As GW looks to up national profile, merit-based scholarships increase

Steve Burd, a senior policy analyst in education policy at the New America’s Education Policy Program, said schools also increase their merit aid to bring in high-test-scoring students, which could increase their rankings. “These colleges every year want to say, ‘We have got the best class ever. Our average SAT score's this much higher,’” Burd said. “I'm just not sure that's really the most important mission for universities. I do really worry about the accessibility for low-income students.” Burd said that strategy could also hurt a school like GW, which has been criticized for only attracting wealthy students.