Vanderbilt (Full Ride) vs Harvard ($18k/year) vs Yale ($14k/year) vs Duke ($19.5k/year)

[Anonymous]

My kid was lucky enough to be admitted to all three of these colleges. We are debating between the three. He was dead-set on an HYP outcome and managed to get into two of them! He also got into Duke, which was very high on his wish list! However, he got into Vanderbilt and we were stunned when he won a full merit scholarship. We aren't rich, but applied for financial aid and got good funding for all of his favorite choices. Vanderbilt was never at the top of his list, but a full scholarship makes it very tempting. He might go to law school after college, and saving the money would be really helpful for him in the future. However, I am not sure if we are going to regret turning down the Harvard, Yale, or Duke brands.

[Anonymous]

If this is a real post take the full ride.

[Anonymous]

I'd rule out Duke

[Anonymous]

It’s all dirt cheap so whichever

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s all dirt cheap so whichever

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[Anonymous]

Yale 100%. Has the most clout.

[Anonymous]

Harvard or Yale depending on the major. Congratulations!!!

[Anonymous]

Harvard or Yale.

[Anonymous]

Harvard.

[Anonymous]

If it was sticker price at any of those schools verses Vanderbilt, then the choice should be Vanderbilt. But the opportunity cost of an undergraduate Harvard, Yale, or Duke education is definitely worth $14-$20K more than Vanderbilt in my opinion. I'm sure it's a great school, but Vanderbilt has always struck me as a bit overrated in comparison to its selectivity and general academic reputation. The fact that their chancellor always is writing Op-Eds and sending out emails when the school falls in the U.S. News rankings also doesn't really look good. Your child might try negotiating with Harvard, Yale, or Duke with the Vanderbilt full ride to see if they respond with more aid.

[Anonymous]

Call Harvard and Yale and mention the Vandy full ride. They might be willing to give you more financial aid. If you can get H or Y to go under $10k/year, then go to one of them. If they aren't willing to budge, take the full ride to Vanderbilt and save your cash.

Personally, I'd rule out Duke. I'd also eliminate Harvard, because it's very close to Yale in prestige and not worth any price difference.

I'd pick between a cheap Yale or free Vanderbilt. Personally, I'd go with free Vanderbilt. If your kid's going to law school, then undergrad doesn't matter.

[Anonymous]

Harvard or Yale duh. Why would you even consider Vandy. It’s for dumb rich kids. Duke is slightly better but still a big drop below HY

[Anonymous]

harvard. this is a no brainer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid was lucky enough to be admitted to all three of these colleges. We are debating between the three. He was dead-set on an HYP outcome and managed to get into two of them! He also got into Duke, which was very high on his wish list! However, he got into Vanderbilt and we were stunned when he won a full merit scholarship. We aren't rich, but applied for financial aid and got good funding for all of his favorite choices. Vanderbilt was never at the top of his list, but a full scholarship makes it very tempting. He might go to law school after college, and saving the money would be really helpful for him in the future. However, I am not sure if we are going to regret turning down the Harvard, Yale, or Duke brands.

What program?

I would pick Yale in a sec.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it was sticker price at any of those schools verses Vanderbilt, then the choice should be Vanderbilt. But the opportunity cost of an undergraduate Harvard, Yale, or Duke education is definitely worth $14-$20K more than Vanderbilt in my opinion. I'm sure it's a great school, but Vanderbilt has always struck me as a bit overrated in comparison to its selectivity and general academic reputation. The fact that their chancellor always is writing Op-Eds and sending out emails when the school falls in the U.S. News rankings also doesn't really look good. Your child might try negotiating with Harvard, Yale, or Duke with the Vanderbilt full ride to see if they respond with more aid.

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