<p>^^^^^
You guys, along with my parents, probably think i'm crazy but im about 99.9% sure i will go to Ohio State.</p>
<p>I'm a prospective actuarial science/philosophy/economics major and will be most likely attending the honors collegium at Ohio State.</p>
<p>Why you may ask? Well, not only will Ohio State pay for my tuition, books, room and board etc etc, but they will also give me a stipend of 4,500 to use for personal cost (which i wont need since my parents have been saving up for a while). On the other hand, Stanford will not pay for any fees and my parents will be shelling out 40k a year plus travel expenses. </p>
<p>Also, i am planning to become an actuary where going to a prestigious school has absolutely ZERO effect on job placement. If the actuary gig does not work out (which may happen), my second choice is to become an industrial engineer where Stanford is ranked a little higher than Ohio State (not by much). And my third choice is to go to business school which would be better at Stanford. Basically, im pretty sure ill become an actuary or an industrial engineer where it would be better to go to Ohio State. </p>
<p>Now, hypothetically, if i went to Stanford I would major in economics and try to become an investment banker or management consultant but i really dont think that my parents should shell out around 200,000 over 4 years so i can be worked as a slave at some life consuming job. </p>
<p>Socially, i think i would have to give the edge to ohio state since well since its a state school lol. Also, going all the way to california would be very hard on my parents.</p>
<p>I know this is just a post about my college choice, but what i am really trying to do is to tell people that you don't have to go to the most prestigious school and in some cases, you shouldn't.</p>
<p>Call me a tool, but I think you're crazy! I get you on the money... I really do, but other than that, Ohio State really can't top Stanford in any facet. You said you'd prefer the social scene at a state school--why, if I may ask? </p>
<p>If you are in any way dissatisfied with your high school peers I really don't recommend matriculating at a state school.</p>
<p>I don't know, you have very good reasons NOT to go to Stanford, but at Stanford you will have many more different fields to pursue, and you will have better professors and resources. I think you should go to Stanford.</p>
<p>I understand what your saying, but honestly i dont care if Stanford can top Ohio State nearly all programs. I will have the opportunity at Ohio State to be whatever i want besides being an investment banker or consultant. And if i realized that i really want to be a banker/consultant i could go into a top MBA program and get the job. Stanford is better in MBA placement but Ohio State is not too bad either.</p>
<p>And to tell you the truth, only about 20/420 kids are going to ohio state (thats how bad my school is) and most of them are my friends. </p>
<p>Trust mi, if i knew i would be rejecting Stanford a year ago, i would also think i was crazy.</p>
<p>Uhh...your post can be summed up in a sentence: "I wanna go to Stanford but I'm trying to convince myself that I'll have a better time at Ohio State".</p>
<p>He/she's getting PAID to attend Ohio-State rather than paying $200,000 for Stanford when the education is equivalent. He/she's content with a state school, in the honors curriculum, and has clearly thought it all through.</p>
<p>Lemme think for a moment... what would I rather have for 200,000.... a HOUSE perhaps?!?!</p>
<p>You study hard for 3-4 years in high school, get top marks and test scores, and then decide to throw them all away to go to a middle of the road school instead of one of the top universities in the world? I don't care if they pay YOU to go to tOSU, this is a LIFETIME decision, think about it very carefully before you decide.</p>
<p>"...at Stanford you will have many more different fields to pursue, and you will have better professors and resources..."</p>
<p>A silly remark and completely false. The honors program at Ohio will be a terrific experience and your professors will really get to know you. I think you're making a very smart choice.</p>
<p>If you're willing to work hard I don't think it matters that much where you go to college....at least it won't preclude your success. I think you have done a very nice job of analyzing the situation, however, I think your Dad (II ??) won't be happy!</p>
<p>
[quote]
You study hard for 3-4 years in high school, get top marks and test scores, and then decide to throw them all away to go to a middle of the road school instead of one of the top universities in the world? I don't care if they pay YOU to go to tOSU, this is a LIFETIME decision, think about it very carefully before you decide.
[/quote]
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<p>I dont see it as throwing it away. I didn't try to get top scores just to get into colleges. It was a self motivations thing, where i would try to be the best at whatever i did for myself. I always thought of getting into a top school like an award for my hardwork.</p>
<p>Yea, my parents are not very fond since they have been like saving for 10 years and have sacrificed alot for my to get in but deep down, i think they are happy that they can save their 200,000.</p>
<p>Now they can buy that boat they always wanted!</p>
<p>^^^He's not throwing them all away, obviously since Stanford isn't giving him any aid the aid he's getting from Ohio State is merit aid. He's also going to be in the honors college and will probably finish near the top of the class. He is excited and interested in the school and maybe he would more enjoy the traditional, sports-focused, huge student body feel of Ohio State.</p>
<p>Contrary to what US news has told you, Ohio state is a great school, if its a school he likes AND he's getting paid to go there, It is not crazy at all for him to make that choice over any school.</p>
<p>Ignore everyone. You are the one who will be attending the college for the next four years and you need to choose the school that's right for YOU. (They've given their opinions about what they would do, but they are not in your situation.)</p>
<p>I personally applaud you for not getting all caught up in the "prestige" game and making your own decision -- despite all the "Are you crazy?" comments. You have presented some very logical arguments in favor of attending Ohio State -- cost being a very big one, of course, and also proximity to home. And the honors program there, from what I have heard, sounds great.</p>
<p>Good luck to you. I'm sure you'll learn a lot and do just fine. You sound like a very intelligent and rational person.</p>
<p>Berries, you say that 20 or so kids form your school are going to Ohio, and most of them are your friends... if that's the case, don't you think you need to broaden your horizons? At Stanford, not only will you meet people from outside of Ohio, but from countries that many people have never heard of... attending a school such as Stanford is an unparalleled catalyst for personal growth. You won't experience things the same way at a state school, where the majority of the students will be really rather unremarkable. </p>
<p>Sorry if I sound like a snob, but, well... it's true.</p>
<p>It really is true. Your kind of doing your parents a disservice by not going to Stanford. You yourself say that they've sacrificed a lot to get you there. I really hope this isn't one of those teen moments where you feel like being defiant and making weird decisions. I have those myself sometimes. Really think about this before you commit.</p>