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Economy Forces 2009 Grads to Dump Dream Colleges

The wretched economy has taught many of the nation's college-bound seniors a hard lesson: You can't always get what you want.

In a survey to be released Tuesday, 71 percent of high schools reported that more of their students are forgoing their "dream schools" this year than in previous years. And there is little doubt money is a big reason.

"With the exception of one or two students, it was THE determining factor in their decision," one high school official wrote. Said another: "Parents were willing to pay for prestige in the past. This year they wanted prestigious schools IF the financial aid packages...