<p>All big schools are going to get some Caltech-quality students, but they’ll also have a much larger number of students that wouldn’t have met Caltech standards, dragging the average numbers for the whole class down. </p>
<p>Sure! I’m just pointing out that USC’s average SAT/ ACT scores are now comparable to Cornell and UCLA. That is quite a remarkable change from even 10 years ago.
And $$ is $$- regardless of what “guise” it comes in- extremely generous FA packages such as those available at a HYPS, or merit scholarships. Both “buy” students. And many top colleges use them , and or/ athletic scholarships, for that reason.</p>