<p>Curious what people think: Rice Trustee Distiguished and Century Scholars research and mentoring program, which amounts to full tuition, versus Stanford without aid. Studies would likely be in biology, applied math, biomedical, maybe neuro.</p>
<p>I’m confused…you’re getting full tuition to Rice and wonder whether you should take it versus no aid at Stanford? Is the cost at Stanford equivalent to room & board only at Rice? If so, I understand the question, if not, my kid would be going to Rice. Rice is very well known and respected in the areas you plan to study.</p>
<p>please go to RICE. </p>
<p>as much as i love stanford, it is overrated a bit for undergrad. rice is a great school and if you’re getting money like that–TAKE IT. seriously.</p>
<p>Rice is an amazing school for undergrad. If you’ve gotten a full ride, GO THERE! You’ll save a LOT of money for grad school that way. And plus, it’s grad school that’s more important.</p>
<p>Go to Rice! I got in there with a full ride as well, so Stanford’s pretty much out of the picture even if I do get admitted.</p>
<p>Save the money, have a great college experience, and go to Stanz for grad school if you want.</p>
<p>Take the full ride. dont be stupid</p>
<p>Well, I am looking it from another point of view. If he received no aid from Stanford, it is likely because he does not qualify for need. From the sound of it you did not even apply for financial aid, so that likely means you will not incur serious debt if you go to Stanford.</p>
<p>In spit of all of this, the money you save is huge. 200,000 dollars a year is no joke… So while I am not going to say “don’t be stupid, go to Rice”, I will say that your money will be better placed in a school where you save 200,000. If my assumptions are correct, it would also be accurate that you do not have to work ungodly hours to pay for what you parents cannot, correct.</p>
<p>So my suggestion is this (and take it as you will): Check both schools out without making any assumptions. Forget the name “Stanford”, look at everything else. Think about if you can imagine yourself at both colleges. </p>
<p>On a side not: This question would be far more valid if it were something like “Stanford or full ride state school that is not Cal, UVA, etc”. Rice is an amazing college, and it (even without the ride) can come close to rivaling schools such as Stanford. Btw if you do qualify for aid, and you did apply, do not downplay the fact that you may still receive aid. Make sure you show them that you need.</p>
<p>^Even if he could afford to, there’s no need to spend all the money you have on hand. Look at it this way: $0 (or something like that) vs. $200,000. I’d go with $0.</p>
<p>I would too, I agree that Rice is a better option. Unless he is super duper uber rich, in which it won’t matter.</p>
<p>So I’m waiting with you guys in the vain hope of a yea from Stanford. I was Early Action Deferred with no big changes on the update so if they didn’t want me then, they probably haven’t changed their minds. But I’m happy enough to be sitting on a full ride offer from UC San Diego (my second choice) so I’m not too agitated over this. It’s kind of like playing the lotto - so great if you win, but you’re no worse off if you don’t. Here’s my self-indulgent question. If lightning strikes and I get in, is the difference between Stanford and UCSD really worth giving up a fabulous aid package?</p>
<p>OP’s question is not just about $$$. I think there’s a lot to gain from a mentored research program too. It’s a lot different than having to go look for that kind of help.</p>
<p>Well in my humble opinion the ∆ between UCSD and Stanford is far greater than that of Rice and Stanford. Depends, do you need the money? I would take the Stanford admission with a grain of salt, remember one is free. Take it as you will.</p>
<p>i wish i had gotten a full scholarship to rice… 
i may not be able to afford it.</p>
<p>the way i approached the situation was to pick schools that were strong in what i wanted, ie engineering (rice, stanford, princeton, columbia, ucb). all these schools are great, yet different in some way or another. after doing a lot of looking around, i figured i would be happy at ANY of these schools, so all it became was a matter of money.</p>
<p>and getting in, of course ;)</p>
<p>so i would definitely go with rice. you’ll get a great education regardless.</p>
<p>definitely Rice
Rice is an amazing school and you’ll definitely get as good of an education in Rice compared to Stanford
and you get to go almost free! that’s amazing, you are very lucky.</p>
<p>yeah I’m going to have to agree with everyone here and say, take the full ride to RICE!! don’t be silly</p>
<p>Rules for making difficult choices among schools (with scholarship vs no scholarship:</p>
<p>If the school offering you a full ride (or free tuition) is well known in the areas you intend to study versus a prestige school, choose the full ride school each time.</p>
<p>If your parents mint money or are filthy rich, and if you value prestige highly, ignore the above.</p>
<p>Comp Sci Guy</p>
<p>I don’t know your exact situation but if you got a full ride at UCSD you probably would get a similar package at Stanford, if admitted.</p>
<p>Last year my son was in your shoes and he’s at Stanford. His share is like $2K per year.</p>
<p><em>Sigh</em> What a question. Are you really going to turn down a FULL RIDE at Rice? Really?</p>
<p>Your problem might be solved this way:</p>
<p>If there is no money from either school,</p>
<p>Stanford > Rice</p>
<p>Then add money on Rice side,</p>
<p>Stanford > Rice + $1
Stanford > Rice + $2
…
Stanford > Rice + $1000 ?</p>
<p>till you get</p>
<p>Stanford < Rice + $?</p>
<p>brassring makes a very good point
…in times like these, i would without a doubt go with the full ride scholarship ! plus you get all that extra research mentoring on the side, something that might not be available to you @ Stanford. but hey,it’s your choice so you should def. go with what feels right to Y0U 
good luck*</p>