<p>Now that the tables have turned (some still slowly turning), what are your reasons for rejecting top 30 schools? Certainly $ will be an issue but I'll bet there are other reasons as well.</p>
<p>"Still slowly turning" but top nationally ranked specialty in a #50 school may lead to rejecting a top 30 school already accepted to.......</p>
<p>Never replied to an inquiry, and for a couple of different schools, location, location, location.</p>
<p>Are you saying that people should avoid a school because of its has a "so-called" high ranking? If it's attractive, why would a USNWR #29 or #4 or #55 matter in the slightest? If so, I'd say your initial contrarian premise is flawed.</p>
<p>Sure if FA or regional concerns or limited areas of study or other reasonable criteria come into play , use them. But avoiding applying to top schools is just makes no sense.</p>
<p>"No way will I go to a top-30! Too elitist! I'm ONLY focusing on numbers 31 to 49, Man! Fight the power!!"</p>
<p>C'mon.</p>
<p>T2: I think the OP is referring to schools one is already accepted in?? Not that they didn't apply to......Maybe they can clarify....that's how I interpreted it...</p>
<p>^^^^Yes, That is the idea. Now comes the time when kids start looking at the group of colleges that are making offers and evaluating them (hence, the turning of the tables). I think our son's ideas of the best fit have changed since the application process began. Notions of distance from home, particular programs, finances, weather, etc. seem to be taking on a new relevance in his decision making process. He's pretty sure that he'll be rejecting schools that he thought were dream schools and accepting a school he originally saw as a last resort.</p>
<p>The turning of the tables was always my daughter's goal; she didn't have a dream school, yet applied to a wide range of places she thought she could succeed....as it is falling out, it does look like she may end up turning down a top 30, full fare, lack of program school for a lower ranked, amazing opportunity with merit $$ (and no, it's not the $$ that is leaning her towards this decision).....</p>
<p>OIC Maximus, sorry for the misread. I think there's no science or protocol involved in choosing. For me my top 3 choices were two ivies and a U-Mich. UM was throwing lots of $ at me but its size was unappealing. One ivy was terrific and offered a great setting -- however in the end, I didn't know if it was that much better (in my 17 year old opinion) than U-M. The one I eventually matriculated definitely captured my heart when I visited and mingled with current students. I really, really felt I fit in (even though I was from an inner city school district in the midwest). It was this one I was most hopeful for (not that I'd been the slightest disappointed going to the other Ivy or U-M). I had already discussed the choices facing me w/my parents and if financial aid from the two Ivies was generous enough, they'd allow me to eschew the big $ from U-M. I consider myself very fortunate to have been accepted at my no.1 and my parents gave me their heartiest support. Good luck to all the parents as well as applicants out there. (my oldest is eleven so I won't be in your shoes for a few more years)</p>
<p>I'm turning down 2 top-30 schools for a school which I liked much more when I visited PLUS I just found out last week the school I liked best gave me a huge merit award :) Sometimes things do work out the way you want.</p>