If a kid has whatever it takes to get accepted to Elite colleges, in most cases, this student is up for a long road of college + Grad. School. Keeping this in prospective, I do not see any reason whatsoever to spend $$ for college education as this type of very high caliber student can definitely obtain acceptance to many places that will offer full tuition / free ride Merit scholarships. Why to chase all these expensive (for you!) schools? If the goal is a Grad. school (and in most cases of such high caliber student, it is a goal), just attend any college that seems to fit you for free or close. Do not underestimate the fact, that the hard work there is cut out for you, no slacking. It does not matter that you graduated #1 from one of the best HSs in your state and decided to attend at your in-state public. You still will need to adjust your academic efforts upwards at college considerably to accomplish your goals, or you will be derailed like many others who did not realize it on day 1 of their first college semester. Work hard at ANY place and do whatever else is required to achieve your ultimate goal and you will be fine graduating from any UG, the lowest of the lowest ranked unknown college. It is up to you and not the place to achieve your goal. Not many high schoolers realize that, better yet for those who do. More Merit scholarships are available for them, they rip great benefits of not having student loans after graduating from Med. Schools, Law Schools, other Grad. schools of their choice.