<p>I'm pretty sure that I can't afford to go to the more highly-ranked schools I wanted to go to, but not applying to them leaves me with a handful of lower-tier schools I'm pretty sure I can get into. </p>
<p>Is it stupid to apply to schools I know I can't afford just to see if I could get in? I mean, maybe it'll be heartbreaking to get in and know I can't go, but I just feel dumb for not even applying to better schools.</p>
<p>Go for it, the financial aid you receive might make it worthwhile.</p>
<p>If you want to apply to a school just to see if you can get in and you can afford to do so, why not? It’s your money (or your parents), and if no one minds, then go for it.</p>
<p>I do want to point out that you are not dumb just because you don’t apply to higher ranked schools. There are a lot of factors that go into what schools people apply to or attend, and every school have students with a range of intelligence, work ethic, and skills.</p>
<p>Go for it, but make sure you apply to a couple if safetys, which means schools you know FOR SURE you will be able to afford, even if they give you no financial aid at all.</p>
<p>If money is a big issue, you’re probably better off applying to Ivy League or really really prestigious schools, because they’re likely to have more financial aid than a second tier school.</p>
<p>Definitely apply to schools you’re interested in - and it might be smart to go to the school’s financial aid website or call their office to see what kind of aid you could expect to get. I’m currently attending Cornell Univ, and it costs me just as much to go there as Univ of South Florida and less than Univ of Florida. So don’t let private/higher-tiered schools scare you away!</p>
<p>As others have said, what’s your family income?</p>
<p>Below 180,000 per year, you’d be able to pay around 10k a year for an Ivy</p>