<p>Well, still no replies after a full day. You deserve some sort of reply.</p>
<p>First, you need to be clear with your parents that you respect their financial limitations. If you are going to accept their financial support, then you are obligated to be appreciative and respectful of their limits. </p>
<p>Past that, I believe the benefits of a more respected institution are clear. It is always true that you can do very well and succeed from any school. Yet the bottom line is that kids from more academically strong schools will have more opportunities. So it isn’t about options; you will have good options whereever you go. It is about odds. Coming out of Wash U with good grades is an advantage over kids coming out of most state schools. That is just the way the world works. </p>
<p>I have one S at a state school and one at Wash U. Both are happy with their choices. You will do fine anywhere, but if you go to Pitt or Penn St, you will need to be more disciplined if you want to compete with kids from a place like Wash U coming out.</p>