<p>I can understand that angle not making or breaking a choice for you, but a huge point of college is also prepping you to be successful in the career you choose. EVERY college wants to prep you to take the lead-again, that’s kinda the point- but who would want to go to a school where one wouldn’t graduate feeling confident that they could? So I still encourage you to look into the leadership development & opportunities that Smith or any school for that matter offers. Even though, again, maybe it isn’t The Deciding Factor for you.</p>
<p>My twin sister started college at the same time as I did & her costs pushed into >$10,000/yr, even with a merit tuition scholarship. Smith has their own standards of how your need is measured (they re-calculate your EFC themselves which obviously will hurt, help, or not make a difference depending…) and I’m pretty sure assets are still very much taken into account. We own our home & have been able to/are extending our home equity line of credit a lot if it means anything to you.</p>