Caltech [$90k+] vs Columbia [$90k+] vs UCSD [full ride] CS/AI

AustenNut
Sat, 05 Apr 2025 19:21:21 +0000

jym626:

These are all good choices. Please focus on your mental health first and foremost. If you don’t, it may not matter which school you choose if you are struggling.

Catcherinthetoast:

Your parents have the financial capacity to be encouraging you to metaphorically stay at the Ritz Carleton and eat the finest of steaks. I would suggest thanking your parents and enjoy the accomodations and meal as such opportunities are far and few between.

If this was a choice between Harvard and The College of New Jersey or Marquette, I could see your point. Schools are similarly-sized, have an array of areas of study, are in locations that are urban or close to state government, etc. So if you want to use this as an example of a Holiday Inn (and there are some very nice Holiday Inns) vs. the Ritz Carlton, then so be it.

But Cal Tech and UCSD are extraordinarily different experiences. It’s not just a matter of the amenities or name brand…it’s a completely different experience. It’s like the difference between someone who loves skiing and is deciding between going to Aspen/the Alps or climbing Mt. Everest with skis on their back and planning to ski their way down (if it’s even possible). Nothing wrong with either option, but they’re extremely different.

As an FYI:

Holiday Inn Aruba

Ritz Carlton Aruba