University of Miami with Merit money vs. UVA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son was in somewhat the same boat-- choosing between a full ride at Miami and an Ivy with no merit aid. We liked Miami, but my son just could not turn down an ivy after working so hard in high school. This is his third year in college and he already has a job lined up. But he may go to graduate school instead. The resources he has accessed at his ivy are truly incredible. They offer many paid internships and fellowships. He has done research overseas twice paid by school grants. So we are pleased with his choice. I am sure he would have been very successful at Miami too, but he is very happy with his choice.

I'm just putting this in bold for the Ivy league nay sayers who have zero understanding of some of the inherent value of attending such a school.

But does it really matter? What's the difference between that example vs. a public U kid doing research at the school? The merit of research is in research itself, right? Not where you do it, how much you get to do it, or whether you do it overseas vs at the school?? I don't get this "money buys results" attitude.

Clinical psychologist here. I just finished sifting through this year's batch of graduate student applications to the PhD program at my highly ranked university. Answer to your question? It doesn't. I repeat: it does not matter where you go to college, who you do your research with, or where you do it. Ignore those that argue for the (non-existent) edge one gains from going to a university ranked in the top-30 instead of the top-50. I only care about what you did while you were in college and whether you can hit the ground running in my research laboratory. This year alone, we accepted students from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Samford University, Wofford College, University of Maine at Presque Isle and Holy Cross College. I never heard of any of them. Doesn't matter. What I care about is that you can write, possess superior critical thinking skills, and can follow through from the fetal state of an idea to the analytical tests to the interpretation of the results to dissemination of this work to the world. Don't spend extra money for badges and stars and the ability to brag to your friends at the Chevy Chase Club.

[Anonymous]

Clinical psychologist, your perspective is highly limited. You are just another academic. Who cares what you look for?

[Anonymous]

Parent of U Miami soph again- he regularly mentions how happy he was going with his gut and $, and he could have been in an ivy, Berkeley and a few other ‘top 30’ schools. Seems to have at least two advisors and professors who appreciate his talent, they recruit talent from around the world and many of the best (particularly in Marine Sci/architecture/Music/and lately business under new leadership) want to spend some time in Miami. Can’t blame them! Also the new dorms planned for 2019 are state of the art and green as green can be. UVA is simply a different vibe altogether, and you have to drive to go anywhere. U Miami very diverse in comparison, too.

[Anonymous]

Also OP— make sure he does attend Cane for a Day after a day at UVA- that’s where my kid turned from Berkeley

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Clinical psychologist, your perspective is highly limited. You are just another academic. Who cares what you look for?

Umm.. He's someone who actually selects students for Ph.D programs.. and.. you are not..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Clinical psychologist, your perspective is highly limited. You are just another academic. Who cares what you look for?

Umm.. He's someone who actually selects students for Ph.D programs.. and.. you are not..

No, that's true, I have a PhD but I actually employ people, there is a huge difference, a much greater risk and more money to be lost. Its called the real world, not an ivory tower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Clinical psychologist, your perspective is highly limited. You are just another academic. Who cares what you look for?

Umm.. He's someone who actually selects students for Ph.D programs.. and.. you are not..

+1

I was think the same thing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Clinical psychologist, your perspective is highly limited. You are just another academic. Who cares what you look for?

Umm.. He's someone who actually selects students for Ph.D programs.. and.. you are not..

No, that's true, I have a PhD but I actually employ people, there is a huge difference, a much greater risk and more money to be lost. Its called the real world, not an ivory tower.

I disagree completely. I don’t think you have a PhD or are at all familiar with the admissions process. There is an *enormous* risk in selecting a PhD class especially in fields like psychology where pretty much everyone gets funding for their 6+ years in the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Clinical psychologist, your perspective is highly limited. You are just another academic. Who cares what you look for?

Umm.. He's someone who actually selects students for Ph.D programs.. and.. you are not..

No, that's true, I have a PhD but I actually employ people, there is a huge difference, a much greater risk and more money to be lost. Its called the real world, not an ivory tower.

I disagree completely. I don’t think you have a PhD or are at all familiar with the admissions process. There is an *enormous* risk in selecting a PhD class especially in fields like psychology where pretty much everyone gets funding for their 6+ years in the program.

+1 Clinical psychologist here. (Not the PP who admits students.) Getting into a PhD program at a top school, especially clinical psychology, is insanely difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd go Miami even if same cost. UVa is over-rated and unknown outside of VA. Totally different than other first tier pub U like Michigan, Berkeley, UCLA and such

I live in Northern VA and UVA is totally overrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd go Miami even if same cost. UVa is over-rated and unknown outside of VA. Totally different than other first tier pub U like Michigan, Berkeley, UCLA and such

I live in Northern VA and UVA is totally overrated.

you again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd go Miami even if same cost. UVa is over-rated and unknown outside of VA. Totally different than other first tier pub U like Michigan, Berkeley, UCLA and such

I live in Northern VA and UVA is totally overrated.

UVA is underwhelming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Miami is not a no name school. That's utterly effing ridiculous. Everyone has heard of the University of Miami.

In Miami, yes.

umm, everywhere. I am a European and I heard of it.

I am a European with an Ivy education. Fully aware of UVA since I was a teen. Literally never heard of U of Miami until this thread, and I am living in DC, almost 50.

Then no offense but you have been hiding under a rock. WOW.

+1

Not saying Miami is the best choice, but the fact that you haven't heard of it indicates that you are a bit of an oddball.

[Anonymous]

drake shot a music video recently at u miami not uva.

[Anonymous]

Miami is a good school, but it has a stigma of being a "rich kid party school" that is more focused on glamorous lifestyles than academics.

I'm not sure if that's any worse than UVA's reputation of being the safety school for preppy NOVA kids.

Either way, neither of these schools are worse $200K+.