@Penn95 People have not inferiority complex vis a vis MIT. Its a different kind of school. I do not accept this “HYPSM” group – as you know 
Moreover, as Stanford seems to be primarily interested in recruiting athletes from the top NY schools, It is also viewed differently.
There are some faulty opinions posted on this thread. Columbia is far from unsafe. Crime in US cities has dramatically declined since the Clinton Administration, especially in New York City. The neighborhoods surrounding Columbia have become unaffordable for most folks, as fancy restaurants and new apartment buildings rise in the blocks adjacent to the campus. Have you seen the recent expansions undertaken by Columbia of late? Morningside Heights and Lower Harlem are hot spots these days, more desirable to some people than the Upper East Side.
Have you joined the admitted student groupme? If you have, how do you like either groups? D found U Chicago kids to be much more likable and relatable than other groups (particularly MIT kids) and she quickly became friends with many of them (having streaks with many of them).
D is still uncommitted (in her case there is $200k involved), but I will advise you the same as with her…where do you see the fit? Where will you happily spend next 4 years? Will you get to the same opportunity after graduation if you pick one over the other? Also note, this is a very personal decision and you can’t make everyone agree with you, you just have to make sure that you don’t regret yourself!
Best of luck!
I vote UChicago!!
@Chrchill They most definitely do, MIT has overall strength and prestige/name recognition that only Harvard and Stanford rival/surpass. MIT is less of a niche school than you make it to be (super strong across all of STEM, economics, business, philosophy, linguistics, psychology, creative writing). HYPSM as an acronym exists for a good reason, and that is why most people accept it.
Your point about Stanford is far from the truth. Stanford is viewed as a dream school by the same tippy top students that aim for the ivies etc. Top students from top NYC prep schools routinely head to Stanford (over many ivy league choices). Go to any ivy campus other than Harvard and you will meet many Stanford rejects, people who would have preferred to go to Stanford.
Stanford also does recruit tippy top athletes as well, but that doesn’t mean it is not viewed as tops in terms of strength and desirability.
Stanford comment was made in jest. We will never agree on MIT. Its a tech and STEM school.
This is for Penn95 and Chrchill. What is your occupation? (Keep it real, please). Both of you seem to spend a lot of time on the CC site. Also, you both seem to know a lot about college. How many colleges do you attend? Which ones? And where do you get you info about colleges? Note: I’m asking for a reason. Best, :-*
Agreeing with all the posts to listen more to your own instincts than any of our voices.
Imo, UChicago & Columbia is one of the most interesting ‘which should I choose’ pairings this year, as they have so many points of commonality that the usual quick-sort answers don’t apply. However, I do think that they have a different feel, an opinion that has been bolstered by my collegekids being at the one and weighing whether to accept the other.
So (in the hope that you have actually visited both), I would go back to the baseline: where did you feel most at home and comfortable? That is actually a legitimate way to choose between them. You will have outstanding opportunities at both, and there isn’t a ‘wrong’ choice.
@collegemom3717 I agree that there is no wrong choice. Go with gut feeling. I would just say this. UChicago has tremendous momentum now both at college and law and business school levels. Columbia is stronger than Uchicago in international affairs. You need much more money to really enjoy NY. You will find the social scene at Columbia more stratified but also globally more sophisticated. UChicago still has a midwestern vibe, which can be very low key and comforting. Columbia students are more competitive inter se.
@Plato23 What is the reason …?
Someone very close to me is a Columbia grad and they got an amazing education. This particular person is one of the smartest, most educationally well-rounded people I know (my husband). He had a great experience and wouldn’t have traded it for anything.
@Plato23 i don’t see how it is relevant what our occupation is. I think i have mentioned it somewhere or another on cc but i don’t think it is relevant. To answer your question, some people have favorite sports teams they follow and know everything about, i like remaining really up to date with higher education. It is a weird hobby.
@Plato23 I am a professional Poker player and part time model…