<p>Here's the deal folks. I am admitted into Stanford (early approval), and I am a finalist for Robertson (one of the best full rides in the country: Robertson</a> Scholars: Homepage). I know it's presumptuous to ask this question, as Robertson decision hasn't been made and won be until about a month. But, unfortunately, once the decision is made, there will be precious little time to make up my mind. Robertson wants decisions made by April 14. </p>
<p>So i have begun to ponder about this question. i would appreciate your honest feedback which may be helpful to me and perhaps other Robertson finalist who might have make a difficult choice. (you can insert Princeton and Harvard in place of Stanford, two other schools that I have applied to, which will cause me some grief if I had to let go).</p>
<p>i also feel that everyone will be in a mad scramble choosing among their top choices, there is little time for reflection on this question.</p>
<p>details wise: I am leaning toward engineering, possibly biomedical. I know D is good in biomedical. But S is all around good in engineering and the rest.</p>
<p>$ wise, S is giving me about 19k leaving about $35k short - that's $140+ k for 4 years.</p>
<p>my parents tell me to make decision independent of $, but I know it will be a strain on them (second mortgage) given the economy.</p>
<p>please let me know. I will post this on D board as well.</p>
<p>Wow, that would be a tough decision (but, as you noted, perhaps one you would not have to make).</p>
<p>I would look at where you feel you would be more comfortable (they are basically on opposite ends of the country) and of course attend admit weekends if possible. I understand that your parents want you to make a decision without regard to money....but attending a top notch uni like Duke for free is quite an opportunity!</p>
<p>While the value of paying for college tuition, fees, room and board, etc. is of significant value (>$200,000), I think it's also important to mention some of the other benefits the Robertson offers.</p>
<p>The Robertson offers full funding for three years of summer internships, travel and research. It also offers funding for academic-year opportunities such as traveling to conferences, as well as personalized advising and unique access to faculty, alumni, and other resources of both Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, I think the true benefit of the Robertson is its ability to push you to take full advantage of all of the amazing opportunities it puts at your fingertips.</p>
<p>The Robertson is arguably more prestigious than Stanford. It's certainly more selective -- more than 1,600 people specifically requested to be considered for the scholarship this year, and all 40,000+ applicants to Duke and UNC were considered.</p>
<p>Take the full ride u fool. why the heck would u pay all that money for Stanford when u can go to a comparable school for free, and use resources at both Duke and UNC? Dont be stupid, take the scholarship! </p>
<p>Definitely go with the full-ride at Duke if possible. The resources in both universities are very similar... and one's free! Not to mention, your parents can easily save that money for your graduate school needs or in case the economy gets worse. Stanford's not worth $140k over Duke. And Duke is really well-recognized in the job market, don't worry.</p>
<p>The Robertson is a big deal -- as ThoughtProvoking says, probably a bigger deal than Stanford. It's really unique, not only a huge honor if you get it, but a fabulous entree into all sorts of opportunities.</p>
<p>Apart from that, you would have a hard time coming up with any objective data that would suggest, on a financial analysis, that Stanford is worth $140,000 more than Duke (possibly more than that after future increases are taken into account).</p>
<p>Stanford and Duke are pretty similar in some respects, but certainly different in others, and I suspect that you might not choose Duke over Stanford straight up. Certainly, the combination of an early write at Stanford and being a Robertson finalist indicates that you are hot stuff, and people think you are going to be the kind of person who makes the most of the opportunities a great university provides. So I don't doubt that things would be great for you either place. </p>
<p>If you get the Robertson, I predict you will have trouble turning it down. Maybe you will luck out and get rejected! Then you could go to Stanford.</p>
<p>I think you can be pretty certain that 98% of those invited to a Duke scholarship weekend have been (or will be) admitted to top schools to which they have applied. That is why Duke continues to offer about 50 or so full-ride merit scholarships per year (Robertson, AB Duke, BN Duke, etc), while HYPS do not. This is the sort of conflict all (almost all) candidates have to resolve. It is a very personal choice and of course finances are a prominent factor (how can they not be unless the student has 100% need or paying 100% is not an issue). After money, the choice should be based on things other than perceived prestige. Use facts about the programs offered and visit the campuses.</p>
<p>Congrats on your Stanford early approval, again. </p>
<p>Not that I'm trying to discourage you from enrolling at Stanford, look at it this way: The economy is in a REALLY bad shape right now, and you really have no idea where it will be headed 4 years from now. You know that both Duke and Stanford are amazing schools, albeit Stanford is just more prestigious --- not that Duke isn't. If you do get that scholarship, that will be free money, and you'll graduate free from debt, so you'll be safe if the economy's still in a bad shape (which hopefully it'll rebound by then) and you don't need to owe anyone anything by the time you graduate. And that's even better news if you're applying to grad school. You'll have more room for debt than most other students when you apply.</p>
<p>So Stanford or Duke full-ride? Ultimately, the choice is yours to make, but I'd have to go with the Duke full-ride, especially with the shape the economy is in today. Though your parents are telling you to make your decision indep from $, I'm sure that they won't mind skipping the tuition fee.</p>
<p>ab2013...it was joke... Of course I know how bad the economy is right now, it's having an enourmous impact on my family's life right now...I'm not ignorant, but it gets old when people keep bringing up the obvious</p>
<p>Take the money and run. Stanford can not take you anywhere that Duke, particularly with the Robertson, will not. I'm surprised this is even up for debate.</p>
<p>Yep. Carolina is a fantastic school with a great quality of life. I can't imagine someone going wrong with choosing the Robertson there.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that the Robertson program is a lot more than the one semester switch. You have full student privileges at both Duke and UNC, so it would be very wise to take advantage of the considerable resources at both universities.</p>