<p>GoBot,
Oh, regarding the source, I saw a book called something like "What colleges really cost" at the bookstore. I may not remember the exact number but it's definitely not tiny like 4%.</p>
<p>"I was just pointing out maybe many of those who turned down more prestigious schools did so for the money."</p>
<p>Sam, I would think you may be right. Smart students (and their parents) want less debt after graduation, too. If they can get a great education for less investment why wouldn't they accept merit money? :)</p>
<p>I am a current Wash U freshman, A proud member of the class of 2009, and hardly have time to reply to some of the immensely ignorant oppinions voiced on this post. I find, however, that it would be a great disservice to students of the H.S. classes of 2006 and beyond to merely ignore the given proclamations. Many people here have claimed reports, studies, rankings and the like but i speak as a student t of the very institution at question and one who not long ago was using this site to narrow down my options. </p>
<p>In every sense, Wash U is astounding. I say this as a student who spent significant time visiting Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Dartmouth,UPenn, NW,UVA, Duke, and many other excellant institutions. Beyond the extraordinary SAT's and GPA's, in a group of 09' sudents you would likely find that nearly all were valedictorians/club founders/Presidents/researchers/All state atheletes and yes, most rejected offers from the Ivy league. Beyond the students, the professors are amazing and the technology is state of the art. The campus is beatutiful and the social scene is great. Most of all, the attitude is that Wash U is grateful for having such extraordinarily talented students enroll in the University, rather than the "you should be happy that we accepted you" mentality of many other prestigous universities. Wash U spoils us to death and breaks their backs to make us comfortable. </p>
<p>In closing, I merely ask that stats, rankings, and opinions not be tossed around frivolously-or given as absolote truth- with regard to Wash U. Visit the school, they will pay for the trip and food, and you will see the truth for yourself. Disregard the belittling questions of Wash U's mailings, admissions policies, and all of the heresay-experience is the true discriminant. And for the record, I lived on these forums as I went through the application process last fall, trusted the words of CopterMom and Northstarmom, and found their wise words to be the truth. Let the statistics grab your attention, but visit and see for yourself.</p>
<p>BTW- I am a HYP admitee that chose Wash U for more than just money, and the money that I did recieve was far from easy to get. In all, 800 were considered and 30 scholarships(15 full, 15 partial) were awarded.</p>