Help me decide between Stanford and other schools.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
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<p>Okay, so I got into Stanford, Berkeley, UCLA, and other schools that while are top-notch, I'd rather not attend because of their location. I understand that most people would choose Stanford over the other two I'm considering, but the thing is that I've lived in Stanford, California all my life. My father works at SLAC and my mother is a doctor at the hospital so Stanford has been a big part of my life. While I love Stanford -- because I've pretty much treated it like my playground -- I really want to explore other places. I've also recently attended the College Welcome Day at UCLA and I loved it and therefore am seriously considering it. </p>

<p>Question: Will I really be losing that much if I attend UCLA or possibly Cal? Is it worth it to sacrifice the "name" (not that I care, honestly) for a different environment? </p>

<p>I know that Stanford is in the top five, but should I attend UCLA anyway? Please tell me what you think. :)</p>

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<p>In almost any other case, I'd suggest going to Stanford. But college is about personal growth. So if Stanford would stunt that growth, go elsewhere.</p>

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<p>massromantic, what are you planning in majoring in? also, take finaid into consideration (if it is indeed an issue for your family).</p>

<p>if you don't mind my asking, how were your stats?</p>

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<p>GPA: 3.9 UW rank of 6/300
SAT: 2190 CR: 800 W: 700 M: 690</p>

<p>I had a hodgepodge of ECs but the ones that probably stood out were the activities devoted to art. I've sold quite a few of my paintings and am very passionate about art (I also wrote about it in my essay) so I think that helped me stand out a little. Other than that, I'm pretty average compared to most Stanford admits and even many applicants. I'm surprised that I was accepted.</p>

<p>Fortunately, money isn't an issue for my family. :) & I plan on majoring in Philosophy.</p>

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<p>oh congrats. are u urm?</p>

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<p>Thanks. I'm actually quite Caucasian. Haha.</p>

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<p>lol, well i'd give anything to get into stanford next year... lol</p>

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<p>If you really like UCLA go there! UCLA has great people and a great atmosphere. Plus, the weather is great and so is the city. If Stanford's reputation doesn't mean that much to you, then try something new and go to UCLA.</p>

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<p>For the record, UCLA has a fantastic philosophy department, on par with Stanford and within the top 10 of all universities in the US.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.philosophicalgourmet.com/overall.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.philosophicalgourmet.com/overall.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>It's true, as does Berkeley. Stanford phil will give you, on average, much smaller classes than the other two schools. I've heard UCLA's program is very logic-oriented, and particularly good with philosophy of language, but many other options are there as well, quite a broad array, really. Berkeley also offers a broad array of philosophy, including a lot of continental philosophy and critical (in the German and French departments and the Rhetoric departments, for instance). </p>

<p>If you're interested in art, the Bay Area is a great place to be, of course. LA should also be good, but I think the Bay Area would be better. You should check out Berkeley (blasphemous, I know, your parents will disown you ;) ), but if you think UCLA is it for you, that's great.</p>

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<p>Since you're majoring in Philosophy, grad school will be important to you. Stanford will definitely be more impressive to Grad schools than UCLA, and probably Cal too.</p>

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<p>Top students at each school go onto to fantastic graduate and professional programs, although certainly Stanford sends the biggest percentage total and sometimes the most students to certain program (such as its own law school, and Yale law).</p>

<p>Although I don't like the seemingly underlying assumption of philosophy = probably useless behind your post. ;)</p>

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<p>The academic opportunities you will find at Stanford will be unmatched at public schools four times the size of Stanford. The philosophy program has a lot of interesting aspects to it, like a program in Ethics in Society, which is an amazing program. </p>

<p>"The name" shouldn't be a factor to you, but academics should be. You'll find a much more personal environment at Stanford.</p>

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<p>LA > Palo Alto</p>

<p>I know tons of people who have rejected top notch colleges for "public" schools. They have no regrets.</p>

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<p>DRab, is the class size difference between Cal and Stanford specific to the Phil. Depts? Because on average, campuswide, there is practically no difference:</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=165910&page=2&pp=15%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=165910&page=2&pp=15&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I'll make a quick case for Berkeley as an alum: of the three, it's clearly the school with the most stimulating environment. The amount of growth and cultural stimulation in and around campus is phenomenal. </p>

<p>For instance, I've met and befirended a world-reknown Heidegger scholar and close associate of Derrida at a Berkeley cafe. He was teaching at Cal State Stanislaus, commuting 2 hrs each way 2-3 times a week in order to live in what he felt was the most academically and culturally stimulating place in Northern CA. I've learned a lot about philosophy from him (I was an engineering major.) He had an amazing circle of friends, including many visiting young artists and writers from Europe (he was French.) </p>

<p>As an undergrad, I've had conversations with people like Charles Townes, Gerard Debreu and many other lesser-known academics, artists and luminaries, as well as interesting characters and people from all walks of life, countless countries and all social backgrounds. For me, that was a cherished part of my undergraduate education. Berkeley was such a vibrant and interesting place.</p>

<p>At Stanford, IIRC over 90% of students live on the expansive campus, surrounded by PA and Silicon Valley. It's a great environment if you're a 30-something tech worker, but maybe too much of a bubble if you're a young philosophy student...</p>

<p>At UCLA, the cultural offerings are more sparse and spread out, and the culture centered around the media/Hollywood tends to be quite shallow. As well, there is much less of a pedestrian experience and the campus is a bit more of a commuter school than Berkeley, where the majority of students live near campus or in the city.</p>

<p>You don't lose much in terms of the "name" between Berkeley and Stanford, if at all. It's more about "cachet" and the private school experience, which is something that a philosophy student shouldn't be concerned with.</p>

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<p>Oh c'mon, CalX, while the statistics are true, my friends at Stanford paint a more full picture. She thinks the average class should have 5-7 students in it. Total. With the professor. This doesn't happen that often at Berkeley. Sure, she has 300 people classes, and 100 people classes, but the complete small ones are also there. These are far more rare at Berkeley and UCLA. Otherwise, I agree with your post.</p>

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<p>i'm probably going to opt to go to cornell or university of pennsylvania over ucla, but here are my two cents</p>

<p>stanford's been my dream school forever, and i would definitely choose stanford over any school. me being a southern california native though, i have to admit to myself that i take a school like ucla for granted. i got accepted to ucla but i kind of cringed at the thought of going there, even though i really did love the campus when i visited for engineering open house. even though ucla turns me off since it's so close to the place i've called home, i realize that there are kids all around the united states that would dream to go here. </p>

<p>personally, i think northern and southern california are two different states. southern california weather is farr superior to that of northern california, and there aren't too many places in the world that enjoy better weather. ucla's campus is nestled in a nicer part of LA, and the facilities at the school are all great. there will be no doubt that you will find your niche there as far as people goes, considering all the people that go there..... my point is, even though i've ruled out ucla from my decision, my impression of the school is very high. you shouldn't feel ashamed for turning down stanford in favor of ucla, as ucla's a fantastic campus with boundless opportunities. just be aware that since ucla's such a bigger school, you might feel a little small among all the people in your classes</p>

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<p>Hey massromantic, I like the New Pornographers and am thinking about majoring in philosophy. I wonder if theres a connection?</p>

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<p>My philosophy professor last semester liked that band and was obviously a PhD in phil (from Berkeley in the classical philosphy program). I've never heard much from them- are they good?</p>

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<p>Oh yeah they're probably the best indie pop band out there. All three albums are awesome, but Twin Cinema, their latest, is a perfection. </p>

<p>One phd and two prospective phil majors. Hmm this has to be more than a coincidence</p>