<p>You don’t get the same education at UVA as you do at one of these ‘HYPs’. Seriously, UVA is quite inferior to these schools (many schools are), and if you want to talk about illusion of prestige then UVA falls in that category as well. The environment in HYPs are more conducive to learning and performing well for Echols scholars than at UVA, and the opportunities you have in scientific research are outclassed by these HYPs. Of course, college is often characterized by what you do with it, and you can certainly do a lot more with Harvard’s extensive programs than with UVA’s comparatively mediocre ones (in the context of HYP comparison-- obviously UVA itself is much better than most schools in the US). The main reason, as you’ve stated, not to go to these schools is the cost, but if you can get the aid or the cost matters little, then it may indeed be worth it.</p>