<p>Although my S would love to attend Stanford, he has been offered the NMS scholarship at Auburn which covers mostly everything. Stanford would cost about $14K a year and I am wondering if the cost is worth it. He visited Auburn about a month ago and really liked the school. However, California weather is nice and Stanford is a top program in his chosen field of Aerospace Engineering. </p>
<p>One other thing, S also got accepted to CalTech for $9600/year. That would cover everything. He is visiting right now… arrived last night. CalTech is #1 in the world in Aerospace. I have read quite a few posts on the value of a free education but… Stanford/CalTech are both incredible schools. Any comments???</p>
<p>We would be able to afford the cost without loans for parents but with $3500 in loans for S if he went to Stanford… we would have to cut back and make a few sacrifices but are willing to do it. Also, have another S going to college next year (current Junior) and we have to consider him. We would be able to help each out with about $8-10K per year.</p>
<p>I would actually have to pay about $3K at Auburn because Auburn does not take into consideration travel and books while each of the other two have included this in the financial aid offer and made pretty accurate allowances for them.</p>
<p>Suggestions… experiences???</p>
<p>Accepted at the #1 in the world in his field, and you can afford it without debt?
Presumptive favorite; unless the atmosphere or the campus absolutely repels him.
One caveat – if he doesn’t like the major, how easy is it to find another major
at the school he chooses?</p>
<p>minnphd… that is one issue. CalTech is a STEM school and although I can’t see him getting out of the engineering field, you never know. I think he may switch to Computer Science/Engineering and in that field, Stanford and CalTech are near the top. Stanford does offer the more typical college experience though… sports, clubs, etc. Stanford has about 15K students while CalTech has around 2200.</p>
<p>First, congrats to your S – what an enviable position to be in right now, considering how many students have been placed on waitlists and are scrambling to figure out what’s next. </p>
<p>As much as I think Auburn and its engineering school are a phenomenal value, if my D were in your son’s shoes, we as a family would seriously consider the Cal Tech offer. If you can financially swing this without too much stress, I can’t see a better opportunity. Unless he just really dislikes the small numbers, or has a mad passion for Division I sporting events, Cal Tech is probably the best choice. Of course, whatever you save by taking the AU offer could be used for graduate studies later, which could ultimately lead right back to an institution like Stanford or Cal Tech.</p>
<p>I realize fit will probably a determining factor. His latest visit will likely help decide how this all plays out. Looking down the road, I’m sure you’ll want to consider what types of academic opportunities (nat’l prestigious, grants, internships) may be available to your S. While Tech and Sanford probably have obvious benefits in research opps. and internships/fellowships, the competition at both these schools will make involvement a little tougher. The sheer number of possibilities however, may cancel out the more competitive aspect of the institutions. </p>
<p>I wish your family all the best on this decision. I hope we may be saying “war eagle” to you someday! It sounds like any of these schools (especially AU) would be very fortunate to have a student like your son.</p>
<p>S took full ride at Auburn over Cal Tech and others. His reasoning was that he will attend grad school and with success at Auburn, he should get into a more prestigious grad school. In the meantime, Auburn is awesome and he loves it.</p>
<p>Congratulations! Wat Eagle!</p>
<p>WAR EAGLE!
Big congrats to your family – hope my D runs into your S sometime. She is so excited about moving on to college, and the great opportunities at AU.</p>
<p>My S also was offered a full ride for NMF, and to an excellent LAC in midwest. He decided to go the University of Virginia (instate). I know it’s hard to pass up those full ride offers, but I think in the end it’s truly worth the cost. If you can afford $14,000 yr., that is an incredible deal for Stanford :O. </p>
<p>I hope your S will head to Stanford! What an amazing opportunity!</p>
<p>Lots of good advice here. There is a big difference in “feel” between these schools. Personally, I’d drop Auburn from the list and chooce between CalTech and Stanford. Congrats!!!</p>