The pessimism is real. Most of the top schools cover low-income students. For instance, Princeton gives a full-ride to students /w family incomes under 65k. I am not sure why some of the posters are acting like these schools do not meet 100% need. In a lot of instances, these schools are just as affordable or MORE affordable than a public school. These schools have MUCH more money to hand out… endowments are insane.