I am wondering if any of you might have insights to share that will help with final selection for our son.
In hindsight, he applied (and was accepted) to far too many schools. They range from Duke, Vanderbilt and Notre Dame to SMU and our state flagship CU-Boulder. At this point, the COAs are from full pay of $65K/year to around $20K for CU. He plans to pursue a MBA or MS later.
We are one of those families that FAFSA considers too wealthy for aid (and I suspect so does CSS) but we are far from rich. Years ago, we started a 539 college fund that is worth about $80K today. I have places to draw whatever additional nut I need to meet, without tapping 401K money, but it would still sting. A lot. We COULD do it without burdening him or us with debt. And I don't want to make this purely about finances.
At the "lesser" schools, he would be at the top of his class, in honors programs, with special access to instructors, etc. At the full pay "famous" schools, he would be one of many exceptionally bright kids. What is the value of a college "really wanting him" versus one that merely accepted him?
Beyond "fit" and campus visits, how do I help him find his place?
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