<p>dobiemama, I agree wholeheartedly. I think the problem is also compounded by guidance departments throughout the country, who constantly harp on “reach” schools (I partly believe they do this so they can have bragging rights as to where their students are accepted) and the nonsense about “private schools can often offer so much money, they become comparable to state schools”, something I have yet to see (going by my own two daughters’ experiences and many of their friends). Maybe that happens for valedictorians or the next Itzhak Perlman, or a bassoon player, but it doesn’t for most. If a private school offers even $20,000, it’s still not close to the state school. And when they talk about aid, the fact that part (or all) of what is offered are loans is kind of glossed over. The problem is, as I’ve seen stated so many times on this board, is that so many of us are too rich for financial aid (NOT loans!), and too poor to pay for college. I really hope things work out for you and your son. To the OP, definitely ask the studio teacher to vouch for you - emphasize that this is your first choice school and that you REALLY REALLY want to go there. We just did this with my daughter at Ithaca and squeezed another $8000 from them in addition to what they originally gave her (and if they hadn’t, she would have gone to the state school, probably pouting about it at first, but I think she would’ve been OK once she was there and in the thick of things - and I hope dobiemama, if your son ends up in this situation, that he’ll OK with it too). Like dobiemama says, do not take on an enormous amount of debt! Best of luck to all.</p>