<p>Why do people hold the Ivy League in such high regard just because it's the Ivy League??</p>
<p>If given the option to pay $40,000 dollars at an ivy, or receive a good financial aid package at a comparable University or LAC, then I would take the good financial aid package. There are plenty of schools that will get you where you want to go. . .the ivy league is no holy grail.</p>
<p>Any of the High LACS are conpairable (Williams, Middlebury, Colgate. . . .) or schools like BC, U of R, JHU, RPI, BU. . . .you must also remember to take in consideration the program the school has in your major. Don't be blinded by pure prestige. Although ivys are on my list (Cornell, Columbia) I will pick the best school for me, even if that means turning them down.</p>
<p>Programs are overrated, especially for people looking to go into professional schools. An Ivy grad is going to have the advantage over U of R, RPI, BU, BC in most cases (JHU is Ivy caliber in terms of reputation). Also, the best recruiters only come to the top schools.</p>
<p>"Irishdancer.... if you can get into an Ivy I would be willing to bet you would get a lot of financial aid with a total family income of less than 30,000 dollars."</p>
<p>I think that he meant his parents 30k a piece. This would put him around the average, but even with a 60k/yr income any Ivy or top private is going to give you a lot of financial aid.</p>
<p>JW Blue, its one thing to be accepted (your 'demand') but its another thing to actually be able to afford to attend one of the ivy league schools (the supply). Who knows how many people pass up the ivy leagues to go to cheapter state schools. I know that Penn State Schreyers, my state college, probably has several cross-admits. Also, you don't know the statistics of how many kids actually don't go to ivy league schools for state schools.</p>
<p>How would you guys compare a school like Brown or Penn, costing a family 7-10k, as opposed to University of Georgia Honors or Georgia Tech costing 5k when the family makes about 35k?</p>