My parents have contributed to a college fund since I was born and will be able to send me to an IVY but not without financial pain. If I go to a second tier school with a full scholarship, I will be able to use my college fund for grad school or medical school. To add to the dilemma, I am a lightweight rower and only the IVIES have lightweight rowing programs. Any advice?
What is your definition of a second tier school? That might mean different things to different people. What about a non-Ivy top tier school that gives you a good amount of merit aid? I think it also depends what Ivies we are talking about. Your heading refers to Harvard but the post does not appear limited to Harvard.
I think you need to see where you get accepted first before worrying about this 
Assuming that you’re a rising senior and will be applying to colleges soon. (If that’s not the case, sorry for making that assumption!) However, I think that if you’re planning to get more than a Bachelor’s then the school you go to for undergrad isn’t as important, so going the cheaper route is best. I’m not sure what second-tier means to you but there are lots of great schools out there that will give you a good undergrad education!
I’m confused by “only the Ivies have lightweight rowing programs.”
Regardless, in general, and in only my opinion, it’s wiser to balance the cost/prestige equation 60-80% in favor of cost - especially if grad or med school is on the horizon. A lot of people seem to scratch their Ivy itch with a graduate degree.
And you are guaranteed admission at the IVY and admission & the scholarship at the “2nd Tier” school? Ask this once you have an actual scenario to relate, not a hypothetical one.
^Completely agree, get in before you start making these “Hard decisions.” If this is representative of your expectations be prepared for disappointment.
This is a minor point, but ‘ivy’ isn’t all caps.
@hs2015mom Just to be pedantic, I don’t think it’s all lowercase either. 
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Son has perfect SAT and 4.2 unweighted GPA in most rigorous courses. He has great ECs as well. He is looking to go to the best school he can that gives academic scholarships because he knows he will not qualify for financial aid. Any help?
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Did your parent post this about you a few months ago?
I don’t think the Ivy League schools are the only ones that have LW rowing.
There are indeed some lightweight crews outside the Ivies:
and this is a partial list; Lafayette has men’s lightweight and isn’t on it.
I am dealing in hypotheticals to ask a question to help me come up with an application plan. Of course I know I have to get in first. But thanks.
Thank you for this chart. It is useful.
An application plan will start with a safety that you know you will be admitted to, know that you can afford, and you like.
Choosing between a full pay name school and a less well known school offering a hefty scholarship isn’t outside the realm of possibility for high stats kids, so it’s a good question. @mom2collegekids knows about med schools, so search her out. She’s posted on this topic before and knows her stuff.
If I were you, I’d plan to save as much as you can to put toward med school or grad school. And @ucbalumnus is correct that your list should be made from the bottom up (safeties first).
You need to tell us what kind of school is “second rate.” Is this Harvard vs Vanderbilt or Harvard vs East Nowheresville State?
If I liked East Nowheresville State, I might take offense at that, so all I will do is note that we can both feel comfortable that it’s better than Central Moo.
First, I read another of your threads that claims that your SON has a “perfect GPA” of 4.2, unweighted. It is impossible to have 4.2 GPA that is unweighted unless you are on the 5.0 system in which case his GPA is not perfect.
And just because a school isn’t Harvard doesn’t mean he can’t get a fabulous education there. Especially if he wants to continue to grad school or medical school. You don’t even know that he’ll get into Harvard. Is he a NMF? What is his REAL GPA? What are his test scores? What subject tests has he taken? What makes his goals unique? Plenty of other top notch kids apply to these schools who have spectacular grades and scores and do sports. If there was more information, maybe the commenters could help you come up with alternatives with Harvard as a reach school. Because regardless of your son’s accomplishments, it’s always a reach unless he has done something extraoridinary.
“ivy isn’t all caps”
“I don’t think it’s all lower case”
“Verses” fared quite well amidst the debate.
@biochemgirl67, I too thought 4.2 was magically greater than 100%, but someone informed me that some schools give a 4.3 or 4.2 out of 4.0 for an A+; whereas a 4.0 is “only” an A.
As to the question, the prestigious name is not worth the extra money. The increased efficiency of gaining experiences with the available resources may well be priceless, IF the student really takes full advantage of the programs, people, and equipment. Prestigious schools are prestigious for a reason, and that is usually because the teaching and opportunities are better. How much better? 10%? Who knows. If you need to conserve cash, look at the long view. Realize that undergraduate can feed your trove of knowledge, or it can be life changing. If it is life changing, it may be worth paying full freight. You will not know in advance. And who’s to say that “B” grade schools will not offer a life-changing experience to a specific student?
Why can’t it do both?