them without risk or penalty.</p>
<p>to the OP: please forgive me; I wasn’t trying to be rude…I just checked your stats out on your earlier post; given BU’s merit requirements, there was little chance of getting merit money with your SAT scores (even with the FA being filed)…now, you and your family need to decide what to do…I do acknowledge that ED is a binding commitment; but as said above, if your financial situation has changed, you need to let BU know…</p>
<p>I don’t think SATs had anything to do with the OP not getting merit award. I got 1/2 tuition in grants with lower grades that I was told was based on merit/need. Did you apply for aid late? That might be a factor. A high EFC and not filling out the CSS/filing late might have affected your awarded aid, too.</p>
<p>Hmm, well one of my best friends was awarded a full-tuition merit scholarship at BU with early decision. I’m sorry, but perhaps you didn’t play the system well enough if you truly believe that your stats were good enough for a scholarship. : (</p>
<p>"I’m so glad I won’t be seeing you here this fall. "</p>
<p>I’m glad that you said that - when you obviously posted something that didn’t even apply to the OP - since they did apply for need-based aid.</p>
<p>There’s no need to say that, you have no idea who this person is. I didn’t think their post came off as arrogant, but to each their own.</p>
<p>I have no positive feelings towards Boston University after being told I turned in my financial aid application late, when that wasn’t true. I was told even though the university requested additional information, my application was considered late since it wasn’t complete until they received the information they requested. HA! Gotta loveeee that!</p>
<p>BU’s Fin Aid office was worse than USC, UF, University of Rochester, and Loyola University of Chicago. I found the officers at those schools to be much more helpful.</p>
<p>Be careful with BU! I wouldn’t suggest applying ED. Make sure it’s the school for you. It’s a good school, I’m not trying to slander the school.</p>
<p>For all of you 2014’ers going to BU, Congratulations and I hope it works out!</p>
<p>Sorry about that last comment. Hope you do well in Georgetown University. But seriously, for all those applying for BU this coming fall, you must apply for financial aid via CSS in order to be considered for merit based aid. Read the fine print. ED is not for everyone.</p>