Is it common for high achieving students mostly go to state flagships?

<p>@thumper1 I’m confused about the Ivy Leagues ad the merit aid question… don’t most ivy leagues largely discount tuition for those who can barely afford it?</p>

<p>For example, take Columbia:</p>

<p>“Parents with calculated incomes below $60,000 a year and typical assets are expected to contribute $0 towards their children’s Columbia education.”</p>

<p>And this topic wasnt to spark ideas for my essay. I just found it interesting how in my school, most students are obsessed with going to a “top-tier college” while in most other schools, it isnt uncommon for top students to go to their state flagship schools.</p>