<p>Not arguing, warblersrule, but I believe that Tufts is need-based only – if one qualified for a ‘full-ride’ there, they’d also probably be getting significant aid at HYS etc. And while the kids may have an “absurdly careless attitude” toward the costs of college, I doubt that the parents do. The kids won’t qualify for the amount of loans needed to offset a full ride to schools like Rice or WUStL, but the parents will. </p>
<p>Also, fwiw, I think the population that gets full-rides to the schools you mentioned is pretty small – most kids that can gain admittance to the highly selective colleges would have merit aid somewhere else, but it’s often the case that it’s at a school several tiers lower.</p>