<p>“Dream car” as an analogy to “dream school”, some people are willing to pay more for better expected reliability and comfort. However, one often over estimate the cost benefit. For those “dream schools”, people may expect a better job opportunity, higher income, etc. At the end, it may or may not worth the extra cost. To me, the reality is I cannot afford sending my daughter to those top schools without significant financial aid. I’ll rather send her to the best second tier school with good National Merit Scholarship. Fortunately, there are a few affordable schools like this ranked among the top ten in her interested field of study.</p>