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

[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 !!

Now that’s just silly. Yes MIT may be great, but there are still a lot of kids who decline for various reasons, reasons that are right for them. It’s not for everyone, and financial considerations are legitimate.

[Anonymous]

Free ride. Undergrad pedigree is not as important as grad pedigree.

[Anonymous]

MIT is one of the very few schools in the world that I'd pass up a full ride for.
It's really a life changing place to be.

[Anonymous]

If you are doing CS and get into MIT, CMU, or Stanford (these are consistently tied for #1 and within the industry are considered miles apart from all others) and you want to get a full-ride PhD or are willing to work hard for lots of money - then you should always go that route. If your goal is 9-5 topping out around $150 -any of the top 25 schools are good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MIT is one of the very few schools in the world that I'd pass up a full ride for.
It's really a life changing place to be.

Completely agree, if financing is not an issue.

I am an MIT grad, and thought it was grueling and tough on many many occasions. The connections I made, professors who were pretty much all super good, no place to beat all of that. Job opportunities plentiful!

I have a high school freshman who is hard working but not sure if he will have the stats to get into a place like MIT (I wish he does!). I have heard it is super competitive compared to my days when it was also considered competitive. So those of you who have kids who got into MIT, go for it!

[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?

If she has the full ride at GTECH, that is a sweet deal and I would take it over UMD. Waitlist chances at MIT are slim (they usually don't accept any WLs) so why not choose GTech or UMD as if you don't expect MIT. If you get excited enough about either and ultimately get in to MIT you can decide then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MIT is one of the very few schools in the world that I'd pass up a full ride for.
It's really a life changing place to be.

Many ivy plus kids pass up full-tuition offers from elsewhere. It’s really not that unusual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 !!

Now that’s just silly. Yes MIT may be great, but there are still a lot of kids who decline for various reasons, reasons that are right for them. It’s not for everyone, and financial considerations are legitimate.

Yes. But the poster said he has enough money saved up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MIT is one of the very few schools in the world that I'd pass up a full ride for.
It's really a life changing place to be.

yup. Have many adults in my life who went to MIT (including my husband.) It's life changing -- the challenge level, the people you meet, the atmosphere, etc.

[Anonymous]

Congrats. This is based on the fact that you have saved.

These are very different schools with regards to student experience. Which environment does your child like best? For both academic and social? MIT is pretty intense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are doing CS and get into MIT, CMU, or Stanford (these are consistently tied for #1 and within the industry are considered miles apart from all others) and you want to get a full-ride PhD or are willing to work hard for lots of money - then you should always go that route. If your goal is 9-5 topping out around $150 -any of the top 25 schools are good.

CS topping out at $150K? That's pretty funny, I wish I could find talent at 150. Our average developer with 10+ years exp makes 200K with bonus at my company in Virginia. Directors and above are around 300. The difference with MIT is the increased potential to get involved in equity arrangements that can easily land in 7 figures.

[Anonymous]

DC I have 320k for you to use.
1) Go to UMD and keep the money.
2) Go to MIT and spend it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are doing CS and get into MIT, CMU, or Stanford (these are consistently tied for #1 and within the industry are considered miles apart from all others) and you want to get a full-ride PhD or are willing to work hard for lots of money - then you should always go that route. If your goal is 9-5 topping out around $150 -any of the top 25 schools are good.

CS topping out at $150K? That's pretty funny, I wish I could find talent at 150. Our average developer with 10+ years exp makes 200K with bonus at my company in Virginia. Directors and above are around 300. The difference with MIT is the increased potential to get involved in equity arrangements that can easily land in 7 figures.

But can you get in on those equity agreements if you don't already come from a family that is wealthy and connected?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are doing CS and get into MIT, CMU, or Stanford (these are consistently tied for #1 and within the industry are considered miles apart from all others) and you want to get a full-ride PhD or are willing to work hard for lots of money - then you should always go that route. If your goal is 9-5 topping out around $150 -any of the top 25 schools are good.

CS topping out at $150K? That's pretty funny, I wish I could find talent at 150. Our average developer with 10+ years exp makes 200K with bonus at my company in Virginia. Directors and above are around 300. The difference with MIT is the increased potential to get involved in equity arrangements that can easily land in 7 figures.

NP
In your opinion what colleges are worth paying full compared to free at UMD for CS.

[Anonymous]

MIT