Hi everyone! I'm considering applying Early Decision to Columbia because it's been my dream school for years. However, I've heard that applying ED might limit my financial aid options. Has anyone applied ED and still received a good financial aid package? I appreciate any insight you can offer!
Hi there! It's wonderful to hear that you have a dream school and are considering applying Early Decision (ED) at Columbia. You're correct that applying ED can sometimes limit financial aid options, as you're committing to attend the school before knowing the full financial aid package you'll receive.
That being said, Columbia is known for its need-based financial aid and commitment to meeting the full demonstrated need of students. While I can't speak for every case, I've personally seen students who were accepted via ED and still received a generous financial aid package that made attendance possible.
One thing to consider is that if your financial aid package from Columbia is insufficient, and you can demonstrate that attending would pose a significant financial burden, you may have grounds to break the ED agreement.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal priorities and how much of a factor financial aid is for you. Best of luck with the application process, and I hope everything works out for you!
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