<p>We're from IL, and my S is going into Engineering - he's looking at Material Science, and then maybe Patent Law. His safety is Michigan (accepted already). He's got a 4.0 unweighted, ACT 34, and decent activities - so he's got a good shot at IL, but a long shot at Stanford anyway. Just in case, does anyone want to weigh in on U of IL vs Stanford for this path - is Stanford worth double the $$??</p>
<p>My son had to make this choice, and chose Stanford (for CS major). It was worth it for us, but it is impossible to know if it will be worth it for your family…</p>
<p>If he’s a typical Illinois kid with a typical Midwestern personality, then Stanford is NOT worth twice the money. U of I is one of the best schools for materials science (my own field), and if he intends to go to law school, his undergraduate alma mater won’t matter a whit, anyway. He should save the money for law school.</p>
<p>If he is still unsure what to do with his life, Stanford will open his eyes to many more possibilities–and that is worth money for someone with his statistics.</p>
<p>Our D is a math/science nerd but has found her eyes opened to infinite possibilities in the short time she has been at Stanford. She was choosing between UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon and Stanford. Stanford is the perfect place for her. She is a bit of a free spirit who wants access to other departments in college. Other colleges limit access to certain classes for only majors. Stanford provides those options. They are not as restrictive. She is a freshman taking a class that is primarily sophomores and juniors. </p>
<p>Having said that, you have to make the choice that is best for your family. Best wishes on your decision.</p>
<p>UIUC is well known for its materials science program (according to S’s friend who is seriously considering UIUC for grad school).</p>
<p>If he changes his focus while in college, be it materials science or engineering, Stanford offers better overall options.</p>
<p>Wow, a balance thread. Not knowing your family’s economic situation makes it an impossible question. But college is so much more that the ranking of a major. Getting out of state and going to school with an exceptional group of peers can be priceless.</p>
<p>You don’t know what you don’t know until you get there (at least I didn’t turning down top state U for Wharton). Indeed, I learned the possibilities.</p>
<p>Stanford is committed to broad liberal arts education. And it is hard to put the $$ value on intellectual environment, but it truly can make a difference between “just” solid education and a life-changing experience.</p>
<p>I’d save Stanford for Law School.</p>
<p>I agree with hMom5, pretty balanced thread. Financially, it’s doable, not real easy, but doable. We haven’t visited Stanford yet, but we will if he gets accepted, sort of afraid to, since he may not want to leave, and make the decision more difficult. Marite’s thought was another consideration I had based on the JD/MS joint degree offered by Stanford, and mantori’s “typical illinois kid” does hit home as well. Anyone a Stanford alum from IL, or know of someone who is? I’m wondering how the post graduate contacts with friends works out, with most students being from CA. Still torn, but no reason to really fret since he’s not accepted to either yet. What if’s are just fun sometimes. Dec 15th will be interesting…</p>
<p>I got my Ph.D. at UIUC. I got top notch education. That said, I think there is a lot to be said about being at the heart of venture capital driven entrepreneurial innovation taking place right there around Stanford: Yahoo, Google, Sun Microsystem, Xerox… Need I go on? Yahoo was born right there Stanford lab. </p>
<p>In the past, I worked a lot with venture capitalists. Entrepreneurial innovation is practically in the air people breathe in Silicone Valley. Breakfast clubs for aspiring tech entrepreneurs, dinner get together among the funders and those seeking funds, etc.</p>
<p>If your son really want to go to the law school, I would say, UIUC and then a good law school.</p>
<p>If your son changes his mind, being at Stanford will give him the kind of options, exposure, and opportunities that UIUC will never be able to give. There is such a thing as serendipity and being at the right place and right time. A lot of Internet millionaires just happened to the there at the right time. I bet if they had been at Champaign Urbana at that time, odds are good that it did not happen for them. </p>
<p>I am not just rooting for a private elite over public school. If this was Cornell vs. UIUC for undergraduate engineering degree, I would vote for UIUC. Stanford, being at the heart of the Silicone Valley, is a special place for tech people.</p>
<p>I wish I were in the Silicone Valley during the hey days of Internet boom in the 90’s.</p>
<p>By the way, between UIUC and U Michigan, my vote is for UIUC 100%. OOS U Michigan tuition is just not worth it, in my mind, when the other option is UIUC in state.</p>
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<p>I think you’re thinking of L.A., if you get my meaning.</p>
<p>My son,- maybe not-so-typical, but a midwestern kid never the less,- graduated from Stanford 2 years ago. He had 3 job offers with a starting salary way above “average family income” to choose from even before he got his diploma. He is working full time since, and is almost finished with his Masters degree from Stanford, paid in full by the employer. But this is just the “professional” side. The amount of personal growth, and the widening of the horizons are harder to put $$ value on, but they are vast.</p>
<p>Are you absolutely sure you won’t get money from Stanford? Their need based aid program is very generous.</p>
<p>I am a big fan of Stanford and Silicon valley is a big draw And if it were my child, I would push Stanford over UIUC (I urged him to apply to Stanford!). Still, I cringe at the claims that a Stanford education is “life-changing”–as if an UIUC education could not do the same. All colleges provide a life-changing education. Four years spent anywhere beginning at the susceptible age of 18 do shape lives.</p>
<p>Marion Suzuki said:</p>
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<p>Oh my, this is a good one!!! 
OK, I restate:</p>
<p>I wish I were in Silicon Valley. </p>
<p>(BTW: this joke does not apply to me. I am a woman, and hetero ;)</p>
<p>If finances are a decisive factor here, wait and see what kind of FA package your S is offered by Stanford before choosing. Stanford offers very generous packages to middle and even what would be considered, in many areas, upper middle class families. You might be very pleasantly surprised.</p>
<p>“silicone” and “I got my Ph.D. at UIUC. I got top notch education”</p>
<p>that’s not a typo. </p>
<p>I don’t think UIUC would be high on my list</p>
<p>If you’re in Illinois, you might want to consider Northwestern. They have the number 1 material science program in the country, and also are at the forefront of nanotechnology.</p>