Most Ivy has means testing calculator that will tell students what their tuition would be.
In the days of internet, I actually found it surprising that many of these brilliant students didn't know that they can get free rides at Ivys.
In the days of internet, I actually found it surprising that many of these brilliant students didn't know that they can get free rides at Ivys.
You're right about the score. My guess is that these schools have different yardstick for rural + low income factors. And more importantly, they have billions in endowment to be able to 'afford' the fancy yardstick.
This is a non-trivial case of jootsing if you aren't already immersed in a culture that brings you most of the way to asking the question. It's a serious test of reflective intelligence, unlike SATs and acquiring grades and conforming to the college admissions process which are pretty much all about algorithmic intelligence (using Stanovich's terminology).
It's no different than asking "will google hire me" when you're applying for jobs. Most people won't even consider google thinking that the bar is too high, when it may not be for a given individual.
This is different than the FAFSA. When I last filled it out, the FAFSA had an option for you to send a link to your parents, so they could fill in their information without disclosing it to you. Unfortunately, money is a taboo topic in American families, and I don't doubt that many applicants feel more comfortable using this option.