Re expense of applying to all Ivies. If you qualify for an SAT fee waiver you get four application fee waivers. There are ways to get more, often through programs admistered by high guidance. If you personally can afford application fees, but attend a high school where many students may have financial need, you might be able to piggyback on the waiver programs. And if you are a trophy hunter, a news editor will probably choose the inner city kid over the boarding school kid.