I agree with you, but my point was only that paying (or simply taking a loss by paying rent in NYC for the Summer) might actually be rational on the student's p

I agree with you, but my point was only that paying (or simply taking a loss by paying rent in NYC for the Summer) might actually be rational on the student's part. Whether or not the firm receives the payment makes little difference to me in this case although I do appreciate the distinction. My comment about Google charging certainly could have led one astray.