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Tuition pricing should be based on demonstrated need and real merit, not just the desire of a college to steal a few smart students from a competitor down the street.

What does "real merit" mean? I can't think of any definition that doesn't include trying to bring in more smart students...

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I'm not sure what the article means, but I'd say the way a lot of schools do merit aid is crazy. For example, in law school a few extra points on the LSAT will get you from being rejected to getting a full ride.

And schools are doing that sort of thing entirely because the US News and World Report rankings take into account average LSAT scores. Its just pure gamesmanship. The school doesn't really benefit from having an extra 172 scorer verse a 169. But they'll throw 150k in scholarships at the later.

I think they mean the merit of the institution.

I don't think so, because it's right after "real need" which is referring to students. If it is as you suggest then it's a badly formed sentence.

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