Economy forces 2009 grads to dump dream colleges

[marmar]

AP, via the WaPo:



Economy forces 2009 grads to dump dream colleges

By JUSTIN POPE
The Associated Press

Tuesday, June 9, 2009; 12:08 AM


-- The wretched economy has taught many of the nation's college-bound seniors a hard lesson: You can't always get what you want.

In a survey to be released Tuesday, 71 percent of high schools reported that more of their students are forgoing their "dream schools" this year than in previous years. And there is little doubt money is a big reason.

"With the exception of one or two students, it was THE determining factor in their decision," one high school official wrote. Said another: "Parents were willing to pay for prestige in the past. This year they wanted prestigious schools IF the financial aid packages would work for them."

The survey was conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, made up of high school and college admissions and financial aid professionals. This is the first time the organization has done such a survey; it set out to study students' picks in light of the economic downturn.

Laura Mueller-Soppart, graduating Thursday from Walter Payton College Prep in Chicago, knew Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service was her dream school when she visited last year. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/09/AR2009060900029.html?hpid=sec-education