<p>No, you wouldn’t be a fool for choosing WVU. If you truly feel that you would be the happiest and most at home there, there is nothing wrong with that. I am assuming that you can get into the honors college there, and it would possibly even be a free ride (even though money isn’t an issue, theres nothing wrong with a free ride).</p>
<p>The important thing with academics is not the prestige, but the opportunity it gives you. In many cases prestige brings more opportunity. Talk to the physics professors and get info on the program. Make sure that if you graduate there with high marks (you sound like you can get a 3.7+ at WVU) you can go to a good grad school. I would assume that if you can manage a 3.7 or above, and get good test scores, then you can get into some really prestigious grad schools. Grad school prestige matters more than undergrad prestige, or so I’ve heard.</p>