Chances at merit-based aid? Forum

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gentlemanscholar

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Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2014 5:42 pm

Chances at merit-based aid?

Post by gentlemanscholar » Thu Jul 10, 2014 5:59 pm

Hi everyone,

quick profile:

Vanderbilt, GPA- 3.84, LSAT- 169, Division 1 athlete, white male,
I am strongly considering applying to UT Austin early Decision in order to secure the $10,000 annual stipend that they award to early decision applicants (if admitted). The only problem is that I would likely forgo applying to any stretch schools because the UT decision is binding. If I applied regular decision to UT, then i would have the option of applying to stretch schools, but no longer the guaranteed stipend back at UT. I have noticed that UT does have a decent merit-based scholarship program, do you think my profile is strong enough to get me any money off of a regular decision?

*Also, are schools less likely to give merit based aid to early applicants? The way I see it, the decision is binding, so they don't need to dangle money in front of your nose to persuade you to matriculate.

Thanks for any insights y'all might have.

BigZuck

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Posts: 11730
Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:53 am

Re: Chances at merit-based aid?

Post by BigZuck » Thu Jul 10, 2014 6:08 pm

gentlemanscholar wrote:Hi everyone,

quick profile:

Vanderbilt, GPA- 3.84, LSAT- 169, Division 1 athlete, white male,
I am strongly considering applying to UT Austin early Decision in order to secure the $10,000 annual stipend that they award to early decision applicants (if admitted). The only problem is that I would likely forgo applying to any stretch schools because the UT decision is binding. If I applied regular decision to UT, then i would have the option of applying to stretch schools, but no longer the guaranteed stipend back at UT. I have noticed that UT does have a decent merit-based scholarship program, do you think my profile is strong enough to get me any money off of a regular decision?

*Also, are schools less likely to give merit based aid to early applicants? The way I see it, the decision is binding, so they don't need to dangle money in front of your nose to persuade you to matriculate.

Thanks for any insights y'all might have.
I go to UT. I know people with worse numbers who got 20K a year. Don't apply ED anywhere. Make sure you hit up the lower T14, you'll probably get like 30K a year at a school like Duke and that will likely be your best option.

http://www.mylsn.info

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