Is it unethical to negotiate scholarships by... Forum

[idfatq]

Lets say I have a 100K scholarship from BU and a 40K scholarship from Cornell. I want to go to BU. Normally, the straight-forward thing to do would be to email BU about Cornell's 40K, see if they bite, if not, just take the 100K. What if I, though,

1) email Cornell about BU's 100K as if I'd seriously consider if I get a raise
2) receive a slight raise from Cornell to, say, 60K
3) THEN email BU about Cornell's 60K.

Is this dirty?

[Verity]

Just do it.

[RPK34]

No, it's completely ok.

[gossipgirl]

If you're misleading/lying to Cornell when you tell them that you want to go to Cornell but BU gave you more money, then obviously it's unethical. If you just phrase your letter to Cornell as "yo, give me more money", then it's ok. Good luck getting anything with the latter though...

[firemed]

Provided you don't lie, it's OK. On the other hand, you are unlikely to get anywhere with this, and it borders on being dishonest... so it is up to you.

Send Cornell a letter stating you are having trouble deciding between the two schools, and that financial issues are a large factor in your decision making. Inform them of your scholarship at BU... and ask if they can do anything that might make your decision easier. Hell, they might even give you enough $$$ to make it worthwhile to go there instead. Doubtful, but maybe. Anyways...

Then take any offer you get and tell BU about it, telling them you would prefer to go to their institution, but finances are a concern.

But... even if you get 60K from Cornell my guess is that BU is going to be like "Hey, we already gave you 100K, which is way more than 60K. So we aren't upping that. Make a decision."

Up to you though.

[aliarrow]

I came here with the intent of saying "If you have to ask if something is unethical, it is"... but no, that's completely normal. That's how negotiations work, at least for someone whos capable of thinking more than one step ahead.

[Boggs]

I came here with the intent of saying "If you have to ask if something is unethical, it is"... but no, that's completely normal. That's how negotiations work, at least for someone whos capable of thinking more than one step ahead.

This.

[kapital98]

I came here with the intent of saying "If you have to ask if something is unethical, it is"... but no, that's completely normal. That's how negotiations work, at least for someone whos capable of thinking more than one step ahead.

I doubt Cornell will budge since they're not peer schools, but I guess trying can't hurt and I don't think it's unethical.

These two combined. +1

[Nicholasnickynic]

you cheating whore.

[Redsgomarchingon]

.

[sarahlawg]

just saying...finaid people really hate this and know people do it. but people do it. so just do it.

[Moxie]

I came here with the intent of saying "If you have to ask if something is unethical, it is"... but no, that's completely normal. That's how negotiations work, at least for someone whos capable of thinking more than one step ahead.

+1. Asking for money never hurts. This surely isn't a particularly ethical decision, but then again, neither is charging $200,000+ for 3 years of law school.

[lisjjen]

One warning about TLS, giving specific details about various things can bite you in the ass. Admissions departments keep up on these boards. Don't ask me how I know this .

[aliarrow]

One warning about TLS, giving specific details about various things can bite you in the ass. Admissions departments keep up on these boards. Don't ask me how I know this .

+1

[Nicholasnickynic]

One warning about TLS, giving specific details about various things can bite you in the ass. Admissions departments keep up on these boards. Don't ask me how I know this .

+1

Beyond true. Use it to your advantage. Lie on the boards, trick the adcomms.