<p>The SAT ranges are interesting in light of the fact that Stanford has over 800 varsity athletes, many of whom do not have the "stats" that the pure academic applicant-types have. Does this mean that the non-athletes are even higher at Stanford to push those ranges up?</p>
<p>I know a few varsity athletes at Cal and they absolutely love it. For the person whose daughter may be playing a high level club sport there, if your daughter will get the normal academic advantages of a varsity athlete--first choice of classes, housing, etc.--then that, combined with the automatic "family" of the sport team, makes it seem it a much smaller place than it does for the undergrads who don't arrive on campus with a ready-made society. I kind of agree with dstark--most of the kids I know at Cal are quite happy. I did hear about one girl at UCLA who was feeling the way thedad described about her experience at UCLA but that was early in the year and I haven't heard lately whether she's feeling better.</p>
<p>Patient - I thought about the athlete factor when I wrote my post, but decided not to mention it because, as I understand it, the Ivy League schools also admit many athletes with lower stats than other applicants (even though they do not give athletic scholarships like Stanford). I am not sure if recruited athletes are a larger or smaller percent of the total class at Stanford, because the student body is smaller overall at Princeton. But, as you and I both know well, there is certainly no shortage of VERY smart kids at Stanford!</p>
<p>Both schools are excellent, obviously. Princeton fields a huge number of varsity teams for a school of its size. In fact, that is one reason the admin wants to expand the student body, to change the ratio of athletes to non-athletes.</p>
<p>In our town on the East Coast students have been admitted to Stanford and not to Princeton. Do I think this is because Stanford is less selective? No. I assume it is the geographic diversity phenomenon. It is silly to try to say one of these is better than the other. </p>
<p>One other factor to consider is where your d thinks she might like to settle after college. As someone whose kids attend college not far from home, I can tell you it is a huge help when it comes time to interview for good summer jobs and to make contacts for later on. Many students at Princeton spend summers working in NYC or DC. Of course, many others may get great summer jobs elsewhere, for all I know. Might be worth a call to Career Services to ask. Of course, there are many students who go to various parts of the world at the university's expense. </p>
<p>Re "buff blondes" at Princeton, etc., this is a non-issue. If a student is outgoing, friendly, and involved in campus life she will get to know people and find her niche. </p>
<p>In case I sound as though I am going back and forth here, I am. Just trying to offer info and raise things for you to consider, rather than selling you on either choice.</p>
<p>I am sorry that I have no specific knowledge of any of the schools from which your daughter is choosing, but I did want to lend my hugs and support as you help her sift her way through such an amazing and exciting group of options! I know this is a difficult thing--right now, it seems as if the repercussions will be enormous, and certainly they will be significant. I will simply echo what many have said--that she has three excellent options and she will be able to accomplish wonderful things at any of them!! Thinking of you and sending you many hugs...</p>
<p>Calmom, I agree with you not pushing kids on the other coast theory and " the thing about snow is that the novelty wears off relatively fast, esp. in a bad winter. Also, no one ever tells us west coasters that the east coast has a lot of cold, icy rain in addition to, and sometimes on top of, the pretty sparkly snow (which melts and turns into icy brown sludge)", so true,from my experience living in the East Coast for 3 years.
Yeap, I moved to the East Coast because I interviewed for a job in the fall(fell in love with the gorgeous fall foliage) but after living there for 3 years I knew I never wanted to go back there again, it's not just the snow but the 4-5 months of gray, no colors. Also some people do get SAD(I did, if you're used to the sunshine) and get depressed which could affect their study and affect their grades. Not to mention some college adjustment. So everything should be kept in perspective.</p>
<p>Yeah. I am also surprised by that comment. Berkeley was the best experience of my life. I used to be such a typical LA image conscious person, with the whole attitude and everything. Then after Berkeley, I feel that I turned into a completely different person. I actually feel like I have a soul now and a purpose... hard to describe really.... hehe</p>
<p>Why are there parents on this forum asking questions for their kids? No offense, alumother, but you should let your kid do her own research -- it's part of becoming independent.</p>