<p>I am looking to major in CSE ( if that is the technical name for the major). I know Stanford is more prestigious overall but is it worth the debt? Also I want my college experience to be fun and to have a good time, not worrying about grades all the time and constantly bottled up and studying. I know only I can make the overall decision but any help is appreciated. And please can you try to make it as unbiased as possible if at all possible.</p>
<p>I am not in a position to judge each program like others might be on here who perhaps have attended both. </p>
<p>But I do want to mention one thing: I believe you should not make a decision based upon the (potentially false) assumption that one school will mean you will have to work harder and the other one will mean a more fun and relaxing social life. Try to go by data with this aspect, rather than assumptions or stereotypes.</p>
<p>I agree with starbright. As a CSE major, you’re going to have to work hard at either school. If you go to UCLA thinking you don’t have to study much, you’re going to drown. Now that doesn’t mean that you won’t get to have some fun – it just means you need to be prepared to work hard and pull all-nighters when necessary.</p>
<p>As for the Stanford v. UCLA question, I think it depends on just how much debt you’ll need to take on at those schools. If you need to take on 30K more in debt at Stanford than at UCLA, I would choose UCLA. Of course, what muddies up the question is the current budget situation at the UC campuses. I’ve read rumors that the UCs may have to raise tuitions by 15% every year for the next few years. If that’s true, UCLA’s annual tuition could be over 20K by the time you’re in your final year.</p>
<p>Stanford: You’ll be in debt and will have an easier time finding a job (assuming you’re good at what you do). Possibly good for research.</p>
<p>UCLA: You’ll have to look for a job on your own and won’t be in debt.</p>
<p>It mostly comes down to skill in the end.</p>
<p>People have such wild misconceptions about life here at UCLA. It is a great area but its NOT a walk in the park. I haven’t seen sunlight for two weeks, I’ve been studying nonstop. While Stanford is the more prestigious school, it simply means that their faculty are producing better research, etc. It does NOT mean the classes are going to dramatically (or even noticeably) vary in difficulty. </p>
<p>That being said, it should merely be a financial consideration for you. If you are considering using your engineering background to enter consulting,banking, or finance, then Stanford is a must. For other purposes such as going to graduate school or getting an engineering job, it may not be worth it. But that really depends on how much $$ you have on hand.</p>
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<p>Stanford’s financial aid generosity may actually make it result in less net cost or debt than UCLA, even for many in-state students (for out-of-state students, UCs in general are not very generous with financial aid).</p>
<p>[The</a> Parent Contribution : Stanford University](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/undergrad/how/parent.html]The”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/undergrad/how/parent.html)
[Student</a> Responsibility : Stanford University](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/undergrad/how/student.html]Student”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/undergrad/how/student.html)</p>
<p>However, admissions-wise, it is a reach even if you have “near-maximum” grades, course rigor, and test scores.</p>