boolahi,
“You make the wrong assumption that they would pay full price–they would not.At HYPSM even at 150K you would be still receiving aid, especially if you lived in certain areas of the country” - you might as well making the wrong assumption that the family is under $150k. And even if they are given some need based FA at $150k, I highly doubt that it would be a full ride at Ivy / Elite. Anyway, if kid decided to go to Alabama, good for him, very mature and wise decision and I support it fully as I supported fully my own kid who made a similar decision, except that she never bothered to apply to any Ivy / Elite, she said that there is no reason for her to do so, she never changed her mind in regard to Med. School either. She had withstand a huge push from her GC also. So, I understand somewhat the part when kid applied and decided not to attend, not everybody can deal with all adults who are involved in a process of college application.