When you can’t get into an Ivy +

[Anonymous]

Why don’t you just go to your state flagship, especially if it’s ranked in , say, the top 50? Tell me it makes no sense to pay all of that money for a private university that isn’t ranked in the top 15 or 20 when you could go to UVA, Michigan, North Carolina, maybe Florida, and obviously the UC schools?

[Anonymous]

We live in NY. There are many SUNY schools, and some are quite good. Unfortunately, they’re not a great fit for DC for various reasons. We’re looking at a few OOS flagships instead.

[Anonymous]

no Uva

[Anonymous]

Many kids who don't get into top schools, also don't get into top publics.

Some families can afford something different for their kids.

Many families get financial or merit aid offers that make the private school cost the same or less than public.

Some kids want something specific, and their family finds a way to make it happen.

I am sure there are other reasons I don't know. The point is that you are clearly ignorant if you think there's one answer.

[Anonymous]

Because my oldest wanted International Affairs. Georgetown and George Washington are both in the top 10 for that major. UMD, our in-state, is terrible.

He really liked GW's urban campus, so he went with that, and got some merit aid. Thankfully we can afford it.

For STEM, I agree that UMD would have been sufficient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because my oldest wanted International Affairs. Georgetown and George Washington are both in the top 10 for that major. UMD, our in-state, is terrible.

He really liked GW's urban campus, so he went with that, and got some merit aid. Thankfully we can afford it.

For STEM, I agree that UMD would have been sufficient.

LOL @ "sufficient"

[Anonymous]

When you don’t get into T15, you probably also didn’t get into UVA. Then there is no much difference tuition wise between UM and Rochester. Both are attractive to many students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you don’t get into T15, you probably also didn’t get into UVA. Then there is no much difference tuition wise between UM and Rochester. Both are attractive to many students.

So you are saying what… UVA is T15 like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you just go to your state flagship, especially if it’s ranked in , say, the top 50? Tell me it makes no sense to pay all of that money for a private university that isn’t ranked in the top 15 or 20 when you could go to UVA, Michigan, North Carolina, maybe Florida, and obviously the UC schools?

Well, people that have instate Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, Georgia Tech, and UT-Austin as options are in a wonderful place. And I suspect very few of those families can be persuaded to drop an additional $250,000 for undergrad at a different school.

But that's five schools out of 5000 colleges. There are a bazillion reasons why people choose something different than the state flagship. And for middle class families, the elite private schools are often cheaper than state flagships. Plus major strength, programs, vibe, network, opportunities, sports, location, community, weather, and on and on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you just go to your state flagship, especially if it’s ranked in , say, the top 50? Tell me it makes no sense to pay all of that money for a private university that isn’t ranked in the top 15 or 20 when you could go to UVA, Michigan, North Carolina, maybe Florida, and obviously the UC schools?

Missed a few publics but get your point I think it's to each their own. It whatever people put value on. It's different for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you don’t get into T15, you probably also didn’t get into UVA. Then there is no much difference tuition wise between UM and Rochester. Both are attractive to many students.

So you are saying what… UVA is T15 like?

If you don’t get into UCLA OOS, you probably also get denied by UVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you just go to your state flagship, especially if it’s ranked in , say, the top 50? Tell me it makes no sense to pay all of that money for a private university that isn’t ranked in the top 15 or 20 when you could go to UVA, Michigan, North Carolina, maybe Florida, and obviously the UC schools?

Well, people that have instate Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, Georgia Tech, and UT-Austin as options are in a wonderful place. And I suspect very few of those families can be persuaded to drop an additional $250,000 for undergrad at a different school.

But that's five schools out of 5000 colleges. There are a bazillion reasons why people choose something different than the state flagship. And for middle class families, the elite private schools are often cheaper than state flagships. Plus major strength, programs, vibe, network, opportunities, sports, location, community, weather, and on and on.

True. I always joke with my wife that we should have had to foresight to move to one of the Top Public's states years ago in preparation for my DS applying to schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you don’t get into T15, you probably also didn’t get into UVA. Then there is no much difference tuition wise between UM and Rochester. Both are attractive to many students.

So you are saying what… UVA is T15 like?

If you don’t get into UCLA OOS, you probably also get denied by UVA.

Please let's not turn this into another thread about comparing colleges. People way to sensitive with this stuff.

[Anonymous]

State flagships:
* May still be fairly expensive (e.g. PA)
* May be mediocre (e.g. MA, NJ)
* May be the same or more expensive than private options if you're on FA, depending on family circumstances.
* Tend to be large.
* May not guarantee four years of housing.
* Problems registering for the classes you want.
* Draw primarily from the home state, whereas top-ish privates draw nationally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you don’t get into T15, you probably also didn’t get into UVA. Then there is no much difference tuition wise between UM and Rochester. Both are attractive to many students.

So you are saying what… UVA is T15 like?

If you don’t get into UCLA OOS, you probably also get denied by UVA.

Please let's not turn this into another thread about comparing colleges. People way to sensitive with this stuff.

Okay, I will stop.