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<p>Actually, this is much closer to the example I was offering than the quasi non sequitur response of RML. His rebuttal not only missed the fact that the better value was offered by an instate school WITHOUT scholarships, but also that there was no comparison made to a private school. </p>
<p>What RML missed was that the local state school had a BETTER program than its OOS state peers, and that the cost to attend as an in-state student was a lot less than a OOS school such as Cal could offer. The statement “Unless they’ll give a scholarship stick with your State’s best public university” is not relevant as a instate school will usually be cheaper for its students than any competing OOS state school, with or without a scholarship. In the case I presented, it is pretty clear that a student can attend a program such as Texas’ BHP for a lot less money than attending Cal or UCLA might require. </p>
<p>The issue of scholarships and financial aid really comes in play when private schools are introduced. Again, while my example did not present a comparison between OOS Cal, UT-Texas, and a private school, it was obvious that the private school ended up being the best option. This also means that the OOS was clearly the least attractive on all counts, including academics, cost, logistics, and expected quality of the overall experience. Simply stated, a school that matches 100% of demonstrated need with grants will always be better than a state school that uses mostly loans and leaves a gap. </p>
<p>Obviously, someone blinded by prestige and misguided by faulty assumptions will never understand that the college selection is above all an individual exercise whwre one HAS to remain objective. Circumstances are very different for students needing aid or the lowest cost possible and the students who are able to pay in full. However, it’s pretty easy to look at the data showing the number of OOS students at the institutions listed on the first page of the USNews ranking to ascertain how students make their decision. This is what separates state schools from schools that have more than a local or regional appeal, and clearly establishes the different value for OOS students.</p>