<p>"I really don’t understand the concept of financial aid. If you want to go to a prestigious school, you either have to be poor, wealthy, or brilliant. The upper middle and lower upper classes are at such a disadvantage! "</p>
<p>Since Cornell and a handful of other “prestigious” colleges grant FinAid based on need and not being “brilliant”, your logic doesn’t flow here. It’s their money to give away – they set the rules. If your family’s income and assests are such that cutting back on vacations allows you the ability to full pay at Cornell, then you get no sympathy from me.</p>
<p>I recruit in a large urban school district with the lowest HS graduation rate in the country. About 1 in 100 9th graders will graduate from college in 8-9 years. And I’m just talking about any four year college – nothing like Cornell or Ole Miss. Since you’re a potential History major, maybe reflect back on the privilege you’ve enjoyed to this point. It’ll give more meaning to what you study.</p>