<p>HUNT:
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<p>^HUNT’S post is a sober and factually accurate post in a field of somewhat defensive and resentful posters. </p>
<p>You can read all the magazines and blogs you want about the lack of benefit of prestigious schools and horrors of borrowing, but as someone who paid their own way through a top ranked private undergrad and subsequent public graduate school, there is a difference. (I also have a son in an Ivy and another in a big state university at the same time right now). Everything Hunt said is correct. I’d only add that there are advantages to the famous school; whether they are worth it or not is up to the student, but some schools ARE just so scary amazing we in good conscience couldn’t deny my son simply because of money. The interviews, contacts, faculty references, internships, and academic rigor are superior at the elites. </p>
<p>Debt is part of modern life, and the extent and future ability to handle it is what matters. After inflation and job growth, the monthly payback amount after 7+ years is not oppressive if the parent and child share in the repayment.</p>