we had the same issue with our daughter who was choosing between u of m, our instate school and washington university in st louis. because many kids in her class got into u of m and it is just 30 minutes from our home, she felt that it was not all that special. However, the 50,000/year difference in tuition to us ( we have an MET plan so we would now only have to pay room and board) was too much of a difference for us for her to go to wash u. it just did not make sense. so she is going to u of m. We are hoping that once she is there, she will realize how great a school it really is.