<p>The students that I know rejected the “select schools” over USc are doing it because they got better financial aid packages. It is no secret that schools will offer their top 10-15% the best financial offers. So if you are in the bottom 10% at a ‘top ranked school’ with no financial aid, yet getting a great financial aid package to USC, why go in debt of over $200K per year when you can get out with a lot less? </p>
<p>Also, public schools do not pay the amount of money in loans, aid, etc that USC will. So I can definitely see people turning down Berkeley for USc if they are getting aid.</p>
<p>The only precaution to people is to know if the scholarship/financing lasts longer than one year. I know two who went to Loyola and SMU and both of their scholarships lasted only one year. That’s definitely a problem.</p>