<p>Hi everyone. This is my first post on the Vandy board and I'm relatively new to CC.</p>
<p>My son has already been accepted EA at Stanford but we are in that income group, upper middle class, where we won't qualify for any need based aid, but, coming up with 50K+ per year for the next four years will certainly be a stretch to say the least. (529 plan losses, loss of home equity, etc...)</p>
<p>Which brings me to my question: Realizing we are putting the cart before the horse, if my son is fortunate enough to get first admitted and then second a Chancellor's scholarship to Vandy and since Stanford gives no merit based aid, what would be in his best interest for an undergrad school?</p>
<p>A bit of background, he loves both schools, been on both campuses a number of times. He thinks he would like to attend law school, he is a very outgoing, spirited person who has thoughts of someday going into politics. He loves doing community service, not because he has to but because he wants to. He also loves school spirit.</p>
<p>In the event that his law school plans change, is he handicapping himself for job opportunities by missing out on Stanford? In other words, does a BA from Stanford look that much better to a perspective employer than one from Vandy? Will that be a regional issue, for instance if he comes back home to Southern California as a 22 year old college grad? Just looking for a little perspective from people in the know!</p>
<p>Any thoughts are appreciated.</p>
<p>Your son should visit Stanford and Vanderbilt. He should figure out which school fits him. Cost is one factor for college selection, but choosing the best fit college is crucial because you would like your son to attend a college that he is comfortable with. If he attends his best fit college, then paying for it will be worthwhile and it will pay off for the future as he is passionate to learn at the college.</p>
<p>In terms of undergrad education, Vanderbilt and Stanford (very prestigious) both have great academic programs. If he wants to have a lot of connections for grad school and his future law practice, then Stanford is the way to go. Stanford provides the resources and student body for networking. Just ask him to choose the college that best fits him while considering networking, academics, cost, location, etc.</p>
<p>Good for him for having visited both several times. Will he qualify for NMS? Are there other scholarships he could get (not specific to Stanford) that would make the financial decision more equitable?</p>
<p>I think you're in a "wait and see" stage. See what $$ Vandy offers and then go from there.</p>
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In other words, does a BA from Stanford look that much better to a perspective employer than one from Vandy?
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<p>No.</p>
<p>Two extremely important considerations for law school: 1) cost -- IFF your son earns a full ride somewhere, then you'd have $200k in the bank to pay for three years of law school, and he would graduate debt free -- always a good thing. 2) Grades are paramount for top law schools (as are test scores). Since Stanford is known for grade-inflation, A's might be easier to earn there vs. elsewhere. </p>
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If he wants to have a lot of connections for grad school and his future law practice, then Stanford is the way to go...
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</p>
<p>Attending Stanford LAW absolutely for connection absolutely; but undergrad connections dont' give you much in law school. Unlike some schools (for example, USC & Notre Dame) with HUGE undergrad alumni connections, Stanford's are not in that league. For professional grad schools, it's first and foremost about grades. For other grad schools, it's research first and if Vandy has the research you are interested in and Stanford does not, the Stanford degree means less to a prospective doctoral program.</p>
<p>Comment: Yes, definitely putting the court before the horse. Don't jinx it mom.</p>
<p>Deal with this hypothetical when and if your son wins the scholarship at Vanderbilt. Otherwise, you will just end up setting him/yourself us for disappoint by hatching plans with crazy contingencies.</p>