<p>Well, I applied to both Stanford(got in SCEA) and Emory. Assuming that I get Emory's full scholarship, which should I choose? We are a middle-class (maybe upper middle) family. My parents cannot afford to pay full tuition at either of these colleges. The most they can pay is 15 k per year but I would still need to take out a lot of money in loans. Assuming that my Stanford acceptance does not get rescinded and assuming I get the full scholarship at Emory, which one should I take? I like both schools but Stanford is... well its Stanford and Emory is excellent a well... but which would be the right way to go?</p>
<p>You might also win the lottery and render this discussion moot. Why not throw in that hypothetical?</p>
<p>Until you have your Emory acceptance, Emory merit/financial aid offer, and Stanford financial aid offer all in hand, there is no point in comparing the two.</p>
<p>I would seriously consider going to Emory. If I understand you correctly, you can only pay 15 k a year and this leaves 40 k a year or so and this adds up to 160 k in four years. That is a huge burden to place on yourself… it is not advisable to have such a debt in undergrad. If Stanford offers you no significant aid, then I think the choice is clear. Plus, Emory is a great school in its own right.</p>
<p>Stanford is too far ahead of Emory. You will regret choosing Emory, even if your family doesn’t have to pay a penny toward your education there.</p>
<p>Stanford has one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country.</p>
<p>If you don’t like your award, play hardball and threaten to enroll at Emory over Stanford. Show their representatives your full scholarship award. They’ll make a further concession, and by then Stanford should be affordable.</p>
<p>I don’t understand the upper middle class and its unwillingness to invest in the future of its children.</p>
<p>kwu, I disagree with your statement that Stanford is “far ahead of Emory” Yes, Stanford is better as an overall school. I know that. But Emory is a great school and it is free (repeat: FREE) for the OP. Maybe you are not aware but many Emory Scholars choose Emory over HYPSM… They certainly thought it was worth it. All I am saying is that Stanford, if they don’t give you money, will cost 160 k or so… Emory will be free! It’s hard to beat that amazing offer. Just curious kwu, what’s the “best” university YOU would turn down to accept a full scholarship to a school like Emory, Rice, Vandy?</p>
<p>jgraider, am I biased? Ofcourse. BUT, the OP is being offered an education at a top 20 university for FREE. I honestly don’t see where the debate is. Maybe I value 160 k more than other people. If the OP was a millionaire, I would tell him or her to go to Stanford. OP says hes is middle class/upper middle. That means that, for his parents, 160k is a lot. Regardless, althought I am biased (as is everyone), I often encourage middle class students to take full rides at top 30 universities because they are getting an amazing education for free.</p>
<p>Haha I’m not saying that Emory would not be the better choice for OP, and personally, if I got in to Stanford, I wouldn’t go there. I just found it funny that I read your argument and then I saw “Location: Toronto -> Emory Class of 2014”</p>
<h2>kwu wrote: “I don’t understand the upper middle class and its unwillingness to invest in the future of its children”</h2>
<p>I don’t understand how a kid who has never made a mature financial decision in his life thinks a college ranked 14 points above another is an “investment”.</p>
<p>haha good catch midatlmom. This OP is clearly being deceptive intentionally, so he/she can get the opinion of others in hypothetical situations that may or may not happen. This whole thread is kind of a waste of time…</p>
<p>Stanford is great and all, plus it’s in California… but it’s not worth more than a free-ride from Emory. A free-ride is a free-ride, and it’s from Emory, which isn’t a significantly inferior school to Stanford, especially if you get into Goizueta, Emory’s business school. You might end up graduating from Emory with top honors - that would make you stand out even if you’ll be competing with the upper 25% of Stanford grads. You can also mention that you turned down Stanford for Emory due to a huge scholarship grant on your job application letter, if you want. That certainly wouldn’t hurt your job chances.</p>
<p>If Stanford can bridge the gap to an acceptable level (less than $10,000/year), then Stanford is a clear winner. But if the total cost of attendance (over all four years combined) at Stanford is in excess of $40,000 of the total cost of attendance at Emory, then I would go for Emory.</p>