UMD full-ride BK for CS OR MIT at full pay — which would you do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PhD is a very long route. I wouldn't do MIT and then get a PhD with all that debt. -- MIT grad with a PhD.

However if it's MIT, 5 year masters in CS -- all the way do it. It'll pay off.

Son's friend took MIT many years ago hoping to get PhD after undergrad. He couldn't get into a PhD program after undergrad. My son told me that his GPA wasn't high enough. Kid ended up going to law school.

[Anonymous]

This is no brainer. MIT any time ! Almost anyone who gets into MIT atleast have 2-3 full ride opportunities from other universities. But MIT is once in a life-time. That too in comp sc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmm this one is actually difficult and I don't usually say that about these types of questions!

Reason being, if your DC got into MIT for CS, he/she is REALLY smart and will most likely be super successful no matter what.

That being the case, they might actually be better off if you invest the money (especially now with the market being down) and give them all of it upon graduation as an investment in future business endeavors. If you were to invest 300-400k, think where it might be in 4-5 ish years.

this is probably true of anyone going to Stanford, Cal, MIT, etc. for comp sci

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC is MIT, and UMD Banneker Key as well. He will take MIT.
Congrats to your DC too!

OP here.

OMG — Congrats! Good to know that your DC will go to MIT. Leaning that way here too at this point.

My DC is MIT, UMD Banneker Key and Caltech! Will take MIT for sure. We will take some loans, but hard to pass off MIT!! Super excited!

[Anonymous]

These are really wonderful options. My kid went to MIT for physics and I actually have a degree in CS from UMD from way back when. If you have the money, I recommend MIT. There is just no comparison between the kind of opportunities, internships, connections and the experience. There are some really excellent people at Maryland. But at MIT nearly everyone is excellent. The peer group and culture is unique. Your kid will get wonderful options coming out of Maryland as well. But part of life is the journey and MIT is a truly amazing experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS had B-K or full pay at Cornell for CS. Is at Cornell. I would have done MD. I think I might choose MIT over B-K though. Congrats!

Can you elaborate why you say you would have done MD? We may be in a similar situation. That's why I am asking.

[Anonymous]

MIT all the way. Will completely change your life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I ask OP how their kid got into MIT and UMD with BK? What was the hook?

I think it is not unusual for a kid who gets into MIT to get UMD Banneker, Berkeley, Stamps Georgia Tech and Caltech. My nephew from a magnet school 3 years ago was accepted into all these and probably some more, but took the Berkeley MET program instead. His other sibling was at MIT at the time, and that was one of the reasons DC decided to go elsewhere. He is very happy at Berkeley, but looking back, MIT was probably right for him.

If you have a choice (finance aside), having a degree from a world class institution like MIT certainly matters!!

yeah I was just asking on the hook. I see the kids get into one are getting into all - my DC is being rejected or wl at all the top and second tier programs with a 1580 SAT - first attempt in 10th grade, 12 APs with mostly 5s, a 4.4W, 3.9 UW GPA and about 30 hours of week of related ECs and top 1% of class. So I'm just curious as to what kids are doing who are getting in. Or did you hire a consultant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I ask OP how their kid got into MIT and UMD with BK? What was the hook?

I think it is not unusual for a kid who gets into MIT to get UMD Banneker, Berkeley, Stamps Georgia Tech and Caltech. My nephew from a magnet school 3 years ago was accepted into all these and probably some more, but took the Berkeley MET program instead. His other sibling was at MIT at the time, and that was one of the reasons DC decided to go elsewhere. He is very happy at Berkeley, but looking back, MIT was probably right for him.

If you have a choice (finance aside), having a degree from a world class institution like MIT certainly matters!!

yeah I was just asking on the hook. I see the kids get into one are getting into all - my DC is being rejected or wl at all the top and second tier programs with a 1580 SAT - first attempt in 10th grade, 12 APs with mostly 5s, a 4.4W, 3.9 UW GPA and about 30 hours of week of related ECs and top 1% of class. So I'm just curious as to what kids are doing who are getting in. Or did you hire a consultant.

NP here. PP I just wanted to say that your kid sounds amazing and congrats on all of their accomplishments. I'm sorry college admissions is so nuts right now! I know your DC will continue to do great things! I'm sure they'll go to a wonderful college in the end where they will thrive!!

[Anonymous]

Your child got an opportunity millions of kids kill themselves for. Do not let it go for any reason. MIT all the way !!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmm this one is actually difficult and I don't usually say that about these types of questions!

Reason being, if your DC got into MIT for CS, he/she is REALLY smart and will most likely be super successful no matter what.

That being the case, they might actually be better off if you invest the money (especially now with the market being down) and give them all of it upon graduation as an investment in future business endeavors. If you were to invest 300-400k, think where it might be in 4-5 ish years.

Some people lost that amount in stocks just this year. Money comes and goes. $300,000 can be made up. It's like an MD taking out $300,000 loan knowing their income can cover it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hmm this one is actually difficult and I don't usually say that about these types of questions!

Reason being, if your DC got into MIT for CS, he/she is REALLY smart and will most likely be super successful no matter what.

That being the case, they might actually be better off if you invest the money (especially now with the market being down) and give them all of it upon graduation as an investment in future business endeavors. If you were to invest 300-400k, think where it might be in 4-5 ish years.

Some people lost that amount in stocks just this year. Money comes and goes. $300,000 can be made up. It's like an MD taking out $300,000 loan knowing their income can cover it.

That sounds reasonable.

Can someone share stats of the DC who got into MIT and Banneker Key? Would love to know!

Congrats to all these kids!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a pre-req that every DCUM poster have a Banneker winner. Amazing.

It’s not unusual for ivy plus students to have a full scholarship offer elsewhere.

PP - That wasn't my point. My point was that this board seems entirely full of parents who have kids in the top top top 1%. That is amazing.

The top top top 1% won the bragging rights. Let them have their place in the sun. We love the rest of the 99% just the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your child got an opportunity millions of kids kill themselves for. Do not let it go for any reason. MIT all the way !!

Congrats to your kid! That brand name of MIT will do wonders for your kid! Are they from MCPS schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD also got Bannker Key UMD and has Georgia Tech full scholarship, Caltech, waitlisted for MIT. Have money saved up, which one would you choose for CS?

Would go with Banneker Key or Georgia Tech (if Stamp), very prestigious both. Keep hopes and she may get off the waitlist for MIT too. She must be having amazing stats to get into all of these!