<p>Short answer: Yes, they will judge you a little, even if it may be untrue. Just try to not bring it up if possible. I haven’t found it to be a huge problem, except in explaining to friends why I’m forgoing my eating club this year (senior year) in order to save up some cash. I think people do understand though that it’s possible to afford Princeton, but uncomfortably do so.</p>
<p>My parents together make about $220,000 and I received no financial aid. Yes, it is feasible for them to pay for my college education since my siblings are much younger, but no, it’s not easy. We haven’t gone on vacation the past 2 years, my parents’ cars are both over 9 years old and we just refinanced our mortgage to get more cash. You’d be surprised how far 6 figures does NOT stretch in a suburb.</p>