<p>I think that zagat gives very good advice. We have just finished the application process with our oldest child. He knew in advance that money would be part of college consideration process. He applied to public and private schools. He did need to rule some schools out b/c of finances. He was still able to choose between 3 private colleges and 2 public colleges. I felt very good that he had some choices after all the admissions decisions and financial packages were received. We gave our son the nuts and bolts about the cost and what we could afford from the start, and this avoided a big disappointment last April.</p>