<p>I think people apply to “safety” schools because they know they will get in and will likely get decent merit money. at least more than at their reach schools.</p>
<p>Pitt was a safety school for my son. When he visited it he liked it a lot. When he got the full tuition scholarship letter I loved the school.</p>
<p>After all his other offers came in and Pitt wa still the best by far, we went to visit agian - he spoke with the CS department head, viisted the fencing club workout, took a tour and decided that Pitt would be good for him. </p>
<p>He is now a very happy sophomore about to declare a CS major and a Physics minor and I am a happy parent not strangled with tuition bills.</p>