<p>In the end you should do what you want to do… but the fact of the matter is there needs to be more black leaders graduating from top schools. </p>
<p>Going to Michigan won’t make you any less of a person, but you won’t command the same level of respect as you would with a Stanford degree by your side… unfortunately, that’s just the way the world works.</p>
<p>Tyler, I feel for you as a parent. My junior d may be facing similar pressures next year. In this economy, I don’t know how you can take on huge debt, even for Stanford. Have you asked the Palo Alto school how much more it will award you? All these top schools are obsessed with yield. Michigan is a very, very good school in its own right. You have to ask yourself whether you will be limiting your graduate school options if you attend Stanford without a significant increase in scholarship/grant money.</p>
<p>I would talk this over carefully with your parents and try one final plea to Stanford for more money. If more $$$ is not forthcoming, I would not want you and/or your parents to struggle with future educational and retirement options…</p>
<p>It’s probably true that regardless of wherever you go, you’ll be just fine when you get out. And the differences between the education offered at both schools might not even be that much. However, if there’s one aspect of the Stanford experience that I would say is invaluable, it’s the people. There are so many talented, amazing, smart people here from all over the world; I feel really lucky to be surrounded by them every day and to be able to learn from them. It can get frustrating at times when you feel like everyone is smarter than you, but at the same time, it’s very motivating and inspiring. Does this make Stanford worth 200k? I can’t say; it’s not something that I can put a price tag to. However, I do think this is one advantage that Stanford has over Michigan. Not that there aren’t amazing, talented people at Michigan too (I know there are), but I don’t think I would have quite the same level of appreciation towards my peers if I were at Michigan.</p>
<p>At any rate, good luck making your decision. I hope whatever you decide, you’re satisfied in the end.</p>
<p>There is no contest here. Stanford undergrad is great, but a full ride to Michigan Ross is much, much greater.</p>
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<p>This isn’t true at all. Ross is just as amazing as any Stanford pre-business or business-oriented undergrad program. And Ross grads are just as marketable as Stanford grads. [Undergraduate</a> Recruiting at Vault’s Top Six Consulting Firms: Vault Management and Strategy Consulting Career Information](<a href=“http://www.vault.com/nr/newsmain.jsp?nr_page=3&ch_id=252&article_id=14364421&cat_id=1223]Undergraduate”>http://www.vault.com/nr/newsmain.jsp?nr_page=3&ch_id=252&article_id=14364421&cat_id=1223)</p>
<p>you should also think about what kind of job/earning capacity you are going to have. I don’t know how to explain this really. but I’ll try…
If you’re going to major in something that has a potential peak of say $90,000 (like engineering)…then go to UMICH for the full ride. But if you’re going for a major/career where you have the potential to make lots, then go to Stanford.
I mean, is the 220k going to well-spent investment in your future career? Or could you just go to UMICH and not spend 220k, but still get an equally good career?</p>
<p>Hope that made sense. You have two really great schools to choose from, so you can’t really go wrong. It’s just comes down to money and how important it is to you.</p>
<p>A couple of months ago on one of your (several) threads on this topic I had voted for Stanford. I would like to make a revision. </p>
<p>My final vote: Michigan.</p>
<p>Reason: If you choose Stanford and if it proves to be less perfect than you think it is, you will feel terrible about the 200K.</p>
<p>Stanford…there is a large difference in prestige between it and Michigan and considering that you like it more, its a no-brainier. The 200k investment will more than be made up and it does sound like your parents are willing and relatively capable of handling it.</p>
<p>What is more important to you, the Big Ten atmosphere of Michigan, or the “intellectualism” at Stanford? Personally, I would say Ross has students of comparable intellectualism to Stanford. On the other hand, I don’t think that Stanford can match the Big Ten/sports atmosphere of Michigan. The other factors (such as academics and job placement) are almost negligible between the two.</p>
<p>My vote is Michigan. You can get MOST of the same things Stanford offers but at 200K less.</p>
<p>I don’t think that Stanford can match the Big Ten/sports atmosphere of Michigan.</p>
<p>I don’t think that’s really true. Of all the top private schools, Stanford is definitely the most similar to a big state school when it comes to sports IMO. I mean, it has won the NACDA Director’s Cup for Division 1 sports the past 15 years in a row. And people have a lot of school spirit. That has to count for something…</p>
<p>Stanford does not have a sports atmosphere. I visited and talked with students and student athletes. That directors cup counts for very little as Stanford excels in many sports very few people want to watch. Especially compared to Michigan, sports at Stanford are more of a reprieve from studying for a subsection of the student body than something that dominates the weekend or unifies the entire student body. </p>
<p>I love Stanford but I gotta call that for what it is.</p>
<p>After having been on campus for a few years, I’d say Stanford definitely does have a sports atmosphere. There are athletes everywhere, and tons of sports events advertised to students by students, tons of Cardinal spirit, etc. Sports don’t dominate (and they shouldn’t, IMO), but they’re much more than a reprieve. </p>
<p>Being from the Midwest, I think I can also justifiably say that while the Big-10 atmosphere is very prominent, it is a bit hyped in comparison to other schools.</p>
<p>Full ride, no debt…prudent…especially in this economy, and especially if you like the fit at the full ride.</p>
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<p>at least be honest about it…
They are not equal by any stretch of the imagination.
Michigan had what a 40% acceptance rate?</p>
<p>Tyler09…maybe I missed it…did you decide? Where will you be going to school in the fall?</p>
<p>He is going to Michigan. See his announcement on the Parents’ forum.</p>
<p>Bescraze, I think you misunderstood what I was saying. The University of Michigan as a whole is definitely several notches below Stanford. Ross, though, has different standards. It is among the top four or five undergraduate business schools in the country, both in rankings and in placement.</p>
<p>So, you are amazing. I hope you will do nice things with the 20K.</p>