[seanmcdirmid]

> I met someone who had gotten into MIT but whose family could only afford to send one kid to an elite college, him or his sister.

So they were rich enough that he didn't get exempt from tuition but still could only send one kid to an elite school?

I wonder if the guy was just pulling your leg.

[d2049]

I met him when I was at MIT for Campus Preview Weekend when accepted students visit the school. Is it necessary to assume things in such a cynical fashion?

[leetcrew]

needlessly adversarial. financial aid is a best effort kind of thing, and plenty of people with unusual situations fall through the cracks.

[seanmcdirmid]

I don’t see it like that. People bragging about getting into MIT but not being able to go for some reason is an old meme, it always turns out that they didn’t really get in.

[qnleigh]

Right no one has ever gotten into MIT but couldn't afford it. This has literally never happened.

[lippihom]

Tons of middle class folks are too "rich" to qualify for aid, but not quite wealthy enough to avoid going into severe debt. There's a lose-lose sweet spot that's larger than you think.

[ttyprintk]

I wonder, too. In 1965, 3580 applied, 1532 were admitted, and only 929 enrolled. How many of that 39% had better options than MIT, knowing about the draft?

[relaxing]

His sister got in and he didn’t.