If you do a lot better after being accepted, you can try negotiating for your first year. Unless you did a binding early decision, you have the card of withdrawing if you don't get more $ so schools typically offer up some money.
... not have more than one binding Early Decision application pending simultaneously ... they are released from their binding commitment at the other school ...
Problems with history: If you make the struggle more important, than the accomplishments take a back seat, and if you make the accomplishments more important, then it undermines the struggle