<p>My friend’s really smart son accepted at a mid-level state school because his girlfriend could get in. He turned down a great scholarship at a much higher rated private. They broke up over the summer before freshman year.</p>
<p>He got to school in the fall and was miserable, never felt comfortable, eventually failing out. Kids are happiest among peers at “match” schools, surrounded by kids of roughly equal intellect and interests. Being outside the norm of the group on either side is limiting.</p>