<p>As for finaid- as sometimes happens on CC cost discussions, we skip the part about which kids have what variety of options. </p>
<p>In order for a merit school to work, there are considerations like challenge, distance, whether it even offers the major, overall quality, etc. If you are looking at merit schools, some guarantee $x for certain stats, etc. Fine. It’s another level of data. But, many colleges leave their merit to their own discretion. In the latter case, of course, go RD, wait to see if that school or several like it do offer a sweet package. Weigh offers. Nothing says, though, that by going RD you will get a fabulous offer. Or that families that take this “savvier” route will be better positioned, in the end.</p>
<p>Schools that are “need-based aid only” are not going to offer merit aid or “lures.” (Still not understanding how Dartmouth negotiated.) For NBO schools, it is true that A and B may view your need differently. Even without the business-income issues, each will view per their own formula- some include home equity, others don’t, some have more generous policies, in the first place. Their formulas exist, their people run those- and you don’t know where you officially stand til the offer arrives.</p>
<p>It’s sometimes too easy to say, “weigh offers.” Any family could be blindsided. Any family could weigh- and still pick the school that leaves them struggling to find the money. Maybe those 6 or 10 colleges all shorted you. Maybe the family was undereducated about how finaid works or didn’t look broadly enough at schools. The “smarts” isn’t limited to the ED vs RD choice, itself- it’s how this is approached, in the first place.</p>
<p>Instead of Penn, rebel could be writing about NYU or BU.</p>