<p>If you compare Stanford and Berkeley’s websites, you’ll notice something rather interesting. Berkeley keeps on reiterating how it’s “one of the best universities in the world” with a “world reknowned education” and “world-class scholars.” But when you look at Stanford’s website, they never mention how Stanford is the greatest. It seems that Stanford takes a show-not-tell approach to describing itself, whereas Berkeley tries to overtly brag that it is the best. </p>
<p>For example, here are two excerps from each school’s undergraduate admissions site:</p>
<p>Stanford University:
"We know that applying to college might seem intimidating. But the experience of completing your applications doesnt have to be.</p>
<p>Our best piece of advice? Embrace the challenge of applying as an adventure. Discover who you are. Explore your passions. And imagine the possibilities that await you.</p>
<p>If you do you will be rewarded in the end regardless of which campus you eventually decide is the best fit for your college experience."</p>
<p>Berkeley University:
“Although the Berkeley campus is widely regarded as one of the premier teaching and research universities in the world, there is no way to classify a Cal student. UC Berkeley is home to top scholars in every discipline, accomplished writers and musicians, star athletes, and groundbreaking scientistsall drawn to this place because of the wealth of opportunities it holds for creativity, innovative thinking and progress.”</p>
<p>It seems like Stanford has so much confidence in itself that it doesn’t need to brag about how it is “widely regarded as one of the premier teaching and research universities in the world” or how it is “home to top scholars in every discipline.” Stanford even tries to assuage the fears of the college applicant, and even remarks that “applying to college might seem intimidating. But the experience of completing your applications doesnt have to be.” Stanford also tries to do what is best for the applicant, even if that applicant chooses to go elsewhere, and states that “If you do [ discover who you are and explore your passions] you will be rewarded in the end regardless of which campus you eventually decide is the best fit for your college experience.” </p>
<p>Why can’t Berkeley be this caring and personal to its applicants? Instead of praising itself, Berkeley should take the perspective of the anxious high school senior. I don’t think it helps the applicant when you keep telling him how uber-selective and great your school is, and therefore imply how dauting of a task gaining admission can be.</p>
<p>yes, i'm a stanford fan...and i still dont think it's appropriate for you to post that on this thread uber...stanford and berkeley are both great institutions...comparing admissions websites to justify which one if better is just pathetic..i'm sorry but it is</p>
<p>they are both GREAT places to be and one is lucky to be accepted at either institution. We dont really care for their website now, do we? We care abt their programs, teachers, students, and overall atmosphere. So, just as people express their feelings in various ways, so do universities. Remember from 3/8/05: ONLY 23 DAYS!!! :)</p>
<p>I'm sorry, but I have to agree with this guy on a larger scale. And I'm actually a Berkeley student just to put things in perspective. Berkeley is a bragging school, and to an extent, they do have bragging rights. They have the amazing research and famous faculty. But does this actually translate to happier smarter students and better teaching? Not necessarily.</p>
<p>This "bragging" occurs all the time in actual class sessions. For example, every few sessions, our CS teacher will remind us that we are "the best of the best" and the "cream of the crop." The teachers will shove it into everybody's face and remind people that they are attending "the top school in the world" and cit "recent studies" and "polls" like the US News report to show that Berkeley is the best. Who's to determine that? </p>
<p>I came here to learn, not to hear a school gloat about its successes.</p>
<p>If you're a huge state university surrounded by MIT and the Ivies on the East, CalTech immediately down South and Stanford on the West you probably DO have to keep reminding yourself of the Berkely cache. A very forgivable indulgence I think.</p>
<p>You should go to another board. Berkeley students are without a doubt, least arrogant about attending Berkeley. The website doesnt matter.
Stanford students, though, are a much different story.</p>
<p>I think that we Berkeley students are pretty arrogant about such things, simply because we feel that we are underrated; number 21 on the US News rankings? We feel that we warrant a bigger spot on that, which I believe is a perfectly legitimate thing to think.</p>
<p>And I think people too often misinterpret our bashing of the fair school on a farm in Palo Alto. It's all in good fun; it's a rivalry, after all. I know that in a serious conversation, any Berkeley student will acknowledge that Stanford is a fantastic school, one of the best in the world. But in just simple banter, it's fun, and so easy :-D to bash 'em.</p>
<p>I agree with pookdogg. Yes, some of the students at Berkeley are arrogant, but most stop caring by their second semester here. We mostly bash Stanford around the time of the Big Game, but other than that Stanford is an awesome school. Most students here concentrate on their studies/activities rather than gloating about the school.</p>
<p>As someone whos not picky about schools or have to adamantly defend any particular one of them, I agree with uber. Stanford's statement does sound nice and welcoming, but that doesn't make berkeley bad; though it would be nice to have less boasting here and there. Anyways, it's not representative of the school, perhaps simply of the people who create and maintain the site.</p>
<p>There's sort of a negative connotation that comes with being a public school. Berkeley kicks Stanford's ass in lots of things, but a lot of people don't realize that. Stanford can choose whoever they want to make up the student body. Berkeley accepts many kids who pick Stanford or an Ivy league instead. How else would you entice those students to come to Berkeley without bragging?</p>
<p>first off.. tell meee... why'd you have to go and make things so complicated!! see.. the way you're acting like somebody else gets me frustrated...
blah blah blah..</p>
<p>Stanford wins... because.. Cal has William Hung... a man without shame.</p>
<p>Btw. i didn't apply to stanford.. because i thot everyone who goes there is a snob.</p>
<p>I heard a story while waiting to be interviewed for UCB Regents: there are several labs in the Bay area which will hire Berkeley students over Stanford students, if given a choice. The explanation given was that Berkeley students don't need to be told how to get from A to B.</p>