<p>I am a senior in high school from Florida and have been contacted by swimming recruiters from several colleges but at this point I am down to picking between two schools. I am a first generation american so my parents aren't much help at this point and we do not qualify for need based aid. Northwestern University has contacted me and has offered me a spot on their division 1 team with full tuition scholarship. Stanford guarantees me admission and a spot on their division 1 team but no scholarship. I have visited both and have loved them but I am a little worried about the harsh winters in Chicago. Is the name Stanford worth loosing a free 4 year tuition to Northwestern for connections to silicon valley, a better name, and gorgeous weather?</p>
<p>I’d pick NU (My application’s already in ED). Northwestern has great connections also, and it’s top 20 in the world according to one ranking (can’t remember which) so the name won’t be a problem (And I don’t care about name anyway, it’s a trivial difference). Weather’s kind of important, but you can survive, trust me. I’m going from SC to NU, and I’m not too worried. Plus you can look forward to having midnight snowball fights with your friends, sledding, etc. which would all be great memories in the future. That being said, especially if you want to go to Graduate school, the difference between (let’s say you pay 40,000 at Stanford due to some fin. aid they magically find for you) $160,000 and $0 is HUGE after graduation.</p>
<p>There are other important things to consider though, but the money is a huge difference. You might want to consider the local atmosphere, the surrounding city, school spirit, traditions, etc. and other things for “fit” because they’re not that similar.</p>
<p>Crimsonstained7,</p>
<p>" I’m going from SC to NU, and I’m not too worried." That is the kind of confidence and optimism that will definitely (at least in my books) get you in - NU. The very best to you.</p>
<p>decidecollege,</p>
<p>This is one opportunity for you to enjoy the snowy winters of Evanston, which I believe you haven’t experienced at all :-)…and on top of it, you are getting a free ride to an amazing school. </p>
<p>Good Luck to which ever school you pick.</p>
<p>There is no doubt that both would provide great undergraduate experiences, in terms of quality of education, research opportunities, social life, etc. They are considered two of the most well rounded schools when it comes to balancing a sports scene (“typical” college experience) and intellectualism. But, both have very different atmospheres and feel as crimsonstained7 stated, so there are those things to consider. What are you planning on studying? Check out how each school fares for that specific major or course of study.</p>
<p>In my personal opinion, Stanford may have an edge when it comes to recognition, teachers, and alumni, but I do not think that the edge is large enough to pass up a free ride to a REALLY great school. Northwestern’s recognition among top companies is still fantastic, teachers are still world-class, and the alumni base is purple strong. Paying $50,000+ a year seems a little superfluous for a slight leg up.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>If your parents have very low income, you’ll probably get the full cost of admission covered by Stanford through need-based aid. If you get to choose between Stanford and NU… for God’s sake, choose Stanford. Just remember to apply for financial aid.</p>
<p>I think the full ride at NU would be somewhat foolish to turn down, not to mention the fact that NU has a pretty solid track record turning out Olympic swimmers (Matt Grievers, eg.).</p>
<p>When you’re out applying for a job or grad school, I’d be surprised if any employer sniffs at a degree from NU. Yes, Stanford may be more of a name-brand, but NU is also a fantastic school. The fact that they’re offering you FULL TUITION should be a deal breaker. If the Chicago Winter is what you’re worried about, seriously: don’t worry. I’ve lived here for fifteen years, and the rest of the country grossly exaggerates our Decembers. It’s true that Lake Shore Drive is pretty much non-existent after a blizzard, and it’s true that winter starts around Thanksgiving and lasts until St. Patrick’s Day, but seriously: unless you’re driving or walking long distances on a regular basis, it really isn’t that bad.</p>
<p>NUdad, at first I read that as “That is the kind of confidence and optimism that will definitely (at least in my books) get you at NU. The very best to you.” And I was really confused as to how my confidence that I can handle the cold weather pertained to my confidence at school, then I reread it 
Thanks, I hope I get in. I’m applying ED (Common app and transcripts already in), and I’ve got two grandparents that went there, and I’m hispanic, so two hooks I’m very fortunate to have. Plus my CR and M are above the 75% of NU (MY WRITING IS BELOW THE 25% AND I’M REALLY MAD ABOUT THAT, sorry had to vent) and I’ve got a 3.91 unweighted. NU caught my attention 3 months or so ago, and it hasn’t dropped it since. Even after a info session from UVa, and a visit at Furman, nothing has deterred me, sight unseen, from NU.</p>
<p>If I attend NU hopefully I’ll somehow meet you while you’re visiting one day or something, haha.</p>
<p>^Don’t sweat the writing portion of the SAT. A lot of top schools don’t even count it, and it has been the subject of much skepticism in the academic world. Good luck!</p>
<p>Crimsonstained7…I am indeed confident, I will meet you at NU. Best of Luck!</p>
<p>Honestly, if Stanford has offered you admission, take advantage. Yes college is expensive but there’s tons of scholarships. Go to Stanford!</p>
<p>Northwestern.</p>
<p>Millions live in the midwest their whole lives and love it. </p>
<p>First: Make sure you have the right clothes. Buy all of your winter outer wear in Chicago or Evanston area and pay attention to what the locals wear. </p>
<p>Also, airfare from Chicago will cost less which means if you have to fly home for an emergency you probably aren’t going to be stuck with exorbitant airfare. Trust me, with oil prices skyrocketing, the airfare is a consideration.</p>
<p>Also, Northwestern is a well respected school anywhere in the USA. It’s a great place to live, too. It’s not worth the debt to go to Stanford which was ranked last year as a tie for 9th place (this year, the rankings were different)… Stanford can fall in rankings again. Don’t bet on it being ‘up there’ with Harvard. It just isn’t . Top students in California go to UCBerkeley, UCLA, an elite school or Harvard. The students who get into Stanford from California are usually athletes or minorities… not the valedictorians of their schools.</p>
<p>Thanks Sally, I don’t know how I didn’t improve since the summer before Sophomore year, when I got a 4 on my AP Lit exam, and am an editor for my school Newspaper (second best in the state, and highest rating possible in the whole Southeast, may I add but I guess I’m just not that good at grammar, haha. I got 63 MC and 9 on the essay, so the MC killed me, I guess.</p>
<p>Thanks NUDad, I can’t wait to attend (When I hopefully get in).</p>
<p>Go to Northwestern: you get an excellent education in a top city.
- from someone very familiar with both schools discussed here.</p>
<p>“Honestly, if Stanford has offered you admission, take advantage. Yes college is expensive but there’s tons of scholarships. Go to Stanford!”</p>
<p>Ditto…In all honesty, NU is excellent but Stanford is the better institution.</p>
<p>I disagree, Classclown. The difference between a full ride, and piecing together some of the tuition could mean a 100K difference in the future, and that’s a HUGE issue. Discounting that money just because of a minor difference is rash. Stanford may be better, but it’s barely better, and for swimming NU is a lot better, I’m pretty sure. So you have full-ride and better swimming, for “bad weather,” and slightly worse name vs no money (so far), not quite as good swimming, “better weather,” and a better name. There’s a lot more to it than Stanford’s a little better… </p>
<p>I put “bad weather” and “better weather” in quotes is because I love the cold. It’s getting down to 40 where I live, and I LOVE it! I would DESPISE California weather, so the people saying better weather aren’t necessarily right.</p>