<p>The fact of the matter is that family priorities can lead to decisions that end up in kids going to schools that are not the best fit for them. I fully believe that some small LAC chock full of high achieving kids, for an example, would be a better choice than commuting to a local college with larger classes, kids who are not as academically prepared and able, lots of adjunct profs, a large commuting/suitcase population. But the finances may dictate the latter choice. I’ve seen it happen many times. </p>
<p>My friend’s daughter cried her eyes red after it became clear that the state U was the only realistic choice she had. She is seeking a BM in voice performance, has a lovely operatic voice and was accepted to a number of excellent programs she coveted because of their reputation, curriculums and teachers. But they gapped her by too much and would require too much in loans. Family just cannot come up with the money due to a lot of circumstances. State U is really financially where she has to go, and she is lucky to have that option. She got enough grant money that she can actually live at the school. Without that, she would have been limited to the few commutable colleges and they do not have the quality of music programs that she should be taking. Money certainly can dictate the quality.</p>
<p>And sometimes it is a better choice to go for that subtantial debt. Home might be dysfunctional and dream school may truly be the best way to go even if it means paying a lot of it for a long time to come.</p>