She says she applauds Princeton's move becauseit gave some students greater choice in highereducation, but says that even after the changesthe cost of a Princeton education was often higherthan Rutgers' $4000 full annual tuition.
"When [high-achieving] kids come here, theycome here virtually free," Winterbauer says. "Thiswill make Princeton more competitive, but Rutgersis already a first-quality education at an almostfree price."
The Consumers
Princeton's changes have been well publicizedamong universities and reported in the BostonGlobe and the New York Times, but their pressreleases are still on the way to most high schoolguidance counselors.
Still, counselors say that from what they haveread of the plan, it could have a profound affecton some students' college choices.
"For next year, it certainly will impact [how Icounsel students]," says Gordy C. Axtman, guidancecounselor at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School."To students from a low socio-economic background,now this school says we're actively recruitingyou, and providing resources for you to use."
Leslie S. Goldberg, a professional collegeconsultant in Hingham, says that between twootherwise equal schools, the specter of paying offloans after graduation could push high schoolseniors to a school offering more grants.
"I would hope that the decision wasn't justbased on more grants," Goldberg says. "I'd hate tosee that as a determining factor, but reality saysthat it is."
Parents of college-bound students will be theones most attracted by the changes, according toRosemary Garcia, a guidance counselor at the BronxHigh School of Science in New York.
She says Princeton's greater attractiveness toparents could have indirect but powerful influenceon their children's choices.
"[Cost] is something that every student isgoing to consider," Garcia says. "But parents aregoing to be the most influenced, and they aregoing to sway [their children] one way oranother."
Still, Garcia says that for her students"Harvard is such a draw, no matter what it costs."At Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, guidancecounselor Carol Katz agrees that the changes mightnot significantly dull Harvard's competitive edge.
"Harvard has always been fair in aidingpeople," Katz says. "I don't think I know ofanyone who turned away from Harvard because [offinancial considerations]."
She says she also doubts that Princeton'spolicies, applied to a pool of far fewer than2,000 accepted students, would give it far moreclout in the competition for the most qualifiedapplicants.
"It's not like it's City University [of NewYork]," she says. "Princeton has to accept youfirst--you have to get in in order to benefit."