<p>Don’t know bj921. He has a 1570 SAT, and an excellent GPA from a rigorous prep school but no outstanding hooks. Was deferred at UVA, his first choice, and was all set to go to BC, his second choice. But BC did not offer a dime, and did not seem as welcoming as Tulane. He decided to visit New Orleans and check it out, and now it looks like that is where he is going. Now the money does make a difference, but the family can afford the cost without aid. Tulane is at the point where such families do pause with that merit aid, whereas he could go free to State U and some other options, that they are not considering. They would prefer to pay for BC. But Tulane, is a different story. The value between the two schools is about equal to this family, and though the familiarity of BC is a bit more comforting, with the kid now liking Tulane better, and the merit money there…well, it does tip the scales. I would say in a few more years, Tulane will be able to reduce the amounts of this aid, and still attract such students, as the name recognition increases in the NE from attracting kids like this one.</p>