ManhattanReview wrote:
It really depends on which safety school you are talking about. If you can stand out from the pool at that school and some of your aspiring companies recruit there even in a down economy like now, you still have a good chance to get to where you want to be.
Stanford may or may not be the right choice for you. We have seen quite some Stanford graduates toiling on similar jobs as grads from schools a few spots below on the ranking table and changing jobs frequently. Stanford is great for innovative and unconventional students who have big ideas. For you as a career switcher, many other well known schools which focus on general management can be a better fit for you. So the choice may not be Stanford and the scholarship school, rather another top school vs the scholarship school.
As the high-paying positions are getting more competitive in the foreseeable future, being debt-free after two years of studies and a decent job could be a very good position with a higher NPV and less stress in your life in the end.
Good luck to you! If you get an interview in a few weeks from Stanford, it is a good sign.
Thanks so much! If you wouldnt mind I might send you a PM with the specifics to hear your thoughts.