<p>I was recently admitted to several schools, including Columbia and Stanford, which I think are my top two choices, and I am having a tough time deciding between the two. My intended major is Classics, and I think I would like to pursue a doctorate after college. I would appreciate information on the strength of the humanities in these two schools, their perceived reputations/prestige, differences in school personalities, and what the political climate is like at the school (i.e. how politically correct are they really?)</p>
<p>I'm leaning a bit towards NYC, probably, but I honestly think that just in terms of location, I would be happy at either one. The other factors are more important to me.</p>
<p>If you are seriously considering the Classics major, you might as well be informed that Stanford has probably the fastest growing Classics department in the nation in terms of faculty, research diversity, and overall quality. I don't know how it exactly compares with Columbia's, which is also very good. Stanford's strengths are, among others, classical archeology and ancient history, which I would not hesitate to dub as ones of the nation's top.</p>
<p>Really? I'll take your word for it, but my understanding is that Stanford has been focussing more and more on science and technology and less and less on the humanities. Relative strength of the Classics departments is a big determiner for me.</p>
<p>Hi miller. I'm glad that I get to point this out to you. Stanford, of course, is the leading university in science and engineering. However, it also has very strong humanities and social sciences departments. Among others, Stanford's Political Science, English, Economics, and History programs rank consistently within top 5. I would even dare to say that Stanford is stronger than Columbia in most of the said disciplines. I don't understand why, but I think Berkeley, Cornell, and Stanford are the schools that are very strong in liberal arts yet better advertised as science and engineering institutions.</p>
<p>Btw, I went to Berkeley as an undergrad and am currently attending Penn as a grad student. So I'm not particularly biased in one way or the other. I study ancient history and work closely with Classics field. Please let me know if you have further questions.</p>
<p>From an educational perspective, Columbia and Stanford are both very good schools, and either would easily foster your interests in your intended discipline. However I know more about columbia than i do stanford. Columbia college has one of the most renowned faculty members in humanities/classics and their program is regularly revered for its promotion of humanities and classic studies. This is my opinion on Columbia, hope it helps you.</p>
<p>Columbia's classics program is stronger than Stanford's. Overall though I would say Stanford is stronger in the humanities (and will be more respected by PhD programs), but they are very close. NYC is great though. Tough choice.</p>
<p>I would add that Columbia students are pretty socially aware, politically active, and cool (there are probably more druggies and crazy avant garde parties at Columbia). Stanford is a pretty tame environment, more nerds/athletes, and the student body is much more goody two shoes or innocent. Stanford students are nicer than Columbia's probably and less clicky.</p>
<p>Which school would you characterize as more intellectual? Both schools will, I am sure, have extremely smart students, but the impression I have is that Columbia students probably engage in more intellectual discussions.</p>
<p>I can't comment on the classics departments.</p>
<p>But I'd characterize Columbia as more intellectual. Several differences: Columbia because of its core curriculum attracts more humanities students and, since even science/math students at Columbia have to take the core, they also tend to be at least tolerant if not actively interested in humanities. Because of the core, everyone is reading the same "great" books at the same time. It's a kind of humanities boot camp. The idea of the core is not to have famous professors giving their view on great works (you can find that in your classics courses), but to get students together in small groups and to actively engage in writing, reading, thinking, and discussing ideas. There is also an east coast/west coast difference in my opinion. Perhaps the weather and the outdoors are such a big draw in California that people are more likely to go bike riding or play frisbee than sit around and discuss Kant.:) Columbia students are known for speaking up and expressing their opinions. And, of course, NYC offers tremendous cultural resources that you will not find in suburban Palo Alto.</p>
<p>Stanford is a great school with some brilliant students, obviously, and some excellent humanities departments. However, it is a science/engineering powerhouse that draws many students who might otherwise go to a place like MIT, and who merely endure the required humanities requirements. </p>
<p>If you can, visit both and sit in the classrooms. I think you will find a very different atmosphere between the two.</p>
<p>Thanks, that's really helpful. I will be visiting both schools later this month, although my impression is that the classes they shepherd us into for their Admitted Students Weekends will probably be model classes, not necessarily representative of the average course, which is why I appreciate all the insider info.</p>
<p>"However, it is a science/engineering powerhouse that draws many students who might otherwise go to a place like MIT, and who merely endure the required humanities requirements."</p>
<p>I disagree. I believe it attracts many humanities majors, too, because of its strength in those areas, not to mention the social sciences and liberal arts.</p>