<p>Futurebiomom, who advised you not to consider cost at this stage? I absolutely would, unless you feel certain you can afford any cost of attendance.</p>
<p>It is wise and helpful to investigate whether or not you would likely get any kind of need-based aid (do this by going to the Financial Aid threads on the FA forum, and reading the advice). Many people erroneously believe that they will surely qualify for FA, when in fact, they will not.</p>
<p>When I woke up to that reality during my D’s junior year, it really helped–I was able to help her find schools that we could actually afford. If I’d not considered cost, I’m sure we would have had a list that would not have had many–or any–financial safeties.</p>
<p>If you will have a ceiling on what you can pay, I encourage you to figure it out sooner, rather than later. OOS schools can have a cost of attendance in the high 30s/year --or even into the mid 40s… privates start at the mid-40s and go up (way up) from there. </p>
<p>Just my 2 cents!</p>