<p>Tyler09, you need to visit Michigan and Stanford IN PERSON to get a feel of the campuses. I think your comments that Michigan is too "big" are somewhat exaggerated. I work at the university, and I have become accustomed to the size of the campus. It's really easy to navigate the campus. Most students take courses on Central Campus.</p>
<p>DO NOT CHOOSE A SCHOOL BASED ON WHAT YOUR PARENTS WANT. My mother wanted me to go somewhere else, but I chose NU. I enjoyed my experience there, and she was happy for me. I made the right decision for MY needs.</p>
<p>Where do you want to live afterwards? As others have mentioned, Stanford has a large California student population. If you don't know anything about the West Coast, it would become somewhat a culture shock to you.</p>
<p>Stop looking at the prestige of the brand and look at which schools offers the most overall fit (academic, social, financial, professional) for your sake. Michigan just gave you a great financial deal, visit the school and see if it's truly worth FOUR YEARS staying there. Remember, YOU ARE GOING TO COLLEGE, NOT YOUR PARENTS.</p>
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DO NOT CHOOSE A SCHOOL BASED ON WHAT YOUR PARENTS WANT.
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... with the modifier that if your parents are going to pay for school then they at a minimum have a say as to what 'price' school you can attend based on what they can afford. Many students have to make a compromise based on affordability - which is fine since there are usually fine alternatives.</p>
<p>ALSO, seriously assess what the "core requirements" are for each school. If -- for example -- you hate languages and only want to study math and science, find out now whether any of these schools requires a year of language. Just one example. That sort of info could help with your decision.</p>
<p>ucsd<em>ucla</em>dad, my statement refers to parents who want their children to go to School A because the parents wished they could have attended School A (dream school) in their youth or School A is their alma mater. The parents won't consider if it's a good or bad fit for their children, so they force their children to choose School A because that's what the parents desire. </p>
<p>The OP in the end should decide which college is the best for their social and academic needs. Good financial aid is a definite plus. That was what I was trying to tell the OP.</p>
<p>Tyler, congratulations on your admissions to three great schools! </p>
<p>I have a couple of comments for you. First, you said that Stanford will be giving you hardly any aid. Did you get a response to your FA application stating an estimated amount? Final FA packages don't come out until the beginning of April. Stanford has excellent aid for students from middle income families. </p>
<p>If you know that you will be paying all or most of the price for Stanford or Yale, that is a significant amount. You say that your parents' financial situation may improve in the next 2 years, but there is really no guarantee if they are counting on the market to go up again. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that when your sister starts college, you may be eligible for more FA, since there will be 2 college kids in the family. </p>
<p>My S is a freshman at Stanford, and he is so glad that he is there. He also hates the cold, and it is very cold and snowy in Michigan. He runs every day and feels like he is living in paradise in Palo Alto. He was thinking about majoring in engineering, but is already starting to change his mind. If he had attended our state flagship, he would be required to stay in the engineering college for 2 years, regardless of whether he was happy there or not. He loves how challenging his classes are and how smart and nice the other students are. </p>
<p>You have time to think this over -- until May 1. If you can, you should go to the admitted student weekends. And ask the schools every question you can think of to help make up your mind. Good luck!</p>
<p>Someone mentioned upthread about having money to do the things college students like to do (besides study). Will you want to travel during the summer? Go to the movies, go on dates, go skiing? You are very respectful about how much go to Yale or Stanford will cost you parents. Are you willing to give up some freedom during breaks/vacations and work, and not just for pocket money but to pay for some of your expenses? </p>
<p>You seem very concerned about not overburdening your parents. If you do choose Y/S, are you willing to work to share some of the costs? If you choose UMich, will you take advantage of the opportunties of unpaid internships, summer travel, etc.?</p>
<p>The part about the stock market coming back in a year or two--don't count on it. No one has any idea what the markets will do. Sure, there's a chance folks will see some of their funds back but there's a chance they won't. Say we have a terrorist attack? It's not just about the economy.</p>
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my statement refers to parents who want their children to go to School A because the parents wished they could have attended School A (dream school) in their youth or School A is their alma mater
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tenisghs:
I completely agree with your point. It should be about the particular kid - not the parents living vicariously through their kid.</p>
<p>Tyler like gladmom said when your sister hits college your aid at Stanford will likely increase ALOT. The way the institutional methodology works out for FA is that your parent contribution is reduced by like 40% for every other child you have in college. So if it is 50K for two years, by the time your sister gets to college it will only be 30K and if your sister goes to private school now I think Yale considers it in thier financial aid package.</p>
<p>In this case, given your financial comments, it is very hard for me to recommend one or the other. I’m not in your shoes and can’t appreciate the finer aspects of the family relationships/financial circumstances. But based on what you’ve posted, it’s pretty clear to me that you want to go to Stanford. If you and your family can get comfortable with the financial side of this, this would seem to be the right choice rather than settling for U Michigan.</p>
<p>One difference between Stanford and U Michigan that has not been touched on is the local mindset and business environments. The proximity to Silicon Valley is a huge plus for Stanford and provides an intellectual energy and draw that is hard to find elsewhere in the USA (and definitely not in Michigan). While you may think now that law school is in your future, it is conceivable that, at a place like Stanford, you will be exposed to people, industries, ideas that you know nothing about right now and which will lead you in a completely unexpected direction. California’s business history is pretty dynamic and can be highly intoxicating and rewarding for the right type of individual. </p>
<p>As for weather and your choice, some might belittle this difference. I don’t. It’s big, eg, avg Feb temps of 62-42 at Stanford and 34-19 at U Michigan. The Bay Area in general, and Palo Alto in particular, is blessed with great weather for much of the year (although Jan & Feb can be kind of rainy) and your opportunities to engage in outdoor activities of all types will be vastly expanded.</p>
<p>My only reservations about Stanford are that the graduate programs can dominate the academic environment. Check this out with current students and consider their comments about this. Otherwise, IMO, it’s about as perfect as any college experience in the world. If you choose it, good luck and hope you have a wonderful time there.</p>
<p>I think what you have to do here, is trust that your parents know what they're saying when they arrive at that final recommendation. If they say go with your dream, and go to Stanford, then you have to trust that they're making the most informed decision that they can; and this is the hard part - even if the economy doesn't rebound in two years, and they have to tighten the belts, you mustn't feel guilty. They are obviously aware of the current economic situation (unless they've been hiding under a rock), and the uncertainty of the future (although we all hope the economy recovers slightly within a couple of years, it's not a guarantee). If they want to take this risk, after weighing all the pros and cons, please allow them to do it, and allow them to bear the consequences if things get tough for a while. You certainly want to be honest with them, and let them know where you stand, but only they know what value they've placed on your being able to get the college experience that they hope for.</p>
<p>If you're so uncertain about law school at this point, then focus on your undergrad and make the most of it. If they see that, they will be less likely to regret their decision.</p>
<p>The OP mentioned "intangibles," and the return you get on your education--<br>
Question (I sound like Dwight from 'The Office'): Would Stanford and Yale give him an automatic leg up for jobs, internships, grad school etc, just because they ARE Stanford and Yale?
If so, wouldn't getting the scholarship and honors program at Michigan equal out any disparity? Am guessing it would sound pretty impressive to future employers or grad school admissions people.</p>
<p>Last-- OP-- I may have missed this part, but have you visited all three schools?</p>
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My only reservations about Stanford are that the graduate programs can dominate the academic environment.
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In the last 8 years or so Stanford worked hard to make undergraduate education a priority - and it shows. Lots of attention, and countless opportunities are available for undergrads (research, funding, mentors, - you name it...)</p>
<p>Tyler09: Congratulations. Your thoughtful posts here (and elsewhere) explain why you were accepted by Y, S, Mich....and TASP!</p>
<p>My advice: Go to Stanford. Invest in yourself. Resolve now to pay your parents back for every penny they pay for you. You will feel good about it, and so will your parents. Stanford is a great place for brilliant minds like the one you are gifted with.</p>
<p>One more point- about the economy- the state of Michigan has been very badly hit and things may continue to get worse. Even though your scholarship might be guaranteed for all 4 years, state budget cuts could adversely affect the availability of resources for students.</p>
Smart kid. Should be able to figure it out. Must be very smart to get admissions and awards so early.
U.Mich is a rolling-deadline school with ER decisions in December, which explains both admission decision and merit award. Yale sent him a likely letter. If he applied to Stanford SCEA, that explains the last of the admissions.</p>
<p>I'd guess he's making assumptions about financial aid at Yale and Stanford, although he might have actual numbers from Stanford by now (ED schools identify aid packages with the decision -- do EA schools too?). Or he might not have bothered to apply; if the parents have committed to pay his way, then the family might have felt they didn't qualify. And of course no merit aid offered at those.</p>
<p>^ The University of Michigan will be less affected by state budget cuts than the vast majority of state universities. That's because the economy in Michigan has been bad for at least 30 years, and the university has learned to live with very little in the way of legislative appropriations relative to its overall budget. It's now far down the road to being semi-private, with the largest endowment of any public and a diversified financial base. Moreover, despite Michigan's economic woes, the state is not in nearly as bad fiscal shape as states like Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and California, all facing enormous budget deficits (approaching $50 billion in California's case) and all with universities far more dependent on state financing than Michigan. I'd ignore this sort of scare-mongering; Michigan is a strong and resilient university, and although like all schools, public and private (including Stanford), it's going to have to make some adjustments to this economy, it will be just fine.</p>
<p>In my opinion it's a close call. Stanford's a great school and if you feel it's a better fit and your parents can afford it, go for it. But if the finances matter, you're getting an outstanding deal from Michigan where you can also get an outstanding education at a far lower cost.</p>
<p>And one last thing: it's not a question of "settling for" Michigan as hawkette would have it (post #31). Beware: on CC, hawkette is a professional Michigan-basher who will miss no opportunity to take a cheap shot. My guess is maybe she's someone who was rejected by Michigan and is now making it her life's project to get even.</p>