<p>My S got into a reach school but with no merit money. He also got into all of his reaches, most with merit scholarships. The question here involves which school to go to, considering that he intends to go to Law School after college. </p>
<p>Being in the bottom quarter of his reach school, the grade curve in his classes will be difficult for him, much more difficult than in a target school, where he may be in the top quarter. He may need something like a 3.5 GPA for a good law school. I'm not saying he couldn't get a 3.5 in his reach school but it could certainly be taking a risk. </p>
<p>I know of people who went to reach schools and lost out on things like medical school as a result. I don't want to see something like that happen to my son. </p>
<p>Life is short, and there is no telling what tomorrow will bring. Law school is not like med school, in which access to research opportunities/mentoring etc. is so crucial. In the later case, being on the top of the heap at a good state school (often at lower cost), is an excellent way to go.</p>
<p>But with law school, so much depends on critical thinking and writing, that being challenged at a school which is "riskier" might be a good choice. (Also remember that more than 2/3rds of those who go to college thinking they might be lawyers don't end up going to law school at all.) </p>
<p>If money is not the issue, he should go where he'll feel both comfortable and challenged, and do well.</p>
<p>Regarding law school, no matter how high his GPA, at any school, he will also need to do well on the LSAT, but if he does really well on the LSAT that will probably matter more than a slightly lower GPA at a "better" school. And I believe many law and med schools do know which schools have grade deflation and what it takes to get a 3.5 at various school (and there are schools where a 3.5 is really good and schools where it is may mean less). I would say go to the school that he likes best that best suits his needs and interests and will provide the strongest education. Don't choose a college because you think the GPA will be higher there--and keep in mind that some schools open more doors than others, in various ways that may very well matter more than the specific GPA (within reason).</p>
<p>Just a note - there is, generally speaking, less grade inflation at state schools than at "prestige colleges" - you paid for those "A's", and they are more likely to provide them accordingly.</p>