<p>And, you know what, I should clarify, too. We never said, “you can’t go to W&M 'cuz it’s too expensive.” </p>
<p>Since 11th grade D has known that our budget is $40k per year. We told her, “You can apply anywhere you want and if every option exceeds our budget, then we’ll get loans. But, if you have any debt-free options, you’ll have to choose from those.” </p>
<p>As it turns out, Bucknell and F&M also failed to offer merit aid. D knew the “rules” from the get-go. So, with a sigh and a nod, she crossed them off when their acceptances came. </p>
<p>In the end, she was left with 8 debt-free options*. Gburg and Mburg were her finalists. Back on page one (and in the spirit of the thread title), I told our story to describe how expressing our parental preference between those 2 may have been her tie-breaker. By that point in the decision making process, the expensive schools were dead and buried. I didn’t mean for it to seem that we killed W&M at the 11th hour because we had some sudden, stingy change of heart. </p>
<ul>
<li>in case you’re interested: Dickinson, Skidmore, Gettysburg, Muhlenberg, Hobart & William Smith, Elon, Salisbury U, Juniata</li>
</ul>
<p>
I didn’t take it that way. :)</p>