<p>mmm my parents were the same. They just didn’t understand costs of college in America (immigrant parents). I got accepted to a decently ranked college and got a ton of financial aid and they came around. I’m taking out loans, but they’re helping me pay for college.</p>
<p>As for the people who say, “who needs Harvard when you can go to a state school for a fraction of the price!” i.e. “I didn’t get into Harvard, but I took the cheaper route so haha to you.”</p>
<p>Here’s the truth: elite private schools can be cheaper than state schools. shocker huh. </p>
<p>Why? They meet 100% of need whereas many state schools cannot. My friend was accepted to the state flagship (UCLA) and Northwestern. She has to pay 20k at Northwestern vs. 30k at the the state flagship. I guess you don’t hear that often?</p>
<p>Barring any huge merit based scholarship, middle class kids will typically pay less to go to an elite private school. Only at around 150k+ family income, do you start to see the opposite happen. But even then, you would be in the top 10% in America, so I really have no sympathy.</p>