I think you misunderstood what I meant when I said that sentence. I was basically saying if the opportunities are the same, the ranking is basically the same, I’m not going out of state. Rice has an amazing community, is next door to a medical school which many Rice students do research at, is in the heart of the best medical city in the US, etc. So of course I will pay to go to Rice. The cost isn’t my concern, my concern is losing money to a place that isn’t worth it. I said my family is high income, I will not apply to financial aid and do not expect to get any. With UC’s (UCLA and Berk) they are substantially better in rank, and also the networking opportunities are massive. So I will be willing to go there as well. I’m unfamiliar with them, so I don’t know if I should apply. If I have a chance I probably will. I care about prestige despite pursuing med because I face heavy pressure from my parents and my peers. I know I will end up accepting it eventually if I don’t go to a good school, but because of the environment I was raised up in, I want to try to do my best. For my younger self as well. Thank you for your suggestions. I’ll keep them in mind as I finalize my college list. Can you tell me why you don’t think I have a chance at Rice and where I can improve?