Hoarding Acceptances

[cherrytaffyz]

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I was having a discussion with my friend on this.

Do most people hold onto all their acceptances until Traffic Day or withdraw acceptances as they get into schools they more desire to go to?

 

[LizzyM]

Some hold on with the hope of using offers as bargaining chips when it comes to merit aid.

Some are too lazy or busy or distracted to withdraw and some don't even withdraw on Traffic Day which can cause consternation in the admissions office.

Some sweeties withdraw in the hope that their withdrawal will open a seat for someone on the waitlist. Little do they know that it takes hundred (yes, hundreds!) of withdrawals before one seat opens up on the waitlist as many schools make far more offers than they have seats with the expectation (and the hope) that most candidates will decline the offer.

 

[piii]

I imagine most people hold on to as many as they can. And rightfully so.

 

[ekmf27050]

Some hold on with the hope of using offers as bargaining chips when it comes to merit aid.

....Does that actually work? I didn't even know that bargaining for aid was a thing.. 😳

I declined two that I knew I wasn't going to accept due to acute empathy for those waiting on acceptances. 1/100th of the way there for someone!

 

[Chelsea FC]

....Does that actually work? I didn't even know that bargaining for aid was a thing.. 😳

I declined two that I knew I wasn't going to accept due to acute empathy for those waiting on acceptances. 1/100th of the way there for someone!

I held on to all my schools and constantly updated each of them about the aid I was given. It basically came down to school Y either matching school X offer or telling me they cant or sometimes they would ask me to hold on until other students with aid withdraw and they would come back with a better offer. Then sometimes they will tell u to bugger off because they have 200 more kids dying to get your spot. If you are a attractive student they will try to throw money at you, you just need to be smart about it to get the best deal for you!

 

[Chelsea FC]

Also some schools dont let you know about financial packages until after you commit to them. For those schools I would just withdraw immediately because I would just assume they will not give me anything.

 

[Professional Student]

I held on to all my schools and constantly updated each of them about the aid I was given. It basically came down to school Y either matching school X offer or telling me they cant or sometimes they would ask me to hold on until other students with aid withdraw and they would come back with a better offer. Then sometimes they will tell u to bugger off because they have 200 more kids dying to get your spot. If you are a attractive student they will try to throw money at you, you just need to be smart about it to get the best deal for you!

So how much were you originally offered and how much did you end up getting? (Roughly)

 

[Welshman]

Little do they know that it takes hundred (yes, hundreds!) of withdrawals before one seat opens up on the waitlist as many schools make far more offers than they have seats with the expectation (and the hope) that most candidates will decline the offer.

This makes sense but is also devistating to realize

 

[Chelsea FC]

So how much were you originally offered and how much did you end up getting? (Roughly)

I held out for full tuition, I was offered various amounts from different schools most of them low ball offers. The school that offered me full tuition doesnt negotiate with financial aid and the package they gave you was final so I got lucky with them. But after getting that package and telling other schools their 20k offers suddenly turned 40k etc... I also had tons of debt from undergrad and lived in a household way below the poverty level so those factors also help me in bargaining. I used whatever tools that was available to me and was super straight forward in negotiating. But I also had schools that I was more than willing to spend more money on for the sake of being happy. 15-20k extra a year I was willing to take a hit on to go to the school I had #1 on the list, fortune just happened that the best deal I got was my number one school.

 

[Sidthekiddd]

I held on to all my schools and constantly updated each of them about the aid I was given. It basically came down to school Y either matching school X offer or telling me they cant or sometimes they would ask me to hold on until other students with aid withdraw and they would come back with a better offer. Then sometimes they will tell u to bugger off because they have 200 more kids dying to get your spot. If you are a attractive student they will try to throw money at you, you just need to be smart about it to get the best deal for you!

Question: is it too early to start updating schools about financial aid packages offered? I've recieved a full scholarship at a school that's not necessarily my top choice.. the other schools I'm more interested in don't give aid till January-March.. should I start updating now or no?

 

[Chelsea FC]

Question: is it too early to start updating schools about financial aid packages offered? I've recieved a full scholarship at a school that's not necessarily my top choice.. the other schools I'm more interested in don't give aid till January-March.. should I start updating now or no?

I updated schools early letting them know that I dont want Bullsh*t offers. You can normally tell what schools are generous from how their financial aid department deals with correspondence with prospective students.

 

[Professional Student]

I held out for full tuition, I was offered various amounts from different schools most of them low ball offers. The school that offered me full tuition doesnt negotiate with financial aid and the package they gave you was final so I got lucky with them. But after getting that package and telling other schools their 20k offers suddenly turned 40k etc... I also had tons of debt from undergrad and lived in a household way below the poverty level so those factors also help me in bargaining. I used whatever tools that was available to me and was super straight forward in negotiating. But I also had schools that I was more than willing to spend more money on for the sake of being happy. 15-20k extra a year I was willing to take a hit on to go to the school I had #1 on the list, fortune just happened that the best deal I got was my number one school.

Good for you! 😛