Letter of Intent with financial aid exception?

[u_raptor]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey all,

I am currently deferred at my top choice school until February or so. This school also really loves letters of intent (and has said so during interview day). I know some schools don't care, however this one really made an effort to say they want students to show continued interest. I would love to send a letter of intent, however the school is (naturally) expensive and I currently hold a merit-based scholarship to a pretty good school. Is it OK or sound to send a letter of intent with the caveat off "significant financial scholarships"? Even if I did not get a scholarship, I would prefer my top choice. However, I haven't gotten need-based aid yet, and if it is large enough (say 25% more aid or so), that might sway me.

Basically something along the lines of "While I have been accepted at multiple medical schools, X SOM remains my top choice outside of significant financial aid elsewhere" (still working on the wording)? If so, is there a good way to word it?

 

[Pluto98]

Which schools are these? For some, it might work but it depends on the particular circumstances (a school like Stanford won’t care that you got a merit scholarship to Ohio for example).

 

[u_raptor]

Which schools are these? For some, it might work but it depends on the particular circumstances (a school like Stanford won’t care that you got a merit scholarship to Ohio for example).

Vandy is my top choice, I currently hold a merit scholarship to BU

 

[deleted972488]

I would frame it in a way that, while remaining truthful, would most likely yield a positive result. For example, “Despite receiving multiple acceptances and scholarship offers, X SOM remains my number one choice.” I wouldn’t mention that other schools could change your mind with better financial aid.

 

[u_raptor]

I would frame it in a way that, while remaining truthful, would most likely yield a positive result. For example, “Despite receiving multiple acceptances and scholarship offers, X SOM remains my number one choice.” I wouldn’t mention that other schools could change your mind with better financial aid.

Thanks so much. That is definitely a better way to phrase it!

 

[FatherTime-PhD]

Isn't Vandy known for giving really good scholarships anyway? So that if you got in, you could expect that 25% or so to take you away from BU?

 

[u_raptor]

Isn't Vandy known for giving really good scholarships anyway? So that if you got in, you could expect that 25% or so to take you away from BU?

For some yeah. But idk if people that get deferred ever get scholarships 🙁

I know some in Feb do, but that may just be people who missed the Dec decision cut (like interviewed later)

 

[DNAJB6]

"While I have been accepted at multiple medical schools, X SOM remains my top choice."

I would leave it there. I would never write asking for scholarship money prior to admission. If it comes down to money at the end, write back to your top choice if admitted and tell them you would love to come but you are feeling a financial pinch and XYZ has offered you a scholarship of $______ and see if they can help you then.

 

[KnightDoc]

"While I have been accepted at multiple medical schools, X SOM remains my top choice."

I would leave it there. I would never write asking for scholarship money prior to admission. If it comes down to money at the end, write back to your top choice if admitted and tell them you would love to come but you are feeling a financial pinch and XYZ has offered you a scholarship of $______ and see if they can help you then.

This!! You definitely understand that, being deferred, you have no leverage. What you are really asking is whether Vandy is willing to pay to avoid losing candidates to BU, and I have a feeling you know the answer. Moreover, you haven't even established that they want you yet!!!

What @DNAJB6 suggested is perfect. I wouldn't try to pry money away from Vandy unless you wouldn't go without it (which apparently is NOT the case), because your risk, especially as a deferred candidate, is that you will turn them off, and your LOI will unintentionally turn into a withdrawal letter (Vandy adcom: oh look, @u_raptor has other acceptances and scholarships, and we're not going to give him any money, so we'd better move on and not bother offering him an A!).