Full-Ride at Stanford and Yale.

College Search & Selection
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<p>I am blessed with a full ride at each of these institutions. On my college list, they always shared the #1 spot. I got into both (along with Duke and Madison), something I never anticipated. Now I have no idea what to do.</p>

<p>My mind (and a part of my heart) tells me I should go to Stanford because I'd love a school with a great blend of academics, athletics, and social scene. Also, a lot of my family lives in California, so that'd be nice too. I also love the fact that there will be constant warm, sunny weather. One of my good friends is going to Berkeley, so I'd be able to have her around as well. I hear that San Francisco/the Bay Area is beautiful as well.</p>

<p>What I don't like is that housing is sort of random and breaks/school year start/end don't align with most of my friends, so I will be missing most of them when I come back home. Concerning the quarter system, I like that I'd be able to take more classes, but I am fearful of the rigors that are inherent with such timetables. I dislike the whole idea of the "Stanford bubble" and that there seems to be a disconnect among student groups, probably because the campus is so large. I like the prospects of intellectual discussion--from what I know, it's available here, but you have to make a greater effort to seek it out.</p>

<p>A part of my mind and a part of my heart tells me I should go to Yale because of the grand tradition that comes with its history, the residential college system, and the fact that it isn't too far from New York City and Boston. Also, I might be able to adjust better living at Yale where there are four seasons like in my state. The residential college system is what entices me most about Yale. I can appreciate the close-knit communities that come with each college, and I like that there is potential for obtaining a single and that the suites are generally very nice. I want to feel a part of something, and I think the colleges really facilitate that. Plus, I have a friend who currently attends Yale, so I wouldn't be completely alone. I also do a lot of photography; I know that Yale is great for art and that darkrooms are easy to come by.</p>

<p>I've never been to either coast.
I want to be a professor, doctor, and/or lawyer one day.
I have an interest in linguistics, politics, English literature, and art.
I want to be somewhere where students are not competitive with each other, and it's possible for me to maintain good grades if I decide to go Pre-Med.</p>

<p>I was accepted to Stanford SCEA, so I obviously know much more about why I'd be great at Stanford. But I simply can't not give Yale any consideration. Can anyone edify me with Yale's other great, endearing qualities? I know it seems apparent that Stanford is my match...but I can't seem to shake off this gravitation towards Yale. I can picture myself clearly at either school. I'm generally liberal.</p>

<p>Tell me what to do!</p>

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<p>Put the names into a hat and whichever you pull, you'll go to. :)</p>

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<p>I had the same decision as you last year! I decided to go to Yale, if only because I liv 30 minutes away from Stanford. Both are great choices, so you can't go wrong. I'll put more info later though I need to go for now.</p>

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<p>With a full-ride at Yale, you've got to go to UW-Madison. It just makes sense.</p>

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<p>haha thanks.</p>

<p>anyone else?</p>

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<p>first of all congrats!!! and go to stanford!! it's like almost every person's dream...esp on the west coast</p>

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<p>flip a coin. seriously.</p>

<p>if you don't like the coin's answer, well then, you've got your answer, don't you?</p>

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<p>^ive tried that. i dont like either side's answer, if that makes any sense.</p>

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<p>Is that merit-aid or financial-aid?</p>

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<p>Doesn't Yale only offer financial aid and does not offer merit aid?</p>

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<p>sorry guys, but i was hoping for more answers than questions...</p>

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<p>yeah i didn't think either school offered merit aid...</p>

<p>anyways, rence...CONGRATS first of all! and if i were you, i'd go to yale. but that's just my opinion haha. i mean, you said it yourself-you can see yourself at either school, so either one would more than likely work for you. have you visited both yet? if not, then i'd suggest visiting both first before you make your decision</p>

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<p>Sorry, my question was more an answer to someone else's question, which was a question to be more informed about your situation, so I will answer it for them.</p>

<p>It was financial aid, and not merit aid. Both schools are need-blind and fully meet those in need of aid, and the "full ride" to ivies and need blind schools does not reflect on the abilities of the applicant, but instead on their need for aid.</p>

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<p>I asked my question so i could get a better idea to give you a better option. neither school has any real advantage over the other. Go where the cost of living is cheaper.</p>

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<p>Stanford has more of a technical bent, Yale has more of a non-technical bent. You sound less technical, so I would go to Yale. </p>

<p>You list linguistics, if you are serious about linguistics, I'd probably opt for Stanford, though.</p>

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<p>Hmmm.... you can't lose. Agree about linguistics being outstanding on the Farm.</p>

<p>Re: your comment about intellectual discussions, you will hardly find anything <em>but</em> intellectual discussions around the dining tables at Stanford --- but, Stanford is not an environment in which <em>political</em> discussions will be as common as at Yale. Never confuse outward intensity and competition with inner drive and collegiality. Stanford kids are intense but not as competitive as those at (fill in the name of the elite east coast univeristy -- at least 30)</p>

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<p>First off congrats you must be "hella" (word you will hear constantly if in NorCal) smart. From your orginal post I would say go Stanford. Although not my taste because it is in a bubble, it is a beautiful school and even though its in a bubble- it's a very safe and beautiful bubble. The area Yale is located in isn't very exciting or safe. Also SF is very accessible from Palo Alto and if your friend is going to Berkeley, where I go to school, many Stanford kids come here on the weekings and stay with friends. You'll have a blast in SF/Berkeley with your friend. Last thing is the weather....you can't compare with Bay Area weather. Do you want to be in dreary New Haven weather from November to March?</p>

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<p>First of all, I'm real grateful to the person who managed to resuscitate this barely one day old thread.</p>

<p>Linguistics is just an idea; I really have no substantive understanding of the mechanics of the study; I just have an enduring appreciation for language.</p>

<p>And yes, I do lean more towards Humanities/Social Sciences--I don't envision myself doing anything purely scientific--or especially quantitative--besides something medical. I know Yale is brilliant in these disciplines, but I'm also aware Stanford is brilliant all around.</p>

<p>And I don't know about the whole weather thing sofla951...I can really, <em>really</em> appreciate nice weather, but I've never been without the four seasons (not to imply that I have a penchant for snow), so I'm sure the climatic shock wouldn't be so dramatic if I went to Yale, you know?</p>

<p>How are the art facilities at Stanford and Yale? Would I have equal access to darkrooms at both? Black and white photography is an integral piece of my life that I would rather not abandon just because I'm entering college or majoring in it.</p>

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<p>Go to Yale. Its Yale. HYP first and then Stanford. Stanford is excellent, but everyone on the planet knows Yale.</p>

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<p>rence, actually, some of the things you like/dislike about Stanford you'll find at Yale too. </p>

<p>The "Stanford bubble" isn't much different from the "Yale bubble" -- just for different reasons. Yale has superb student organizations, a rich social network and students who love it there too. </p>

<p>The vibe is a bit different at both schools: Yale is more outwardy competitive, Stanford a bit more laid back on the outside (and just as competitive inside.) Someone wrote about Harvard/Stanford that Harvard is more nakedly ambitious and Stanfod is just more naked (think summer clothes.) Yale is more urban, Stanford suburban. Yale's architecture is faux-Cambridge, Stanford faux-Taco Bell. (OK that was mean, I know.) Stanford would be a gateway to explore northern California (though-warning, it's hard without a car!) Yale would be a base to explore NYC and all the riches of the East Coast (where buses/trains make traveling relatively easy.) Oh, and it's cheaper to fly to Europe from that coast, too. ;) </p>

<p>By the way -- Stanford DOES get cool, foggy & wet weather. It's not San Diego. </p>

<p>My thought is you need to really try to PICTURE yourself at either school and go with a gut feeling which one would seem more appealing/interesting over four years. As everyone on this thread has said -- you can't go wrong.</p>