I've gotten offers from Stanford, NAU, CU, and UNC. Where do I go?

Not all Ph.D.s are the same. One from Stanford in Immunology is superior to many from other places. My wife didn't need to have a "real job", because she received a very decent stipend (and no tuition of course) the whole time she was getting her degree from Stanford. She then got a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the University of Michigan and worked as a Policy Analyst for the NIH. Tony Fauci was her immediate boss...that was her first "real job" post college and graduate degrees.

OP has scholarship offers for undergraduate education.

all butt dissertation wrote:

OP has scholarship offers for undergraduate education.

I know.

holterskolter2 wrote:

[quote]Flagpole wrote:

Big companies take that into account when hiring. They will pick somebody with a 3.5 from a mid level school over a 3.5 from Stanford any day, all else being equal.

Most people will know this is dumb, though want to confirm it for the OP too. I work for a company that does a lot of on-campus hiring and a 3.5 at Stanford is more like a 3.9 at a mid level school.

All else being equal I'd go to Stanford. A few thoughts:

- Stanford education will be better than the rest, with UNC in second

- Remember that you'll likely be away from campus during the summer and there in the fall through spring. This means you'll miss the nicest time to be in Flagstaff or Boulder (the summer) and deal with their crappy winters. Stanford will be great all year, UNC will be fine all seasons

- If you get hurt while in college you'll still be very happy to Stanford. Likely the case at some of the other schools too, but you'd likely regret being somewhere like NAU

- UNC's program is nowhere near the other schools. Also if any of the coaches from Stanford, CU, or NAU leave you know they'll get someone top-notch to backfill them. UNC is a tier below so this will not necessarily be the case

I was in a similar situation at your age and chose the good school over the very best running program and am very glad I did.

I agree with the, all else being equal. But I am betting NAU will cost this kid $100k while Stanford will cost $300k.

UNC Greeley would be best. It’s also low cost of living in Weld County with covid up the wazoo and a nice cowsh*t smell to keep it real

Although they could move weld county to Wyoming. Which will make UNC in Wyoming which will be very confusing.

Stanford is not only hard to get into, but it is considered "rigorous" generally.

Anyone who thinks that as a general rule that companies look down their nose at Stanford graduates is insane. Yes, there are going to be some jealous hiring managers who didn't get into Stanford who believe their degree from Cal State Fullerton is as good or better (it's not), but Stanford graduates are highly sought after both by companies and graduate programs.

Mc Laugh wrote:

I agree with the, all else being equal. But I am betting NAU will cost this kid $100k while Stanford will cost $300k.

Stanford is a "100% need met" school, so the only way it will cost him $300,000 is if his parents are pretty wealthy, and if that's the case, big freakin' deal.

Typical attitude of a spoiled American. So he could save the $200k so that he can donate to his church or to people starving in the world. but no, Flagpole says that if your parent's have money you should spend it.

Was Easy wrote:

Stanford. That was easy.

You have to be delirious to say no to Stanford. Top school in country, and the world.

Anyone asking for advice on a question like this on a running forum isn't bright enough to get into Stanford. You'll flunk out. Go to NAU.

Depends on your major, future career choice, and ideal environment. That is all. Stanford degree is good for some things, while lots of careers won’t care where you go as long as it’s a degree. What do you want to study?

Mc Laugh wrote:

Typical attitude of a spoiled American. So he could save the $200k so that he can donate to his church or to people starving in the world. but no, Flagpole says that if your parent's have money you should spend it.

Do you even know what you're talking about?

Do you realize that if your family makes $75,000 or less, that you get a FULL RIDE (tuition and room and board) to Stanford if you are admitted? $75,000 is ABOVE the average household income in this country.

Do you realize that if your family makes $150,000 that you get FULL TUITION if you are admitted?

Your family can make over $200,000 per year even and STILL get serious financial aid based on need.

Now, to your stupid comment...

If a wealthy family wants to NOT send their kid to Stanford and instead wants to send them to 2 years of Community College and then 2 years at a crappy State college (or not pay for college for them at all even) so they can donate $200,000 to starving people, then they have that option, and more power to them, BUT, IF they want to send their kid to Stanford, and they are so wealthy that they will get no need-based financial need, then they can do what they want with their money, and so also, more power to them. And yes, if they make enough money to send their kid to Stanford and they want him/her/they to go to Stanford, then I have no issue with them paying that money. A Stanford education has serious value.

Human Torch wrote:

Anyone asking for advice on a question like this on a running forum isn't bright enough to get into Stanford. You'll flunk out. Go to NAU.

Agree

Yes I do know. My children didn't apply to Stanford but one of them declined acceptance at three Ivies due to cost. We knew that we wouldn't get much of a discount but assumed that after being admitted, they wouldn't want us taking a bunch of loans. We were wrong. The thing that you missed in your rant is that income is only part of the equation. Our income was only $125k but we had over $1M invested in stocks that they used against us.

UNC Greeley > Stanford

I don't know, go where you think you will fit in the most. Congrats