I know 5-6 kids from DC's grade at a MCPS public who turned down Ivies for partial or full rides elsewhere. That's just among DC's group of acquaintances and magnet classmates.

Just a product of AA. He knows too well what he is capable of doing. So wise choice.

I did this 15 years ago. Got no financial aid from the ivy's I got into, so I went to a state school instead. Graduated debt free.

My kid is doing the same. Full ride in state school means less debt for medical school.

Medical school is so expensive that many join the military to pay for it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This happens every year. I had a friend from HS in 1982, that went to Washington University on a full ride instead of going to Harvard. He was the only one from our class that went to WU, whereas 23 went to Harvard- so I would say he was more unique in that respect.

It probably is unique in schools where most students are wealthy, they don't need to take loans. The rich can go, the poor can go, it's the kids in the middle where it is less "unique".

I meant that he was the unique one because he went to a school where no one else went. I did too. The reason many of our classmates went to Harvard (and other Ivy's) was because it was free or reduced cost for them as one or two of their parents were professors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This happens every year. I had a friend from HS in 1982, that went to Washington University on a full ride instead of going to Harvard. He was the only one from our class that went to WU, whereas 23 went to Harvard- so I would say he was more unique in that respect.

It probably is unique in schools where most students are wealthy, they don't need to take loans. The rich can go, the poor can go, it's the kids in the middle where it is less "unique".

+1. And kids in the middle also includes kids of color.

I don't think it's that unusual to take a full ride over ivy league schools. Except this kid (URM, I am guessing) got into all of them.

Anonymous wrote:This happens every year. I had a friend from HS in 1982, that went to Washington University on a full ride instead of going to Harvard. He was the only one from our class that went to WU, whereas 23 went to Harvard- so I would say he was more unique in that respect.

It probably is unique in schools where most students are wealthy, they don't need to take loans. The rich can go, the poor can go, it's the kids in the middle where it is less "unique".

My niece got into Harvard and took a free ride at UCLA as a Regent's Scholar (totally merit based scholarship).

She says she is going to medical school - but nearly three-quarters of the students who intend to go to medical school follow through. I hope she didn't give up a chance to have a Harvard degree if she is going to stop at her Bachelors.

This happens every year. I had a friend from HS in 1982, that went to Washington University on a full ride instead of going to Harvard. He was the only one from our class that went to WU, whereas 23 went to Harvard- so I would say he was more unique in that respect.

My niece only got into 1 Ivy and many other great schools and she is doing UMD for free.

My brother had 1/2 FA from an Ivy and went to UMD for almost free.

I think there are many stories like this.

Anonymous wrote:Financially smart, but I'd never want to spend years in Alabama. A three day weekend was plenty.

I'm inclined to agree with you but for different reasons. But I strongly applaud the courage it took. I could never see my child take on a quarter million in debt just to say they went to any Ivy or its equivalent. The exception might be an entrepreneurial degree that could guarantee Ivy debt payoff in no more than 3-4 years max. Wishful thinking!

Financially smart, but I'd never want to spend years in Alabama. A three day weekend was plenty.

It must have been difficult to say no but what a smart kid to accept a full tuition ride elsewhere and save the money for medical school. Kudos to him and his parents!

http://uk.businessinsider.com/ronald-nelson-turned-down-every-ivy-league-school-for-university-of-alabama-2015-5