Negotiate merit-based scholarship

 

­kcirai  There is no fixed strategy for negotiating scholarship offers. Candidates who are successful in negotiating scholarships often go with their gut on what might work, keeping their background story, uniqueness, and financial situation in mind. Generally speaking, if the school is among the best, they won't really care if you try to leverage another offer. They would prefer if you focus more on "why" you need financial assistance due to your current (difficult) financial situation.

I wouldn't recommend candidates rely on this, but I have seen a mentee negotiate financial aid (in person) from a top school after starting MBA classes.

To your point on "focusing on why I want to go to their college," please understand that most scholarships are given either with the objective of attracting very high potential and/or distinctive candidates or helping candidates who clearly need financial aid. If you belong to the former type, the school knows you will do well post-MBA and will be able to pay the debts without any worries. So there is less chance the school will reconsider what it has offered to you (maybe consider a little bit though). Take this into consideration when deciding how to approach the negotiation.


Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting 
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com­
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