Harvard or Stanford

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Going into the application process, Harvard was absolutely no doubt my #1, but I ended up getting wait-listed. Stanford was my #2/3 with Yale, and I got into Stanford but denied by Yale. I was pretty disappointed about not getting into Harvard because for the past year or two, it's really the singular goal that I've been working towards. My brother went there seven years ago and so I have since had an attraction to the school.</p>

<p>Because I was wait-listed, I couldn't attend Visitas, but I did go to Stanford's Admit weekend in the past few days and I really enjoyed my time there. I walked onto the campus feeling like I was "settling" for Stanford in place of Harvard, but I quickly felt very comfortable. I met some people that I became fairly good friends with over the three days and I'm now eagerly looking forward to September when I'll be able to see them again.</p>

<p>Since getting wait-listed by Harvard, all I could imagine was getting the phone call telling me that I had been accepted. A week ago, I fully expected myself to break down in tears if I got into Harvard, but I'm not so sure about that now. If I get in now, I'm sure I'll still be excited, but the decision I have to make will be much more difficult than I anticipated.</p>

<p>I want to study Math, and I will go into college at either place expecting to major in it. I'm also interested in Computer Science and Physics, but I haven't taken any CS classes and I've just taken AP Physics C. On the other hand, I've taken a Multi-variable class and a Linear Algebra class that were both very theoretical. I've gotten a good look at more advance math and I'm confident that I love it.</p>

<p>In terms of what I want to study, Harvard and Stanford have me split. I won't be taking Math 55, but I think I could take Math 25 at Harvard. Their pure math program is generally accepted as being stronger than Stanford's. (A professor at Stanford called Harvard's math department a "powerhouse.") However, Stanford has the best Computer Science program and an excellent Math/Computer Science joint program. (I think Harvard has a better Physics program, but I feel like that's becoming less of an interest for me.) Stanford also has a significantly better engineering program than Harvard, and I am interested in that as well.</p>

<p>I feel like in more widespread terms, Stanford is a better fit academically, but Harvard is better in the subject that I am absolutely going to study and am most interested in, math. Harvard is better in a more focused view. However, four-years is a long time, and I would not be surprised if I fell in love with those other subjects and ended up doing a joint major with Math, or a double major (which you can't do at Harvard I believe), or a Math minor. These are subtleties that will reveal themselves further down the line, long after I've made this decision.</p>

<p>Looking at the other aspects of the school's, I'm not really sure which one has an edge. I really like Harvard's more urban campus and the housing system. I liked Stanford's campus (how could you not?) but I think I'd prefer Harvard's environment. The weather actually favors Harvard in my mind; I'm a Wisconsonite through and through and I love the cold, and really dislike heat. However, I'm also coming to realize that much of Harvard's appeal to me was my familiarity with the school as a result of my brother, and Harvard's prestige. The first issue will be moot after a few weeks on campus and the second issue makes me feel guiltily arrogant. I think if I were to get in, the ego-boost would take away some of the appeal. I think that, knowing that I eventually got into Harvard, and that I could have gone there if I wanted, I will be much more comfortable choosing to go to Stanford. But I won't really know what feelings will bubble up if I get accepted until it happens.</p>

<p>I'd love if some people could give their opinions on my situation, especially if they were in a similar situation. Of course, if I don't get in off the wait-list (which is likely), none of this will be an issue. (I think I'd breathe a sigh of relief knowing that I wouldn't have to make such a tough decision.)</p>

<p><em>I have posted this on both the Harvard and Stanford forums.</em></p>

2

<p>Stop worrying about the strengths of their math and science departments. When you’re talking about Harvard and Stanford, it’s pretty pointless to split hairs between the two greatest universities in America.</p>

<p>You will have fun and learn a lot at both schools. The question should be: Where can I see myself the happiest in the next 4 years? (like I said, you’d probably love both)</p>

3

<p>Stanford is a terrific school and it sounds like it’s a good fit academically. As you know, the chances of getting off the H waitlist are slim so embrace Stanford, Thirstymonkey, embrace it and don’t look back.</p>

4

<p>

I actually kinda hate Stanford’s campus. I grew up near there, and had some bad experiences there when I was pretty young. (I thought it was magical! A few events proved that it was not. I don’t really like Silicon Valley weather, either.)</p>

<p>I think you should just wait, as you seem to sort of know. You won’t be able to make this decision until (when/if) you get off the wait-list. The one thing I would definitely advise against is taking a spot on the z-list, if it is so offered. I have nothing against the z-list sometimes: one of my friends was headed to Bowdoin and strongly considering a gap year anyway when Harvard offered to take her. That pushed her over the edge on the gap year, and Harvard and Bowdoin are very different places. Harvard and Stanford? Meh. Not worth the extra year if you weren’t going to take it anyway.</p>

5

<p>I was in the opposite situation. I loved Stanford for a very long time and I was certain that should I be lucky enough to gain admission, I would matriculate there in a heartbeat. I did not care much for Harvard and I literally tossed in an application with a ‘For *****s and giggles’ kinda of attitude. Surprisingly, and going against all odds, I got into both. </p>

<p>Something that has really struck me during the decision process is that Harvard and Stanford, despite having vastly different campus cultures, are eerily similar. They could be mistaken for the same school. Any difference in academics, especially at an undergraduate level (except for the engineering program, but I’ll come to that later) are really negligible. However, like I have said, the campus culture is different and you need to find which resonates better with you. Judging by your experiences at Stanford, I can tell you enjoyed it there. Go there and prosper! </p>

<p>In the end, I actually gave Harvard a chance and fell in love and there is where I enrolled. I mean I would have gone to Stanford as well and thrived. (I wish I could split myself into two, seriously!)</p>

<p>A note on engineering: Stanford’s engineering is undisputably better than Harvard’s. However, at an undergraduate level, the only significant effect of this is in the breadth of programs offered i.e. Stanford has way more engineering programs than Harvard (ChemE notably). However, for the few Harvard offers, it does so at a very high level of quality. This is reflected in the grad school placement levels in which most of the graduating engineers from H, who want to go to further their engineering knowledge, go mostly to Stanford or MIT. Therefore you will not be faulted for pursuing it at H, despite what posters at College Confidential would love you to believe.</p>

<p>I’d advice you to keep your mind set on Stanford and fully invest your energy there! You will have a wonderful experience!</p>

6

<p>I would have to Harvard over Stanford. The reason I would choose Harvard over Stanford is because I want to go to medical school.</p>

7

<p>^ Yeah, after all, going to medical school would be REALLY hard with a degree from Stanford. Psh… Stanford.</p>

8

<p>Stanford doesn’t have a very strong pre-med program. There engineering is almost as strong as Berk’s</p>

9

<p>^ Stanford’s pre-med is as strong as any other top school’s. And “there” engineering is as strong as Berkeley’s, if not stronger (engineering rankings in general put Stanford ahead of Berkeley, but I won’t make the claim that Berkeley isn’t as strong as Stanford in engineering just because it’s generally ranked lower than it).</p>

<p>To the OP, I think you should forget about this unless and until you get off the waitlist. Considering how unlikely that is, this really should be a non-issue.</p>

10

<p>Dude your in stanford and your dissapointed!!! What wrong with you?</p>

11

<p>I was told it was weak by a Stanford Med Professor who advised not taking a pre-med track if you are going to Stanford</p>

12

<p>^ Stanford has amazing Med-school placement btw.</p>