Prestigious STEM degree and prestigious target university VS STEM degree at non-prestigious target university

Hey everyone,

I have an opportunity but I honestly don't know whether or not I should take advantage of it.

Current situation:

  • Currently studying a normal 'hard sciences' STEM degree.
  • Complete target university but not prestigious or highly ranked.
  • University is located on the opposite side of the country, away from firms that offer worthwhile employment opportunities for graduates. Thus, any kind of worthwhile networking is impossible, unless I take cross-country flights.

Opportunity:

-Applied and was accepted to, another more prestigious target university's 'hard sciences' STEM degree.
-The degree itself is a special type of 'hard sciences' STEM degree. Highly prestigious and best opportunity for STEM students in the country.
-University is based in the same state as all firms that offer employment opportunities (opposite side of the country from current university). Thus, networking becomes a feasible endeavour.

Goals:

Depending on how everything goes, I may want to pursue a startup out of university, rather than a traditional STEM track (Google/Tech Firms, Quant firms, ect). However, good graduate employment opportunities are still on the table.

I'm also keen to possibly pursue employment or further education in the United States. The more prestigious opportunity may offer an advantage in this regards.


I'm not a US citizen, nor a business major. Thus, most of the advice with regards to prestige/opportunities on this website does not seem 100% relevant to my situation.

I was going to decline the offer but something keeps making me hesitant. I originally applied due the the program's prestige and rigour. I will be able to proudly carry the degree for the rest of my life, and the opportunities it could open up for me in the future may be significant.

In the past, I have not seized certain opportunities and have continued to regret it today. I told myself I would never make the same mistake. Now, with this offer, these same thoughts are flooding my mind as I consider declining it.

Older guys, please give me guidance.

 
lebron:

Going on a prediction here: Harvey Mudd currently, looking to transfer to Columbia's ORFE program?

What is a target university that is not prestigious or highly ranked and also on the opposite side of the country as the companies? Isn't that a contradiction?

The bottom section of my post specifies that I am not a US citizen. I should probably have said, "not a US university" instead. My apologies for the vagueness.

Both programs are identical in terms of the double major being studied. Instead, the new program is at a higher ranked and more prestigious target university (both nationally and internationally), better location and recruitment, much more rigorous/difficult and is a specialised (and thus prestigious/exclusive) STEM degree, compared to the traditional STEM degree.

 

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