<p>Almost from the moment he had all his acceptances, S decided it was William & Mary. He is OOS and gets zero money there, but when it's love....</p>
<p>His father didn't let him send the deposit until last week though, still hoping against hope that S would follow the $ instead of the bliss. I'm glad it's over and decided (except for that pesky Cornell waitlist...) but of course (OF COURSE) now that he's decided, the other schools keep sending more scholarship offers...sheesh.</p>
<p>CMU has one of the best computer science programs in the country. My son attended the PA Governor's School for the Sciences which was held at CMU, and the project he did was in CS, so we became familiar with the CMU program. If I remember correctly, one must apply specifically to the CS program, which is a separate admission from Engineering or other programs. If someone in that program later decides to change majors, they must apply to transfer to another part of CMU. My son was not sure enough about CS as a major to consider applying, which turned out to be a correct decision for him since he ended up with an Econ major and CS minor. </p>
<p>Mathmom - It sounds like your son is very sure of his interest in CS so it is wonderful choice for him. Congratulations ! :)</p>
<p>Thanks. I can't imagine him changing majors. That said a handful of students do switch to one of the other CMU schools every year. I'd guess a kid who started as a CS major and Econ minor wouldn't have too much trouble flipping the emphasis. But particularly since I'm also a believer in exploring new things for college, I'd imagine your son made a good choice for him. :)</p>
<p>Mathmom - Congratulations on your son's choice. I suspected that he would choose CM ... sounds like the perfect program for him! :)</p>
<p>So would the schools have cost you the same? I think you have to admit, money is always in the back of your mind for all but the wealthy.</p>
<p>And yes I understand most parents are too polite to ask....</p>
<p>When you look at Harvard's yield you knew few turn the down and the few that normally do are going to Yale, Stanford, Princeton or MIT.</p>
<p>I honestly haven't looked at the numbers. CMU has a weird dorm system where they charge you varying amounts depending on singles, doubles, triples, suites etc. They also have several meal plans. I have no idea whether it's more or less than Harvard. Really. We inherited a chunk of money last year. It's going to college tuitions.</p>
<p>mathmom, congrats to you and your son. I know that you are relieved and very proud of your son.</p>
<p>Wouldn't most Harvard acceptees get serious merit $$ at CMU?</p>
<p>Not necessarily. </p>
<p>This was about your third post to Mathmom about the money question when she never indicated that comparing costs was part of her and her son's decision process. Is it hard for you to understand that her son chose CMU over Harvard because it has a much stronger program in his intended major?</p>
<p>CMU is the computer science dream school (according to my son, who is majoring in computer science elsewhere). Much of what constitutes computer science today was invented there, and a lot of exciting research is going on at that campus. I can see why it would appeal to your son, mathmom. He may not have made the conventional decision, but I think he made a choice that makes very good sense for a person with his particular interests. </p>
<p>For some kids with very clear and specific interests, choosing a college that excels in that specific field (CMU for computer science, Johns Hopkins for biomedical engineering, Tufts for international relations, etc.) is ideal. For others, whose interests are not quite as focused, different choices might be better. It depends on the kid.</p>
<p>As many others have noted, there was a definite "lifting of the mood" here when D made her decision. We tried to stay out of the way, but talk when she wanted to talk. She is a quiet kid and her cue to us that she wanted some discussion was, "I am still trying to decide between these school" - and the discussion would begin! We think she always had a front runner, she just needed to go through the process of making sure. She also suffered a "crisis in confidence" (as one CCer put it!) as to whether her medicore public school education had prepared her for the school that was her favorite. With much additional discussion, she worked through that issue and never looked back! </p>
<p>Also, it is just so darn hard to say, "No thanks" to those schools who offer four year free rides due to NMF - even when you know in your heart, they aren't the place for you. </p>
<p>My husband finally said, "When you know where you want to go, just come out and say 'I want to go to...................' ". She did exactly that. The next night when we filled out the paperwork, she had a HUGE smile across her face and is just a much more settled soul. Now each mailing that comes from the school is so exciting!</p>
<p>Motheroftwo, yes, it is. The available data shows that the few kids who do turn down Harvard usually go to one of the other "top" four or don't go because of money. I am always curious to understand why when someone make an unusual decision.</p>
<p>I think you have to respect kids who turn down Harvard in favor of a school which is a better fit. They know who they are and aren't swayed by the outside pressure and prestige factor. I know one kid who, several years ago, turned down Harvard, Stanford and MIT in favor of Caltech for computer science. He knew that he fit at Caltech and his parents supported his decision. It has worked out fabulously for him.</p>
<p>Caltech is far from a consolation prize school for H,S, and M. I can't imagine any world in which Caltech would be considered materially inferior for a scientific or technical education.</p>
<p>Caltech over Harvard is a no brainer for those brilliant in math and science. People choose colleges for many reasons. Good, bad and nutural. Very few reject Harvard though. For good reason. I have no problem with someone who chooses any school over H but I don't necessarily admire them. </p>
<p>I did not choose Harvard because another school had something I really wanted. But I also know how unusual I was. I went to a HS that sent over 30% to very top schools. Almost no one chose anything other than the usual suspects over H.</p>
<p>Suze, my S turned down Yale and Duke for Notre Dame. Both Yale and Duke would have been several thousand $ cheaper per year. He was not swayed whatsoever by the "prestige" of the name Yale. He loved the way Notre Dame combines academic excellence, tradition, sports and an extremely strong family atmosphere.</p>
<p>Is he a legacy or just found a school he loved himself?</p>
<p>Definitely not a legacy, not a recruited athlete, not an URM. ND is very straightforward about the preference given to legacies. Made waiting for the acceptance (last to arrive, snail mail) a very long wait.</p>
<p>Caltech has a great math and science curriculum, but it has a very special atmosphere that only fits some students. So while it is great for those it fits, it is hardly a no-brainer for an excellent math/science student to choose it over Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, all of which have more highly rated math departments.</p>
<p>oddly enough everybody in academia and practicing as an engineer who we or S knows told S it was a no brainer to turn down Cal, Stanford, MIT, and Caltech to go to OOS Michigan (free) for engineering.(especially since he liked it better)</p>