private preschool?!

I really think it's obnoxious for parents to go through all the steps and interviews to get their 4 year old into a private preschool. They are crazily expensive, and in my eyes just not worth the money. But it seems now that all parents are concerned about are the friends that their children make growing up. They have to be in the "in" crowd, or in a higher social class. But when you really think about it, the friends your children make at age 4 probably won't be the same as when they turn 12. So what's the big deal? I would not go through all the trouble to try and get my child into a private preschool, I'd jsut enroll them in the district that I live in at the time. Seriously parents, save your money for something better and more meaningful for your child later in life!