| Wow. This is tough. It all depends on your long term goals and who the hell knows those well when they are 18? I certainly didn't and I doubt you do either. (Your goal is pretty squishy, no offense.) If I were you, rather than pick a career goal, I'd like a few things that are important in your life and structure your career around them. So then the question is what gives you the most optionality towards what may be your goal? As others have said, the PhD may or may not be a goal after a few years of college (or, haha, a few years of PhD studies). So I'd focus on the bachelor's. Then the question is, what do you gain from Z vs MIT. On the Z side: * Financial freedom (bc full ride) * Some opportunities On the MIT side: * Higher caliber acquaintances and friends * Pedigree I am here to tell you that you can have a successful career (in terms of money) without any pedigree at all. But on the other hand I had one high school acquaintance with the exact same gpa and she went to MIT and has had a far more illustrious career than I (was also more ambitious too). The question then becomes what do you value the most: the connections and pedigree and career achievements or the financial freedom and the chance to make your own way? I have chosen the latter through most of my life and been pretty happy, but that's me. What about you? PS the comment to ask MIT for more money are spot on; it never hurts to ask. |