<p>Raiderade</p>
<p>I don’t want to repeat what has already been said (lots of good advice here!). Instead I will tell you about my son’s experience as you may have a similar experience.</p>
<p>My son had the grades to get into a ‘really good’ school but he ended up at a ‘good’ school due to the merit aid they offered him (his high school grades/SAT scores put him in the top 10% for the freshman class). This made this particular school very, very affordable for us, so no loans were needed. A ‘really good’ school would not have offered nearly as much money. So, he went to a ‘good’ college and graduated debt free. Now remember, cream always rises to the top. He applied to grad school at this same school (where the teachers all know him and gave him stellar recommendations) and he received one of the very few grad assistantships with a stipend. So, he is now being paid to go to grad school. A sweet deal. </p>
<p>So, in the end, he came out ahead by going to the ‘merely good’ college. </p>
<p>I wish you well. </p>
<p>Just ignore the comments. They really don’t require any response aside from 'Yes, it really is a lovely day today." ;-)</p>