<p>The high school is in a wealthy area, and the “top universities” (HYPS-type) are generally good with financial aid.</p>
<p>One thing interesting is that 11/11 applicants to the University of Alabama were admitted, but only one matriculated. But only one of the applicants (not the one who matriculated) had stats for the well known (on these forums) automatic full out-of-state tuition scholarship there (3.6 GPA, 1490 SAT CR+M; the scholarship needs 3.5 GPA and 1400 SAT CR+M). The others were 2.5 to 3.6 GPA applicants with SAT CR+M of 900 to 1210. The matriculating student had a 2.5 GPA and 950 SAT CR+M.</p>
<p>Meanwhile the comparably selective University of Arizona admitted 18/18, with 2.6 to 3.5 GPA and 760 to 1140 SAT CR+M, except for one outlier with a 3.6 GPA and 1410 SAT CR+M. But 5 of them matriculated (none was the outlier).</p>
<p>But a lot of students stay close to home, aiming for southern California UCs and CSUs, and USC.</p>