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First off, congrats! That’s insane. Full disclosure, current applicant, rejected from Stanford and have yet to hear from Vandy. It seems very obvious based on your massive pros list that you want to go to Stanford, but are mainly concerned about debt. It comes down to the price tag. Idk if Stanford ever matches aid, but before you get your aid info, I would write a carefully-crafted letter w the help of your advisor to their financial aid office letting them know that you have a scholarship at a separate school and really want to attend Stanford but it comes down to cost (if that ends up being the case). Good luck! Both are great choices.
 
Chickenpotpiesoup said:
First off, congrats! That’s insane. Full disclosure, current applicant, rejected from Stanford and have yet to hear from Vandy. It seems very obvious based on your massive pros list that you want to go to Stanford, but are mainly concerned about debt. It comes down to the price tag. Idk if Stanford ever matches aid, but before you get your aid info, I would write a carefully-crafted letter w the help of your advisor to their financial aid office letting them know that you have a scholarship at a separate school and really want to attend Stanford but it comes down to cost (if that ends up being the case). Good luck! Both are great choices.
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By have yet to hear I mean haven’t interviewed ^
 
Congratulations.

Many years ago I had a similar choice and went with the scholarship. School was fine but I didn’t realize I needed to network better for a competitive residency in California. If that’s your plan consider you’re likely going to spend an additional four to seven years after med school in training and there’s a good chance that will be somewhere not in California.

If you do IM or a non competitive residency you should be fine at Vanderbilt.

Four years in a place you don’t agree with the politics will serve you well. Good to know how the political minority where you’re from feels.
 
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Yeah.. First off, congratulations!!!

Both are great schools. Pros and cons are not even needed in this case. I assume you put cons for Vandy just for the sake of it.

Yes, Stanford is well known across the world not only for medicine but for because of recognition in other disciplines, too. Vandy cannot beat that prestige. If you can afford, throw that 400k and get that prestige whether you are here in US or move back to Asia in future.

As far as medical education is concerned, comparison between these two schools is a pointless discussion. You will get great medical education at either of the schools.
 
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100% Vanderbilt. It’s still a very very well known name and being debt free is unbelievable. Vanderbilt will not hold you back in any way! $400,000 for a slightly fancier diploma on the wall and a few more “Ooh”s and “Ahh”s at social gatherings is not worth it, in my opinion.

Now as @Chickenpotpiesoup said, if Stanford were to match that or even meet you half way, it would be a different discussion!
 
Your stand is based on where you sit. If OP's parents are sitting on few millions and they are as crazy for the name of Stanford and willing to shell out 500k, why not? Some other deserving candidate will get that scholarship at Vandy. The only advice one can give is don't take 400k loan for the sake of Stanford prestige particularly if the other school is Vanderbilt.
 
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soapapple said:
Your stand is based on where you sit. If OP's parents are sitting on few millions and they are as crazy for the name of Stanford and willing to shell out 500k, why not? Some other deserving candidate will get that scholarship at Vandy. The only advice one can give is don't take 400k loan for the sake of Stanford prestige particularly if the other school is Vanderbilt.
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this is a very valid take
 
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