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<p>Every family’s financial situation differs, but from 3 yrs of comparing FA packages for our very basic circumstances (sub-100k salary, savings, no business, trust or other complicating factor), HYP(and I would assume S as well) were substantially better than any other school. I’m talking about a difference in COA of 15k between HYP and Brown/Dartmouth/WUSTL/Amherst/etc. and 22k between Y and Pomona.</p>
<p>That’s why my suggestion is rather than going for the level of schools on the list in the OP which are BOTH admissions and FA sky high reaches, she target some schools that are more likely for admissions and hold the realistic possibility of merit aid. There are some state schools on the lists that may provide a larger student body and merit aid for this student. At a 100k income level, I don’t recommend putting all of your eggs into the need based FA basket.</p>
<p>Just my tough love POV, but psychology is available at just about any college in the country and photography can be done as an EC at just about any college as well. If she does pursue photography, it will be her portfolio, not a degree that will count. With limited finances, some difficult choices must be made by both parents and student.</p>