<p>People focus on the top of the totem pole so much.</p>
<p>I think that being full-pay would help at those LACs that generally only have a regional reputation, as they really need them for their finances to work.</p>
<p>BTW, being full-pay <em>may</em> help as a transfer to USC. It won’t get you in if you’re too unqualified, though.</p>