Accepted to multiple schools--asking to match tuition?

[stoutt]

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So I am currently deciding between two schools at and one of the factors I am (obviously) considering is COA. Right now, assuming I receive no scholarships from either school, school A will $70k cheaper than school B. I am planning on writing a letter to school B explaining the situation and asking for a tuition contribution as I've heard that occasionally this tactic works and I have nothing to lose. A few questions regarding this situation (hopefully which can be answered by someone who has done this):

1. Who do I address the letter to? Dean, asst dean, general admissions e-mail address?

2. How does one phrase such a letter and how much detail should I go into? Should I mention the other schools name? I assume that the school will know given that schools can now see which schools I've been accepted to. Do I throw out numbers or just ask if there is anything they can do?

3. Would it be really rude & unprofessional to, if school B ends up responding to my request and given me some money, still attend school A? The $70k difference is really pulling me to school A but so are a lot of other factors.

Thanks!

 

[Bamfu]

You need to figure out which school you would go to if tuition were not an issue.

Once you figure that out, if it's A, problem solved. If it's B, then write your letter and see what happens.

Without knowing what those "a lot of other factors" are, nobody can help you with your decision. From the tone of your post, though, I get the feeling that B doesn't have much draw to it except maybe a name (why it's $70k more).

But yeah, first you need to figure out which you'd go to if money weren't an issue. Move on from there. This way you won't have to go back on your request for tuition assistance unless they just don't offer enough.. in which case you just say that's not enough.

 

[pathologyDO]

Now, crazier things have happened I am sure, but unless you're financially impaired as per FAFSA, then there is no way they will lower their tuition for you to go there. That wouldn't be fair to any of the other students that attend and have to pay $70K more.

I doubt it would work but you know what they say... you will never know unless you try.

 

[image187]

Now, crazier things have happened I am sure, but unless you're financially impaired as per FAFSA, then there is no way they will lower their tuition for you to go there. That wouldn't be fair to any of the other students that attend and have to pay $70K more.

I doubt it would work but you know what they say... you will never know unless you try.

Agreed, without some huge circumstance I feel chances are slim. Also, a medical school is a business. Medical school spots are in demand, not medical students... I don't see why they wouldn't just decline the offer in favor of another person who is gladly willing to pay full price. They "value" you as a future student, but not $70k worth lol

EDIT: Come to think of it, I've heard of this buying strategy before. Places like Dominoes and Best Buy will match a competitors price or coupon deal for a given item if you can show proof. I'm not sure this works for medical schools though

 

[galaxyx]

There's nothing wrong with asking. They're not going to rescind your acceptance and apparently its quite a common practice to ask. A lot less common to get any money out of it, but your chances of getting any money are 0 if you don't ask.

 

[futureczar]

So I am currently deciding between two schools at and one of the factors I am (obviously) considering is COA. Right now, assuming I receive no scholarships from either school, school A will $70k cheaper than school B. I am planning on writing a letter to school B explaining the situation and asking for a tuition contribution as I've heard that occasionally this tactic works and I have nothing to lose. A few questions regarding this situation (hopefully which can be answered by someone who has done this):

1. Who do I address the letter to? Dean, asst dean, general admissions e-mail address?

2. How does one phrase such a letter and how much detail should I go into? Should I mention the other schools name? I assume that the school will know given that schools can now see which schools I've been accepted to. Do I throw out numbers or just ask if there is anything they can do?

3. Would it be really rude & unprofessional to, if school B ends up responding to my request and given me some money, still attend school A? The $70k difference is really pulling me to school A but so are a lot of other factors.

Thanks!

If school B matches the price you ask them to match, then yes, it would be very rude to still turn them down. Figure out how much money they need to give you to make you attend their school, and then ask for it. If they dont match it, then go with choice A. If they match it, you should go to B.

Agreed, without some huge circumstance I feel chances are slim. Also, a medical school is a business. Medical school spots are in demand, not medical students... I don't see why they wouldn't just decline the offer in favor of another person who is gladly willing to pay full price. They "value" you as a future student, but not $70k worth lol

Sure medical school is a business, but just because Harvard can fill its school with people willing to pay 300k a semester doesnt mean that they will do that.

Schools are interested in making money, as well as having the best students. There is a reason you have been accepted and other people have been rejected or put on waitlists. There may not be a huge difference between you and someone on a waitlist in terms of how much the school wants you to attend, but the difference is definitely there.

Finding replacement students can be a hassle for schools. And oftentimes the people that will 'gladly pay full price' are not as desirable as the person who decides not to attend the school (not always). Thats why its always in your best interest to ask. You never know how much a school wants you until they start realizing that you may not matriculate.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

It's very unlikely to work if you weren't already offered a scholarship. Yes, they like you enough to accept you but they like 2x their class size enough typically to accept too.

You are going to need to make it clear that you love school B and if it weren't for the money issue you'd definitely be going there. Nobody is going to respond to some kid that basically says "I got into another school that's cheaper and I want you to match it".

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Sure medical school is a business, but just because Harvard can fill its school with people willing to pay 300k a semester doesnt mean that they will do that.

Schools are interested in making money, as well as having the best students. There is a reason you have been accepted and other people have been rejected or put on waitlists. There may not be a huge difference between you and someone on a waitlist in terms of how much the school wants you to attend, but the difference is definitely there.

Finding replacement students can be a hassle for schools. And oftentimes the people that will 'gladly pay full price' are not as desirable as the person who decides not to attend the school (not always). Thats why its always in your best interest to ask. You never know how much a school wants you until they start realizing that you may not matriculate.

Schools offer scholarships to students they want to recruit. If they want to recruit you, you'll know it. Finding replacement students isn't a hassle at all...in fact, a perpetual worry is that schools have accepted too many people and that they'll all accept rather than too little.

 

[HopefulSlav]

So I am currently deciding between two schools at and one of the factors I am (obviously) considering is COA. Right now, assuming I receive no scholarships from either school, school A will $70k cheaper than school B. I am planning on writing a letter to school B explaining the situation and asking for a tuition contribution as I've heard that occasionally this tactic works and I have nothing to lose. A few questions regarding this situation (hopefully which can be answered by someone who has done this):

1. Who do I address the letter to? Dean, asst dean, general admissions e-mail address?

2. How does one phrase such a letter and how much detail should I go into? Should I mention the other schools name? I assume that the school will know given that schools can now see which schools I've been accepted to. Do I throw out numbers or just ask if there is anything they can do?

3. Would it be really rude & unprofessional to, if school B ends up responding to my request and given me some money, still attend school A? The $70k difference is really pulling me to school A but so are a lot of other factors.

Thanks!

I would love to be in a world in which med schools have the equivalent of Wal-Mart's Low Price Guarantee.

 

[gyngyn]

Now is not necessarily a good time to bargain. Many admissions deans are actually worried right now that they may have over accepted. Right after May 15th might be more strategic timing.

You should address the Dean of Admissions (anyone else will only make him irritated).

 

[passionformed]

I would love to be in a world in which med schools have the equivalent of Wal-Mart's Low Price Guarantee.

 

[mcloaf]

Now is not necessarily a good time to bargain. Many admissions deans are actually worried right now that they may have over accepted. Right after May 15th might be more strategic timing.

You should address the Dean of Admissions (anyone else will only make him irritated).

OP has to choose one school by May 15. If he waits until that date passes his leverage is zero.

 

[gyngyn]

OP has to choose one school by May 15. If he waits until that date passes his leverage is zero.

Interestingly, there is a bit of leeway around this time just to settle such matters. A student may hold a couple of acceptances until one of the schools calls him on it. I'm not recommending it, just informing the OP regarding strategic timing!