<p>My son has been accepted SCEA and is deciding between Stanford and Vandy. We don't qualify for any need based aid so the full tuition Chancellor's scholarship at Vandy he's been offered is very appealing. Stanford's $53,000 sticker price is really about $15,000 more than we can afford regardless of what the Financial Aid office says. Plus, we have a younger daughter to pay for in four years so son can't have all the savings. </p>
<p>Regardless of how we push, persuade, and suggest, son still has his heart set on Stanford. He even dropped out of his spring varsity sport so he could get a job and help save. He also intends to work two jobs all summer to further save. He's a great kid and it's hard to say no to him after he puts in this kind of effort - but we have to live in reality.</p>
<p>The question I have is whether it's realistic for him to work 20 hours/week as a freshman at Stanford and still do well in school? I'm thinking that it's probably OK but would love to get some independent opinions. Thanks in advance for your replies. :)</p>
<p>From what I have heard, many kids at stanford are able to manage jobs/clubs/sports AND academics fairly well at Stanford. He is obviously academically strong to get in SCEA, and he seems to be willing to do everything he can to attend Stanford. I think it’ll work. Just my 2c.</p>
<p>It depends on his major and the type of job. Older S worked about 15 hours / wk freshman year at Stanford and it became an issue for 2 reasons, he was taking a heavy “techie” courseload and his job was as a flag football ref. There are great jobs on campus that allow the student to do some reading while “working” ( front desk attendant at the rec center is one). But being a ref required all his time in action. Also Stanford pays very well. I believe it was $12 per hour. Not bad after summers working for minimum wage. In conclusion, if his courseload is not too techie and he takes a job that will allow him to get some work done while he is being paid, then yes it can be done and he can have a life too.
Also, while Stanford has eliminated student loans as part of the financial aid package, you can call the financial aid office and see if they will give your son some student loans to make the burden a little easier on you. He seems very willing to take on the financial obligations of his choice.
Finally, I will say my son believes it is worth it. He turned down a half-tuition scholarship and the standard free ride to the public flagship for Stanford.</p>
<p>^^
Thanks for the reply Curious. The financial aid office did let us know that he could take out Unsubsidized Stafford Loans but the total for all 4 years is presently $27,000. My son is anything but a “techie” and will likely pursue Political Science or International Relations or something in between. The rec. center job does sound like an ideal best of both worlds situation. </p>
<p>I’m thinking at $12/hour and twenty hours a week, he could make around $2,000 per quarter which when combined with summer earnings and the Stafford at least puts us in the ballpark. It’s just that if he chose the “free” $37,000 of tuition at Vandy he wouldn’t have to work at all and could live like a king! But as he tells me, “It’s not Stanford” :)</p>
<p>Glad to help. I also remember a past job listing for a student to record the lectures of various professors. All the student was required to do was turn on the recording device and sit there until the lecture ended. That would allow him to do his poly sci reading. Then after frosh year there will be opportunities for paid “work” for professors in his field. It is a very good lesson in responsibility for the kid to have a stake in his education. The offer from Vandy is great, and i don’t mean to pile on but, your son is right: It’s not Stanford. By the way, my younger son was accepted SCEA also.</p>
<p>I honestly believe that if he is willing to do all those hours and summer jobs to go to a school he loves, you should let him. However, just be clear with him that he does have a family and a little sister to think of, and so, he must consistently work hard (both academically and with his campus work) while he is at college if he really wants this. It may turn out to be a very good lesson, worth more than just Stanford has to offer - you have to work hard to get what you love in this world.</p>
<p>supereagle10: I mean exactly that, it is not Stanford. That is my opinion. I agreee with the OP’s son. If you prefer Vanderbilt, that is your opinion. The discussion here is about workstudy options for a kid who would prefer to attend Stanford rather than receive full-tuition at Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>How is “its not stanford” an opinion? Vanderbilt is different than Stanford for sure but the way it was written to me is that you and the boy seem to think that Stanford is the better school and I know alot of people who would disagree with that. I understand he wants to go Stanford very badly for some reason but turning down an offer like that from Vandy is nuts. I could understand if he was gettng aid from S. Its obviously not my choice but I dont understand why someone would rather stress themselves unnecessarily to attend one school when they could go to a comparable school(lesser only in name) on the cheap. Especially for just undergraduate education.</p>
<p>I do think Stanford is a better school than Vanderbilt. That is my opinion. And there are many who agree with me and disagree with your characterization of the schools as “comparable”. And at what level is it not nuts to turn down a full-ride. Is full-freight at Vandy better than a free education at the state flagship? A small financial aid package at MIT versus the presidential scholarship at Ga. Tech? Where is the line drawn? It is up to the student (who has worked very hard to earn these opportunities) and the parents.</p>
<p>This thread is NOT about who thinks what school is best, or who thinks who is crazy because they think that a certain school is better. </p>
<p>This is about whether it will be possible for a student to work and study at Stanford at the same time.
supereagle10, curious77, hijacking threads is not cool.</p>
<p>well then this thread is pointless. Of course its possible for someone to work and study at Stanford. Hundreds of students are doing it right now.</p>