<p>I didn't want to start another "versus" thread, but I had a question comparing Stanford and Harvard. I am very interested in nanotechnology and, as a prospective undergraduate student, have narrowed my search to schools with NNIN facilities. My top 2 (unless someone convinces me otherwise) are Harvard and Stanford. Harvard has the Center for Nanoscale Systems while Stanford has the Stanford Nanofabrication Facility. So, my first question is: Does anyone have any information as to the respective merit of these two facilities?</p>
<p>My second series of questions is more curriculum-based. It is likely, if I decide to pursue a career in nanotechnology, that I would study in Harvard's "Physics and Chemistry" Concentration. Do you all have any recommendations relating to this program? Or any other programs I ought to look into at Harvard?</p>
<p>At Stanford, it is more likely that I'd study something more unique. For instance, I am intrigued by their Symbolic Systems program. I have also looked into their MS&E Department. Do you all have any recommendations for departments to look into at Stanford?</p>
<p>Until you have actually been admitted to both Harvard and Stanford, don’t waste any time deciding between the two. To be perfectly honest, admissions at both of these places is extremely difficult, which means that the odds of being in the position of having to choose between them is essentially in the nano-range. You need to have a few more institutions on your list. </p>
<p>For advice on the specific course program that you should pursue as an undergrad in order to be prepared for graduate studies in nanotechnology, your best bet would be to do some research on those graduate programs. What are the course requirements for the upper-level and grad level courses that you would need/want to take? If you have a particular researcher whose work you admire, it is perfectly OK to contact that person and ask for his or her advice.</p>
<p>As a football player, I have “letters of likelihood” from both admissions departments. While these are not guarantees, it would be an anomaly for me not to get in. I apologize for not including that in the post.</p>
<p>I should also include that I have offers from Yale, Princeton, Rice, and Duke.</p>
<p>Just as a mom, I wonder if the level of football you want to play in college will/should enter into the equation (especially with your academic interests).</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, what makes you prefer NNIN facilities to other nanotechnology facilities? I’m sure schools like MIT and Berkeley have great nanotechnology facilities.</p>
<p>I am under the impression that it is easier for undergraduates to research in an NNIN facility. However, I know that MIT has a few awesome facilities (like the ISN)</p>
<p>Hmm… I’m not sure if that’s true. Are you talking about the NNIN REU program? Only about 15% of the applicants get an internship. You might have a better shot at an NNIN internship if you attend one of the NNIN schools, but that’s probably not be the easiest path to nanotechnology research. </p>
<p>At this point, most major research universities have many professors doing nanotechnology research, and many of them offer research opportunities for undergraduates that are probably easier to get than the REU internships. </p>
<p>Just to take MIT as an example, here are some highlights of recent nanotechnology work done at MIT (most of it outside the ISN):</p>
<p>Harvard and Stanford are obviously top-notch schools, and you can’t go wrong with either one. But if other research universities interest you, I don’t think the existence of NNIN facilities is going to be a big factor in whether or not you have research opportunities in nanotechnology.</p>