Last Days...HELP!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I've narrowed down my college choices to two schools, and have only a few days before my final decision.</p>

<p>I visited both during their admit days last week, and I obviously have until May 1 to respond. I know there isn't a wrong choice, but I'm not sure if there is a better choice for me. I guess this thread is more for me to lay out the pros and cons of each school so that I have a better picture of my thoughts and feeling about each school. Feedback from you guys in this process would be extremely helpful for me in sorting out my conflicting thoughts and feelings.</p>

<p>Yale
Yale's campus was a bit different from what I had expected. I hadn't expected it to be so urban, with streets and shops running through the campus and traffic to dodge. This is one of the things I didn't like about Yale. I loved the Gothic architecture though, and each individual building is without a doubt, beautiful. I loved the feeling of Old Campus and the court yards in each residential college. </p>

<p>The surrounding area of New Haven didn't impress me much either. The shops are nice and all, but the streets and cars really detracted from a coherent campus feel. Overall, I loved the architecture and buildings of the campus, but didn't care much for the urban qualities. This is actually my main complaint about Yale. </p>

<p>Another thing is the weather. At Bulldog Days, it was cloudy, rainy, and cold. I come from California, so of course this weather is quite foreign to me. I don't know I will be able to handle New England weather for four years.</p>

<p>The people here are especially nice. I was offered to be taken to classes by tons of people. Everyone seems supportive of each other. It seems like they know how to handle academics with having fun. It seems like everyone at Yale loves Yale with a passion. There is so much tradition and camaraderie here that permeates the culture at this Ivy league school. </p>

<p>I liked how the residential college system created an intimate setting to get to know people. It seems like it is easier to get funding for research and events through the residential college system.</p>

<p>I visited some classes, and the professors were very welcoming and interesting. Both of the classes had under 10 people in it, which is a good thing.</p>

<p>Overall, I had a special feeling at Yale. Maybe its just being part of a 300+ year old school that has so much tradition. I loved the people there. They were very intellectual but not competitive at all. The only thing that took away from my experience was the campus, which I didn't particularly enjoy.</p>

<p>Another thing. At Yale, I would have to do $4,000 of work study, which is twice as much as at Stanford. I would have to do twice as much work study then, so will be more busy and less inclined to pursue other extracurricular activities. Plus, I'm from California, 45 minutes away from Stanford. I would say the distance of Yale is a bit of a nuissance since there will be extra money spent on travel expenses, and the fact that I hate plane rides. Stanford is just much more convenient I guess.</p>

<p>Stanford
The first thing that struck me about Stanford was its gorgeous campus. I imagine it to be like going to college in a semi-tropical land. lol I liked the Stanford campus better than Yale's because it is actually enclosed in an actual coherent campus. The buildings all like somewhat similar though, and weren't quite as distinctive as the ones at Yale. I didn't like the size of the campus. It was huge. Maybe after I get a bike things won't be so bad. Of course the weather is nice and all, but I've lived in this weather my whole life. Maybe I need a change? lol</p>

<p>Stanford seemed to try to emphasize its social life. Most of our events at admit weekend concentrated on the social aspect, while at Yale it was more about the academics and extracurricular life. The people here are also extremely nice, but they didn't seem quite as intellectual as those at Yale. I actually felt more at home with the people at Yale. I made more friends and have more contacts from Yale's Bulldog days than at Stanford's admit weekend.</p>

<p>From what I've seen of the dorms at both campuses, I liked the Stanford bathroom situation better. The bathrooms were cleaner there. I liked Yale's setup with the suite for each couple of rooms though.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I didn't get to visit any classes, at Stanford, but only because I was too lazy to walk from place to place, and because I couldn't find anything because of the gigantic size of campus. I just got lazy. lol</p>

<p>I got slightly better financial aid from Stanford, with only $2,000 work study. This would take quite a load off, as opposed to Yale's $4000 a year work study. Stanford is also much more convenient, as it is close to home, and my parents want me to go to Stanford for that reason. I live close to Stanford, so it makes it easier to get back home in case of emergencies, or just to escape for a weekend.</p>

<p>I'm still undeclared, and have absolutely no idea of what I want to major in, so I guess that makes it even harder for me to choose. After reading all of that, and considering my situation, which school would you choose? Anyways, any feed back from you guys to help me sort out these things would help a great deal!</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>it sounds to me like stanford is the slighty better option.</p>

3

<p>It does sound like Stanford is the better option for you. I've never visited Yale, but I'm always blown away by how great Stanfords campus is.</p>

4

<p>I have the same decision to make.</p>

<p>I'm trying to decide between Yale and Stanford. Having visited both, I'm going to make a list of my impressions of both to help me weigh my decision.</p>

<p>Yale:</p>

<p>A very beautiful campus, but one of the big turn offs is the very urban area Yale is in. I guess it's nice to have a lot of dining options, but I'm not too fond of hearing police sirens wailing in the middle of the night or the potentially dangerous situations. The buildings are Gothic and magnificent. I can't describe the beauty of being in the Branford court and looking up at Harkness tower while it is playing. It's really breath-taking.</p>

<p>The weather may be another issue for me. I'm from California (Norcal), so I'm used to sunshine and at the worst, some rain. However, while I was at Yale, I was really put off by the cold and rain. I don't know if I can put up with months of snow.</p>

<p>Finances also aren't in Yale's favor. Compared to S's financial aid, I have to do 2k more work study each Yale, which isn't too big of a deal. I also have to worry about transportation and I hate flying.</p>

<p>As for what I want to study, I don't really know yet. I feel like I should go into the sciences or engineering, but I could possibly go into humanities as well. I want to keep my options open. I'm a little worried that if I DO go into the sciences or engineering, Yale will have a weaker program than S.</p>

<p>Stanford:</p>

<p>Beautiful campus as well. The buildings aren't spectacular as Y's (except for the main Quad, Memorial Church, Hoover Tower) but that shouldn't make or break a decision. Stanford is more closed in and greener, which I prefer to Y's urban and open campus. The campus is big but a bike will take care of it.</p>

<p>Financially, Stanford is a bit better. I won't have to work as much so I'll have more time for other things. The weather is pretty much nice year-round. Stanford will be much more convenient as well since I live about 40 minutes away from me.</p>

<p>I feel that Stanford might be better academically since it's strong across the board whereas Y might be lacking in engineering.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the input guys. I think Stanford might be the better option, but I feel so wasteful to give Yale away. :(</p>

6

<p>pagEL60:

[quote]
Overall, I had a special feeling at Yale.

[/quote]

[quote]
I actually felt more at home with the people at Yale.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>There you go. It sounds like you actually know what you want. The only reason I could see you choosing Stanford is the $2000 difference, but I don't think that's enough to make up for your descriptions of the two colleges in which it sounded as if you liked Stanford, but loved Yale. Go to Yale: you won't regret it.</p>

<p>virtuoso_735: Your post makes it sound like you prefer Stanford, since you really had nothing positive to say about Yale. If that's the case, go to Stanford.</p>

7

<p>I guess my head is telling me to go to Stanford, but my heart is saying Yale.</p>

<p>It just seems that if I go to Yale, I will have so much more to worry about, including finances, travel, winters, etc. I know for sure that I will be happy at Stanford, because its close to home, good weather, beautiful campus, etc. I guess its just hard for me to step outside of my comfort zone. I've stepped outside my comfort zone before and lived far away from home, and though I absolutely hated for the first two weeks or so, I came to love it so much I wasn't ready to go back home. I expect Yale to be a similar experience. I'm feeling almost excactly like I did when I had to make that other decision. But this is much bigger, because it's deciding my life for the next four years and perhaps much of my life after that. :(</p>

<p>Plus, my parents are pushing Stanford. It's not like they won't let me go to Yale, it's just that they want me close to home, and of course for financial reasons.</p>

8

<p>pagEL60: you really sound like you're in love with Yale. Yale and Stanford are probably peers in both academics and prestige, and to a third person like me Yale is clearly what you prefer. You're gonna be much happier at Yale, and that's the most important thing in choosing a college. But if the financial concerns and the distance is too much for you and your parents to bear, you certainly won't be losing out anything by attending Stanford - a degree from either university will set you on a good path.</p>

9

<p>Yale sounds like the better option educationally and as a growth experience. However, another factor is future connections. If you plan to live and work in California, Stanford will probably be much better. You will be able to maintain more friendships, and will have more connections to career opportunities. It will be much easier to stay involved with the campus, volunteer, attend reunions, etc. If you are on work study, you must be from a rather low income family. Your family may not be able to visit Yale at all, or maybe only once for graduation. (Happened to me- nobody from my family attended my graduation. A friend and my dorm head went for me). Going to an elite school as a financial aid student is already a little bit stressful, so adding the long distance and your discomfort with the campus at Yale may be too much. Just a thought, though. I would really prefer Yale myself, no doubt about that.</p>

10

<p>I think Stanford is fine...However...go with your heart..your head will follow later</p>

11

<p>I think stanford is the better option for you. If you are talking finances, other tha the difference in aid packages, you have to think about cost of flying to Yale and back a couple of times, and the cost of living in a city. also, you didnt do the same things at stanford that you did at yale, like attending classes, so you got a different perspective of each school. either way, good luck.</p>

12

<p>When I left CA for high school in MA a lot of well meaning people warned me abouty weather, being far from home, etc. Boy am I glad I didn't listen nor did my parents. Go for Yale where you say you felt more comfortable! Are you planning to play it safe all your life? Never leave CA? This is your time to explore. I bet Yale would lower the work study and travel is built into COA. Go for it!!!!!</p>

13

<p>How much would the connections factor play out? I plan to live in California after college, so would having the connections and the Stanford degree work out better for me? Is it worth choosing Stanford over Yale for this reason?</p>

14

<p>bump......</p>

15

<p>Bump</p>

<p>Bump</p>

16

<p>It's a matter of preference. Are you a premed? Premed at Stanford is pretty grueling and competitive. Remember Chelsea Clinton. She changed her major to history after one semester of premed.</p>

17

<p>I'm not premed, no. I don't think I will go into medicine for graduate school, or at least I don't think so. </p>

<p>I'm planning to give Yale a call tomorrow and ask it to match Stanford's aid. If they can't, then I will most likely be going to Stanford.</p>

18

<p>Alright, I just called the Yale financial aid office, and told them my situation. The guy said that Yale can't change the financial aid package, because the $4000 work study is the same across the board for everyone with a 0 EFC. I asked about why the estimated personal expenses is less at Yale but more at Stanford, even though it should be the opposite, and he said they use the same formula for all students. I e-mailed them with a more lengthy explanation just now, so I hope that will help. Any advice from here?</p>

<p>I'm thinking at this point that it is the best idea to just follow the money because its true that I really don't know where I'll have the better experience, and because I do plan to live in California after college. But I'd hate to pass up Yale. It's only $2750 more per year to attend Yale, which is $11,000 more four years. That may not sound like much to most of you guys, but $2750 a year is a fortune to my family. In my situation, do you think its worth giving up Yale for Stanford for that amount of money?</p>

19

<p>11K certainly is a lot of money, but let's put it in perspective: </p>

<p>The average home price in the Bay Area is over 600K. People don't even blink about paying an extra 10, 20, 50K.</p>

<p>If you go to medical school, you will likely have debt that is 50K, 100K or more. However, people who are interested still choose this profession.</p>

<p>Having one of those giant-sized coffee concoctions at Starbucks everyday sets people back 3K PER YEAR.</p>

<p>Choose the school that fits you the best. You'll have the least regrets in the long run.</p>

20

<p>Yale offered to reimburse me $800 for my start-up costs such as winter clothing and stuff for my room. Its better than nothing, but Stanford is still $2,000 cheaper the first year.</p>

<p>Also, I heard Yale's self-help and student contribution goes up 3-5% each year, while Stanford's student contribution and self-help stays the same all four years as long as your family's income stays the same. Is this true for each respective school? That would mean Stanford's cost would stay the same to me, while Yale would go up each year.</p>