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<p>In recent years, WUSTL has been even more selective than Duke, and as many as 25% of its students have received merit aid. So I hardly think you’d be such a big fish there. </p>
<p>Duke & UNC have big-time collegiate sports, but WUSTL is known for an especially high quality of student life. For the $124K you’d save over Duke, you and your friends could take in quite a few Rams and Cardinals games :). Is it worth $15K/year over UNC? Only you and your family can decide, but that amount should at least be manageable through a mix of “self help” (Stafford loans, summer jobs) and parent contributions.</p>