<p>I was wondering what your other options are? Would you be able to afford Northwestern if you chose not to swim there? As enticing as the scholarship is–free money!!!—it’s not really free if you end up not wanting to continue swimming for whatever reason. Would you choose either school without the swimming? Is there a school you might like that that has good swimming that might give you some academic merit money so that if you chose not to swim you would still be in good shape financially?</p>
<p>PhotoOp – the weather at Stanford is NICE! Year round! I lived on the campus one year. It was glorious in winter compared to the east coast, so that would make it even gloriouser than Evanston with that cold wind off the lake. Stanford has tennis weather year round. The average high in January is high 50s but there are 70 degree days too. The daffodils come out in early February. The weather is much better than San Francisco, which is only 25-30 miles to the north because of the geography of the bay (the Golden Gate sucks the fog in) and the mountains to the west (they grab the rain before it hits Stanford.) The Stanford campus is beautiful, and the surrounding hills and mountains…ah… (You can also go cow tipping, but don’t.) The Pacific is impressive and the beaches about 45 min away over a twisty road through redwood forest are beautiful, clean, and not crowded. I know the money might be crazy to walk away from, and Northwestern has a wonderful reputation too, but I think it is very hard to beat Stanford as a place to live/study/graduate from. If I was applying to college today, and could get in anywhere and afford anywhere, I would pick Stanford. If you don’t think you are going to swim all 4 years, pick Stanford, since you will have to pay at NU once you stop swimming.</p>
<p>I agree, Stanford is beautiful and Northern CA can’t be beat. However, if you’re choosing between the 2 schools based on physical criteria, consider whether you prefer an urban environment over the suburbs. Northwestern is close to downtown Chicago and all it has to offer. Stanford truly is in the middle of nowhere. That’s why they call it the Farm. It’s a long, long way to San Francisco via public transportation (and yes, the weather is much better down there than in SF.)</p>
<p>TheGFG,</p>
<p>The salary was for CS and EE grads, who typically enjoy the highest starting salary. It is NOT the starting salary of typical Stanford grads fresh out of school. I posted it just to qualify your “top salary” comment. It’s irrelevant to the OP since he’s not planning to major in CS/EE.</p>
<p>That article is also irrelevant; those were companies founded by Stanford affiliated entrepreneurs that include professors and alums of graduate programs; I bet many of them were in CS/EE or MBA. They are in no way representative of the future path of an average Stanford undergrad or stats major.</p>
<p>Northwestern’s MMSS and Kellogg certficate programs are awesome and I thik they probably fit the OP’s interest. I am very sure a typical grad from either/both of those programs graduate with more offers with top companies than an average Stanford senior.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.mmss.northwestern.edu/[/url]”>http://www.mmss.northwestern.edu/</a>
<a href=“http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/Certificate.aspx[/url]”>http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/Certificate.aspx</a></p>
<p>I wouldn’t go so far as to say Stanford is in ”the middle of nowhere”. Its in Palo Alto, which is in Silicon Valley/Peninsula. Palo Alto has shops and restaurants and the Stanford Mall is nearby. Anything you ever needed can be purchased on El Camino Real. It is a 35 min drive to San Francisco. I used to commute to SF every day by car when I lived there. Stanford has Zipcars available for students. Northwestern is not in Chicago. It’s in Evanston, and yes there is public transportation, but it’s also a long ride into the city.</p>
<p>OK, maybe Palo Alto wouldn’t be considered “the middle of nowhere” to a lot of people, but perhaps to a college student, it’s not exactly the most compelling college town. Kind of a sleepy place for 20 year olds compared to Berkeley or SF.</p>
<p>^^Just to give a more correct perspective. Stanford is about 35 miles from the San Francisco city limit while Northwestern is only 2 miles from the Chicago city line. I suspect the “long ride” probably refers to the ride between Evanston and downtown Chicago, which is about 13 miles from NU campus (excluding the wait, it takes about 45 mins on a regular train and 30 mins on the express). But the most happening Chicago neigbhorhoods are all between Evanston and downtown Chicago, hence closer and shorter ride. </p>
<p>Regarding the zip car, you’d spend $16 just to drive back and fro between SF and Palo Alto ($8/hr). One can do the math for the rest of the trip.</p>
<p>Even Evanston is more happening with better dining scene and more places to go for students than Palo Alto.</p>
<p>Op, as for weather, yes, Stanford is warmer than NU. Since you are from Florida, both places will be much colder than you are used to. I now live in Southern CA, and consider Stanford area COLD (I lived near Stanford for 18 years). In the winter, temps are usually 35 degrees in the morning and then warm up to a max of 55 degrees. But at least there is no snow. Would you have to swim in an outdoor pool at 35 degrees? </p>
<p>As for immediate surrounding areas, both Stanford and NU are in suburbs-type areas. But NU you can take mass-transit into Chicago, 20 min away, while there is no real mass transit near Stanford, but you could probably rent a Zip car if you want to hit SF.</p>
<p>$240,000 is a lot of money for weather. (on the other hand, I know many people who choose to live in CA and take an decrease in income and increase in taxes and cost of living in exchange for weather, so maybe I shouldn’t comment. A colleague called it a “Sunshine tax”; but there does not seem to be a “Sunshine tax” in FL).</p>
<p>In CA, most people would consider Stanford and NU fairly close reputation-wise.<br>
Would a math major want to be close to the Chicago Board of Trade as a potential quant?</p>
<p>Sam, when I commented on salary upthread, we didn’t yet know the OP’s intended major. I simply said IF s/he’s going to major in CS or EE, then s/he can expect good internship earnings and early career earnings. Later I countered your claim of $80,00 with your own data which suggests the figure would actually be higher. Also, I concurred that NU might be best for the OP for financial and major reasons, but remember that people very often change their majors and if s/he is good at math s/he might find she wants to take advantage of Stanford’s tech scene. Secondly, Stanford connections at Stanford grad-initiated companies help people in many other majors too. My D met a Stanford grad at a recent job fair and now has an interview lined up for a job in finance. Her roommate is an earth systems major and also got a job this summer at a company in NYC started by Stanford grads. </p>
<p>Stanford is NOT in the middle of nowhere. The campus is called the Farm because it was once a farm and the university still owns lots of land. In fact, it is the largest contiguous campus in the US and second in the world. But you can walk right off campus and into Palo Alto for pizza, fro yo, rodizio, or whatever you want. There is plenty of civilization around it, including a mall across the street. And there is a CAL train stop right on campus! It’s not that long a ride to the city; students go into SF all the time. Last weekend D went with friends for Ghiardelli’s ice cream, and other times she has met people in the city for dinner.</p>
<p>I could care less where someone I never met goes to school, but the OP deserves good information upon which to make a decision. It’s ridiculous to assert Stanford is in the middle of nowhere, for example.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>WHAT? This is SO not true. Must be a tourist talking. Chicago is not just Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park. Evanston is adjacent to the Chicago city limits. Chicago is a huge, vibrant, and super-fun city. There are countless things to do and places to go all the way from Evanston downtown, with a large concentration about 10 minutes away on the north side (ethnic restaurants, clubs, and so on). And Evanston has a ton to do as well. It is VERY easy to get into the city on the El or by bus.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say Stanford is in the middle of nowhere but it does not have the number or diversity of attractions that Chicago does–especially things that would appeal to (and be AFFORDABLE to) college kids. </p>
<p>Like the OP, I went to Northwestern from Florida. Winters can be cold but that’s what NorthFace/SmartWool/Underarmor/Uggs are for. Plus you’ll have a break over the holidays and spring break. NU has a ton of kids from California, Florida, Texas and so on who manage the weather just fine. And it is true that Northern California is not the same as Southern. A lot of fog and damp. Not the kind of place where you are going to spend every weekend at the beach.</p>
<p>What is amazing about the Stanford weather isn’t warmth per se but rather the SUN! The sky is a gorgeous, cloudless blue about 300 days a year. Very low humidity. Rarely gets hot (even in the summer), but you enjoy day after day of weather that’s perfect for enjoying the outdoors, surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains. Even in the midst of winter, it might rain for a brief period in part of the day, but often clears up by the afternoon. Sigh…</p>
<p>^You are right! My first visit was in January. Although it was a little chilly and rainy in the morning, by the afternnoon the sun came out and it was actually hot!</p>
<p>"Palo Alto, CA climate is mild during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 60’s and cool during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 50’s.</p>
<p>The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 78.80 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is December with an average minimum temperature of 39.20 degrees Fahrenheit.</p>
<p>Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 22 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 18 degrees Fahrenheit.</p>
<p>The annual average precipitation at Palo Alto is 15.71 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is January with an average rainfall of 3.24 Inches."</p>
<p>from: [Palo</a> Alto Weather | Palo Alto CA | Conditions, Forecast, Average](<a href=“http://www.idcide.com/weather/ca/palo-alto.htm]Palo”>Palo Alto Weather | Palo Alto CA | Conditions, Forecast, Average)</p>
<p>Yup. Keep in mind that those average temps include nighttime.</p>
<p>In 2007 that mall “right across the street” didn’t have a thing in it that would appeal to a 20 year old, except the worst pizza I’ve ever had. I have tried to like Stanford, and encouraged my son to apply, but I don’t like it or the surrounding area. But I am fully aware that plenty of people love it! I do encourage a visit to both places before you decide if you can possibly swing it. Here’s a pamphlet about getting around the Stanford area without a car: <a href=“http://transportation.stanford.edu/pdf/thriving-at-stanford.pdf[/url]”>http://transportation.stanford.edu/pdf/thriving-at-stanford.pdf</a></p>
<p>TheGFG,</p>
<p>I don’t know why you were telling me how Stanford isn’t in the middle of nowhere in a post apprently addressed to me. I wasn’t the one that said that; what I said was Evanston is more happening than Palo Alto. I went to Stanford not that long ago after all; I’d think I know what I am talking about.</p>
<p>The OP also might want to consider the hassle of traveling to each school. Chicago is an easy nonstop flight from most cities in Florida. Getting to San Francisco from Florida takes much longer and will require a connecting flight more often than not.</p>
<p>I think it’s fair to assume that most students who choose Stanford aren’t looking for a fast-paced urban environment. But Stanford does provide an exciting intellectual environment in an (arguably) idyllic setting, with one of the great cities of the world (San Francisco) within reach. Just my two cents. :)</p>
<p>TheGFG,</p>
<p>I went to Stanford not that long ago; I wouldn’t be the person that would mischaracterize it as “middle of nowhere”. </p>
<p>What I said was Evanston is more happening than Palo Alto with more eateries, stores…etc in the downtown area. Palo Alto is also more spread out; you can’t easily get around on foot alone. Even walking to Uversity Ave from the dorm takes like half hour; riding a bike means you’d need to find a place to lock the bike, which isn’t always as easy as it sounds. For a big city person like me, I definitely felt the differenece. For others, that may be negligible.</p>
<p>Stanford is very easy to love UPON VISITING. The campus is perfectly manicured; the Quad looks awesome; the weather is often sunny; the athletics facitilies are awesome…what’s not like about it? I was exactly like that when I saw Stanford and turned down Berkeley without hestitation. But after a while, the campus felt very sterile and Palo Alto was too sleepy; I believe I would have enjoyed my time more socially if I were at Berkeley instead. Granted, I was a grad student and not a college student so my experience isn’t entirely applicable. But not having the college experience does allow me to judge more solely on the location and there’s no question that other than the weather, Evanston provides more including much easier access to the city.</p>
<p>Also, you make it sound like every Stanford grad would get a decent-paying job easily even in this economy using anecdotes.
<a href=“http://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/cdc/jobs/salary-grads[/url]”>http://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/cdc/jobs/salary-grads</a>
The average starting salary for BA/BS in the humanities & sciences was $33,250.</p>
<p>I think this nicely illustrates the concept of “fit”. For a big-city person, Stanford might be perceived as boring. To a small-town person, Stanford can be perceived as heaven.</p>