Okay, since I'm in the process of applying to professional schools, I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what's going on. The schools that can afford to do this--Boalt being a prime example--have more than enough money to fund most of their class, so it's not a choice between fellowships and out-of-state trips. I'm telling you, if my first choice accepted me AND offered to fly me out/called me/etc, you BET I'm going.
The schools know what they're doing, especially top-rate state schools like Berkeley, who have to compete with the Harvards and Yales for top applicants--and have to do that much more. More power to them.
Maybe I should switch to business or law, instead of architecture.
