As I read through this thread, there seemed to be this steamrolling effect that this student was going to a top school free of charge. I don’t think that was because of any one poster, it was a cumulative effect. I would guess most people didn’t read stats/bio and just went off the previous post with assumptions made. Agree with others, the stats are not there for the Stamps/Morks kinds of awards or other highly elusive top scholarships at the top schools. The ECs come off as a fluffed up, (sorry trying to be helpful). But there would be merit at some schools certainly and even good merit $, just not seeing it at the the likes of Duke, USC, Vanderbilt, Rice and other schools mentioned.
OP, people go into debt for college all the time - parents and students - that is a choice you decide on. College is not a given for anyone. There are thousands upon thousands of students that have worked really hard and can’t afford their dream school, or any four year for that matter. I have my eye on a new Tesla, but have to decide if it is worth the debt. Unfortunately no merit aid for that. But I can choose to borrow or not, and so can you and your parents. Not a crisis, just a decision.