No, merit comes later.

Anonymous wrote:For those whose students already have received acceptances: Is the merit offer part of the initial offer of admission, or does it come later? If later (early in 2022?), is there really a financial advantage to applying ASAP? (I certainly understand the emotional advantage!)

if you are going for merit, at least for pitt, it is

Anonymous wrote:If a student is offered rolling admission with merit, do they need to commit to attending to somehow lock in that offer?

offer is good until decision date

For those whose students already have received acceptances: Is the merit offer part of the initial offer of admission, or does it come later? If later (early in 2022?), is there really a financial advantage to applying ASAP? (I certainly understand the emotional advantage!)

If a student is offered rolling admission with merit, do they need to commit to attending to somehow lock in that offer?

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like an awful way to run a merit program. What does that say about Pitt?

I know. You should definitely check that horse's teeth.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like an awful way to run a merit program. What does that say about Pitt?

Its not materially different form other schools methods of ED1/ED2/EA/REA and "showing interest."

Rolling admissions is a terrible system for schools and applicants.

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like an awful way to run a merit program. What does that say about Pitt?

Its not materially different form other schools methods of ED1/ED2/EA/REA and "showing interest."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD and I visited Pitt this summer and we both really liked it. They stressed that they give out merit aid on a rolling basis and it is best to apply as early as possible. DD has a good shot of qualifying for merit, but is still tinkering with her essays! Just wondering for those who have experience with Pitt, whether she is close to missing the boat on merit aid? First time going through this process as a parent and I'm feeling really uptight ....

kids will tinker with essays until the cows come home. not surprisingly, it doesn't necessarily make the essays any better. pitt gives out much generous merit early in the process due to rolling admission. [b]it's dumb to hold the essay and risk not getting (or not as much) merit. pitt has become stingy with merit in recent years to make it even worse.

OP here and I completely agree. She has committed to submitting her app after school today. I hope she didn't wait too long!

She is probably still okay but make sure to send it in ASAP. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD and I visited Pitt this summer and we both really liked it. They stressed that they give out merit aid on a rolling basis and it is best to apply as early as possible. DD has a good shot of qualifying for merit, but is still tinkering with her essays! Just wondering for those who have experience with Pitt, whether she is close to missing the boat on merit aid? First time going through this process as a parent and I'm feeling really uptight ....

kids will tinker with essays until the cows come home. not surprisingly, it doesn't necessarily make the essays any better. pitt gives out much generous merit early in the process due to rolling admission. [b]it's dumb to hold the essay and risk not getting (or not as much) merit. pitt has become stingy with merit in recent years to make it even worse.

OP here and I completely agree. She has committed to submitting her app after school today. I hope she didn't wait too long!

Anonymous wrote:DD and I visited Pitt this summer and we both really liked it. They stressed that they give out merit aid on a rolling basis and it is best to apply as early as possible. DD has a good shot of qualifying for merit, but is still tinkering with her essays! Just wondering for those who have experience with Pitt, whether she is close to missing the boat on merit aid? First time going through this process as a parent and I'm feeling really uptight ....

kids will tinker with essays until the cows come home. not surprisingly, it doesn't necessarily make the essays any better. pitt gives out much generous[b] merit early in the process due to rolling admission. it's dumb to hold the essay and risk not getting (or not as much) merit. pitt has become stingy with merit in recent years to make it even worse.

Sounds like an awful way to run a merit program. What does that say about Pitt?

I know at least 5 high stats kids who have been admitted to Pitt. Mine included. So those 5 are already of your kid for consideration.

I also know from my older kid that they reach a no merit aid point and stop, unless your kid is Ivy/ Chancellor’s Scholarship caliber.

So now. The “how would you change the world” honor college essay is awful. My older kid got merit by applying mid -August without the HC essay and did it later. My younger kid do the same thing. Applied in August, accepted 9/2.

Get the app in ASAP. Even if the CA essay needs revision. Even if your kid needs to wait to apply for the HC. They process too many apps too fast for the CA essay to matter much. Merit aid and admission is very SATs driven. HC is a bit more holistic.

They stop when they run out. And they pay out less than they used to - from $20k down to $10k now I believe. I'm sure some other posters can tell you.

DD and I visited Pitt this summer and we both really liked it. They stressed that they give out merit aid on a rolling basis and it is best to apply as early as possible. DD has a good shot of qualifying for merit, but is still tinkering with her essays! Just wondering for those who have experience with Pitt, whether she is close to missing the boat on merit aid? First time going through this process as a parent and I'm feeling really uptight ....