<p>I’m pretty sure there are the same undergraduate opportunities at a big state school like UVA and the ivy HYPs, you just have to learn how to take full advantage without anyone holding your hand. The only advantage to attending a HYP is the illusion of prestige. And even that can backfire–I’ve heard people talk about how “annoying, bratty, spoiled, sheltered,” etc. ivy-league grads can be. Just jealous? Probably. But I wouldn’t want to be associated with that. Anyway, here’s another thing to think about: Why waste the 45,000 dollars a year on undergrad at an Ivy when you can go to UVA, get the same education, and then go to graduate school at an Ivy and get a fellowship or some such wherein they use the money they rake in from the undergraduates to pay for your tuition?</p>