<p>Curmudg, most of us are. There are true values to schools that have a name and rep, is one reason though it is not always clear how much and if the cost and stress to other family members is worth it. Anyways, that is why those schools get such a high number of apps, the lion's share among those kids with a shot of getting in. Also, the mentality is often stronger with the first kid. After suffering the cost, and finding that even top school graduates can end up lying on the couch all day with a low paying job for a while--yeah, I see this with even ivy graduates here in this area, some parents start thinking differently. Especially as the parents get older, their income possibilities start shrinking and other family members present pressing needs.</p>