Don't underestimate AP classes. It will not be easy to get 5s on the tests.

One thing to consider: money. Unless your parents are rich, you'll want scholarships (on the flip side, if you're poor, it makes it easier to get scholarships). Scholarship people like good grades, good SATs, AP & honors classes, school clubs and volunteering. Most conselors and college admittance people put taking honors classes over a perfect GPA.

Also, state schools are generally much cheaper than well-known private schools. Usually, this just means you get bigger bang for you buck. Its also why I'm at a state school and hoping to get into a prestigous school for my masters (with the tuition paid by some big engineering corporation).

Crazed Rabbit