Anonymous wrote:Boulder is an acceptable school if you can afford it and can't get in anywhere bette. Arizona is for kids who can get into better schools, but can't afford them.

Almost. AZ is for kids who can't get into better schools (85% acceptance rate is a safe bet for almost anyone)

Question for OP: My DC will likely be in a similar boat next year. Not amazing stats but will apply to both of these schools. Do you mind sharing which others are on your list? We are thinking Syracuse, U Mass Amherst and some small LACs in PA.

And as a hiring manager at my company, I would say they are about equal in terms of where the resume lands. Not as highly regarded as public schools like UCLA, Berkley, UVA, GT or MD (in this area) but about on par with Michigan State, South Carolina, Clemson, etc. even if some of those schools in the second category may be a bit harder to get into.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just a thought...not a lot of personal experience, but CU might have more of a marijuana culture. We found marijuana use really rampant (very striking) on our last vacation to CO. Also have a friend (not in DMV) whose child attends CU Boulder (from out of state) and describes their child as a pothead. Obviously, this will not describe everyone - but it's definitely more overtly used and accepted in CO than in most of the DMV.

I haven't been to AZ since they legalized and don't have friends with kids currently there.

Even before legalization, whenever I heard that someone went to CU, i just assumed it was for skiiing or pot (or both!!!!). Is there any other reason to go to CU? I can't think of any.

If that's your view of the world, you need to leave your bubble more often.

Anonymous wrote:This is just a thought...not a lot of personal experience, but CU might have more of a marijuana culture. We found marijuana use really rampant (very striking) on our last vacation to CO. Also have a friend (not in DMV) whose child attends CU Boulder (from out of state) and describes their child as a pothead. Obviously, this will not describe everyone - but it's definitely more overtly used and accepted in CO than in most of the DMV.

I haven't been to AZ since they legalized and don't have friends with kids currently there.

Even before legalization, whenever I heard that someone went to CU, i just assumed it was for skiiing or pot (or both!!!!). Is there any other reason to go to CU? I can't think of any.

Boulder is an acceptable school if you can afford it and can't get in anywhere bette. Arizona is for kids who can get into better schools, but can't afford them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colorado has more lay prestige back east.

More 1% types go there.

AZ has more Instagram models and girls chasing that look if that’s important to him.

What type of girls is he into and what type social activities?

If you can afford it, Colorado 10/10 times vs AZ

I'm not sure you understand what "prestige" means. If the name of the school doesn't give you an actual bump (and most don't), the school doesn't have it. If I see CU on a resume, I think, "This kid chased the snow." If I see Arizona, I think, "This kid chased the sun." Neither is a point for or against the kid; the schools are both solid. I care how they did there. A 3.5 at one carries the same weight as a 3.5 at the other (or at most other flagships); no more, no less.

+1. NP, in state for Boulder. I think this is right.

I would prefer Boulder for the weather. But, it comes at a high price out of state. OP, costs should be considered.

Boulder has 300+ days of sunshine per year. Tuscon way hotter.

Anonymous wrote:Colorado has more lay prestige back east.

More 1% types go there.

AZ has more Instagram models and girls chasing that look if that’s important to him.

What type of girls is he into and what type social activities?

If you can afford it, Colorado 10/10 times vs AZ

I'm not sure you understand what "prestige" means. If the name of the school doesn't give you an actual bump (and most don't), the school doesn't have it. If I see CU on a resume, I think, "This kid chased the snow." If I see Arizona, I think, "This kid chased the sun." Neither is a point for or against the kid; the schools are both solid. I care how they did there. A 3.5 at one carries the same weight as a 3.5 at the other (or at most other flagships); no more, no less.

This is just a thought...not a lot of personal experience, but CU might have more of a marijuana culture. We found marijuana use really rampant (very striking) on our last vacation to CO. Also have a friend (not in DMV) whose child attends CU Boulder (from out of state) and describes their child as a pothead. Obviously, this will not describe everyone - but it's definitely more overtly used and accepted in CO than in most of the DMV.

I haven't been to AZ since they legalized and don't have friends with kids currently there.

Anonymous wrote:Mountain versus desert?

Yeah, I'd say the towns and terrains are more different than the schools. CU and Arizona are both solid flagships. I'd call Oregon a similar school also out west if the lush greenery of the PNW is more appealing than either the mountains or the desert. (Sub in Oregon State if interests run more to the sciences than the humanities.) Kansas is a similar school where admission is almost certain and the COA should be modest; Lawrence is a great college town, but it's surrounded by...Kansas. Many more options as you move east.

Colorado has more lay prestige back east.

More 1% types go there.

AZ has more Instagram models and girls chasing that look if that’s important to him.

What type of girls is he into and what type social activities?

If you can afford it, Colorado 10/10 times vs AZ

If you can afford CU Boulder out of state, then visit both and compare.
https://www.colorado.edu/bursar/costs/fallspring-costs/undergraduate-nonresident
https://financialaid.arizona.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/incoming-transfer

Mountain versus desert?

Boulder would be much more expensive vs merit at Arizona.

My kid is pretty undecided on what he wants. His stats are not amazing, but he’s likely to get into both. And what other schools might be similar? He’s smart, just hasn’t been super hard working in high school but seems to be maturing. He is social and will want good school spirit. Major undecided.