Who ISN'T going to the highest-ranked school they got into? Why?

[laurrk]

I'm curious, how many people are going to a school that isn't the "best" (in rankings) that they got into? Why did you make that decision?

My options:
BU - waitlisted
Case - $20k/year
UCONN - no $
Syracuse - $27,800/year
Quinnipiac - $25k/year
Cleveland-Marshall - free in-state tuition
WNEC - full tuition

I'm going to Syracuse, unless I mail a seat deposit to another school in the next few days. I chose Syracuse partially because of geography and partially because I got a bigger scholarship there than at Case.

[Stuje1]

My top 5 Choices right now are:

Iowa-22
BC-27
UWashington-27
Indiana-36
Colorado-48

I haven't decided which one yet, but I am seriously considering them all.  I have kept colorado in the mix, despite it being one of the lowest rank schools I've been accepted to (see my signature for list).  The reasons I would choose the lower ranked schools are because of: Location (Geographic and the city/town they are in), Student Atmosphere, Cost, Weather, Facilities, etc.

I don't think there is much difference +/- 10 or so spots in the rankings.   Choosing a school 26 spots lower though might be a little difficult, as that likely reflects some actual important factors, like national prestige and job prospects.

[Terabithia]

I got into a TOP 25 school and may be choosing another T1, not in the top 25.

[bass]

I am down to Yale and, if accepted, Harvard.  I will go to Harvard.

[jubilee27]

I got accepted to Penn State, which I was really excited about, but they offered me $1200. That's it! Willamette offered $16,000, so where do you think I'd pick over the two. A girl's got to eat!

http://lawschoolnumbers.com/display.php?user=akgirl

[gibros]

In at GW, BU and WashLee...but I'm going to Notre Dame for the scholarship money (and the football). I few ranking slots is arbitrary.

[Lax11Slice]

I got into some higher ranked schools, but I'm goin to Syracuse unless my visit goes horribly next week.

Money, Money, Monnay, Monnay.  and the MPA program that was ranked 1st a couple years ago but the way SU's rankings go I'm sure there last or something by now.

[flydog]

I got into 2 Tier 2 schools (Denver and UOP) but Im going to Whittier (T4) because I was offered a full ride and I want to work in LA/OC when i graduate.

[somniferum]

I'm attending Ole Miss over Bama.

Attending because
1)I am 90% sure I will remain in Mississippi after graduation
2)Bama would be around ~50k more tuition.

[toomuchhype]

Hypothetical ?

Would it be insane if someone were to go to UMiami over a much higher ranked school (eg, UNC or William and Mary)? Would it make that much of a difference?  Also, consider in-state tuition at the applicable schools when answering and no scholarship money.  (Pls dont remark that its impossible not to receive a scholarship at miami and get into a school ranked around 27, just assume someone barely slips in at such a school.)