<p>Hundreds of thousands of people have been there, if not millions. It is a dramatic scenario that is repeated every spring. But I think you are totally making the right decision, especially since, as you say, your EFC will go up soon. There was a great post the other day from a student that was tippy top coming out of high school and for similar reasons chose a “3rd tier” school. She is now ready to graduate and is in great shape for grad school. Oh wait, I just remembered her screen name. Going to find it…</p>
<p>Here you go, maybe this will help. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/905843-top-student-3rd-tier-school-four-years-later.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/905843-top-student-3rd-tier-school-four-years-later.html</a></p>
<p>I think I speak for everyone that while we hate to lose such an obviously talented presence at Tulane, we wish her nothing but extraordinary success and fun at USM. She will be a star there and it does sound like they have a super commitment to the program. That will help a lot. Sleep well, she will have a wonderful time there and you will have a few dollars more in the bank to help later.</p>