<p>peppermintlounge, I sympathize. One thing to think about is that every choice we make does two critical things for us (more probably, but let’s focus on two): </p>
<ol>
<li> What do we get out of the process (classes, skills, ways of thinking, social skills, etc., other people’s opinions); and</li>
<li> A lottery of opportunities that may be affected by the reputation or prestige of the place.</li>
</ol>
<p>Is he concerned about other people looking down on the school or does he think it will be hard to take the next step?</p>