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In some cases, the issue is that the parents themselves try to “do the best”. They may sometimes try too hard though even when it may not be justified to do so. Have you ever noticed that some parents would even buy the best toys, shoes or backpack, etc., for their child?</p>
<p>When we gave a bucket of BRIO train set several years ago to one of our close friends who has a preschooler. When she later found out how expensive these wooden toys are, she used the word “a pot of gold” to describe that kind of toy. Looking back, it is apparent to us that it was really not a rational move for us to spend money on that when DS was very young - he even did not play much on that train set. (Likely two sets.) It was a much worse “investment” for our child than the education expenses like tuitions.</p>
<p>The same could apply to the choice of schools for the child. Some even insists that there is a great value to send their child to a private school when their child is in the middle or high school.</p>
<p>BTW, @MiamiDAP, If you or your close relative (the one who live in NYC) never send the kids to any private school at any education level (elementary/middle/high/college/professional school), especially when can relatively easily afford it, I will truly believe that you or they truly believe where the offsprings attend do not matter (to the parents.)</p>
<p>Especially, at the professional school level, I think you are fully aware that there are no lack of CCers who firmly believe that it does not matter whether it is a public school or a private school and it is what they do at their school that matters. But the fact is that both of us send our kids to private ones. You may justify it by the fact that you have saved the money at the UG level and I can justify it by the fact that our kid goes to one that has a limited form of need-based FA policy. – I guess that, in the end, what you have paid totally for UG and grad school is likely about the same as mine (but I think both mom2cg and GAmom likely do pay much less than us totally.) But to those parents who send their child to a public school all the way, they may argue: Why do we save more money by sending our kid to a public professional school because it is what they do at the school, public or private, that matters. So, in a sense, both you and we may have done what many parents occasionally do, i.e., we may do something arguably financially irrational because we may have a little too much desire to give our child the “best” or a potential “edge” no matter how small the edge may be - we may not do this if it is not our own child that is involved.</p>
<p>It is truly each family’s decision, just as you said.</p>