Harvard v Stanford- Opinions, please!

<p>Cigarett101, it sounds like your D made a great choice for her. Congratulations! </p>

<p>As for this:</p>

<p>"I say this because after spending so much time on CC, I am still surprised (and put off) by the posters who feel they (or their child) were unfairly rejected from a specific college."</p>

<p>From what you say, I gather that this is your oldest? I would point out that it is perhaps easier to maintain this perspective having acceptances for Harvard and Stanford in hand. While I'm sure that everyone--included those so afflicted--would agree that it is painful and unwise to obsess about a single school, especially rejection from a single school, I'd suggest that you would be wise not judge how others feel until you have walked a mile in their shoes. </p>

<p>I am happy with my S's choices, and with the choice that he made, but I know that I would not be so sanguine had he not gotten into a bunch of excellent schools that he genuinely was interested in attending.</p>

<p>cgarrett101:</p>

<p>Congrats to your D! What a great thing to have to choose between - both great choices. </p>

<p>I used to scuba dive the Monterey/Carmel area so if she does something with the marine program there maybe she can start diving there as well.</p>

<p>Wonderful news! Biology and engineering are top rated at Stanford and she'll have lots of opportunities to pursue her interests.</p>

<p>Congratulations, cgarrett! I hope your D has a wonderful 4 years at Stanford.</p>

<p>Cgarrett: When I met your daughter I could see how thrilled she was with her Stanford acceptance. What a lovely young lady - congratulations and all the best to her. How nice for you that she'll be relatively close!</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for your good wishes.....secretly I was hoping she's chose Stanford.....but it was her own decision.</p>

<p>Consolation: FYI- No, this D is not my oldest, so I believe I have a little more perspective. My oldest D began at LMU and just transferred to UCSD as a junior. Personally I felt LMU was the perfect school for D1, and never felt it necessary for her to attend a top tier school. </p>

<p>D2 had her sights set on Stanford from age 10, but, even so, we never felt it would be any reflection on her success if she were not accepted. In fact, the night she received her Stanford acceptance, and before she knew she'd been accepted, I told her I would be just as proud whether she was accepted or not; after all, she was still the same hardworking person in either case. </p>

<p>I think that instead of building up our students to think they are entitled to get into an Ivy (or wherever), and setting the stage for devastation when they are not accepted, we all should take a step back and realize it is not THAT important in the long term. What IS important, IMO, is for them to be challenged, and among students with whom they can be competitive.</p>

<p>My H attended NWU and I a very average college and law school, and yet we both worked for the most prestigious law firms in the world. This is why I believe all the obsession with the Ivies, etc., is more destructive than the actual experience of attending an average college, where one can excel.</p>

<p>Just my opinion, based on my both my own experiences as well as my observations here......</p>

<p>Congratulations on the happy outcome.</p>

<p>Congrats! I know that you both must feel that a big weight has been lifted off your shoulders.</p>

<p>Yes MSMDAD! I was worried she would never decide!!! I'm thankful, too, that she wasn't swayed by the "Harvard because it's Harvard" mentality.....although she's not one easily swayed by everyone else having a different opinion than hers...(in fact, last year as class pres. she took a very unpopular position against the fazing (not sure how to spell it!!) of freshmen by the seniors.)</p>

<p>UCSD<em>UCLA</em>Dad-
it's funny you mentioned that- she (D2) has been wanting to get certified. BTW- D1 really likes UCSD, but just dropped another class....oh well, they're all so different (and at least it's cheaper than LMU!) And she's happy....</p>

<p>twinmom- thanks....you are right: I was hoping for Stanford all along, although I tried to keep that to myself. I love the Bay area and the California coastline. Having grown up in Florida (talk about awful public schools), I still am amazed by California's different terrains...</p>

<p>Now I get a three year break....although, now that I think about it, S is at the end of his freshman year of HS, so it will only be TWO years until the process starts.... :D</p>

<p>Congrats Cgarret!!!
It was indeed a pleasure to meet the 2 of you, when your D was still pondering all her options. So nice to be a part of the next chapter!! Again, congrats!</p>

<p>Congrats Cgarret! I'm so happy for your D and for you. I had a feeling she was going to choose Stanford. You'll have to keep us posted on how she likes it there.</p>

<p>Awesome! Fantastic choice. Congratulations! She will love it.</p>

<p>congrats! Now she has to figure out her living quarters. Does she prefer a freshman dorm, or a 4 year dorm?</p>

<p>I chose the 4 year and am glad I did... of course that was back in the jurassic period, but I'm sure it's still there -- Loro.</p>

<p>congrats!!!</p>