Full ride at State U or an Ivy-League/very prestigious school?

College Search & Selection
41

<p>krmelk89 has a good point. I agree that most of the people just want to say they go to a certain prestigious school. There's no doubt that it will make you look good in other people's eyes, but in the end, it is still your life and it all depends on how you pursue it.</p>

42

<p>This is all very interesting. If I'd go the Oklahoma route, even if it required an extra year, I'd be entering with sophomore status because of my bajillion AP credits. It probably wouldn't be the same with Stanford. It's a stressful situation, but there could be worse ones!</p>

43

<p>^^If you have 5's on your AP's, I think you probably could get out of the intro math and science classes (single-variable calc, bio, physics, chem) at Stanford.</p>

<p>Stanford is not all that stressful from what I've heard. Have you ever been on that campus? It's very relaxing...</p>

44

<p>FredFred, I would choose Stanford but it depends on the state school. If it were UCLA/UCB then it's entirely different story. I would choose UCLA/UCB over Stanford. But keep in mind the alumni network for Stanford is very strong.</p>

45

<p>Stanford's engineering program is tops. I wouldn't turn down the opportunity unless the public school is also very strong in engineering (i.e. UIUC, Cal, Mich, UCLA). </p>

<p>Also, I was talking with a GSI who was a chemE at Stanford, and he said it's not very stressful over there (compared to Cal engineering, at least =P).</p>

46

<p>Fred, </p>

<p>I'd take the free ride at Oklahoma IF you are certain you want to major in ChemE. The program is very well recruited by oil/gas/chemical/energy companies. For undergraduate engineering, employers don't pay a premium for graduating from a more prestigious program. The difference lies in recruiting opportunities...and for ChemE's in Oklahoma, you're in the heartland.
ChemE's are very well paid out of college, and to get the degree without debt is a huge plus.</p>

<p>However, IF you are leaning towards a career in finance, I would choose Stanford. Employment opportunities in finance will easily pay for the more expensive 'furd degree.</p>