<p>Could anyone speak to the advantages/disadvantages of Harvard's School of Engineering? I know it's a smaller program than other schools', but any more information would be helpful. To put this request in context, I've been accepted at both Harvard and Stanford, and am trying to make a decision between the schools. I see myself majoring in Computer Science, but I know that that is possible (if not likely) to change. Thanks for any help you can provide!</p>
<p>If you’re considering Engineering(let alone, computer science) you should definitely go to Stanford!</p>
<p>Here’s a thread with more comments: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/508277-harvard-computer-science.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/508277-harvard-computer-science.html</a></p>
<p>I’m echoing what people said in the above thread, but computer science at Harvard is very good. Stanford is considered better for CS and has a larger department as you mentioned, but some people do like that Harvard’s CS department (and overall SEAS) is small and friendly, and the CS concentrators I know are very happy with it. Harvard also makes it super-easy to cross register for classes at MIT and get credit.</p>
<p>I will say if you’re considering doing something other than CS or engineering, Harvard gives you plenty of excellent alternatives. That’s one of the major reasons I came here. I thought I wanted to be an engineer but knew I might change my mind, and I wanted an array of possibilities to fall back on. Lo and behold, I converted to humanities and social science, so for me, it was probably a good decision. That said, you’ll also have excellent alternatives at Stanford, so I don’t think you can go wrong either way.</p>
<p>Good luck deciding! And if you pick Stanford, enjoy the gorgeous campus and gorgeous weather (not that Harvard isn’t also pretty when the sun is out!). After dealing with the Northeast for my whole life, I really want to move to California after I graduate. :)</p>
<p>Be very wary of statements like “If you’re considering Engineering(let alone, computer science) you should definitely go to Stanford!”.</p>
<p>We would never say that anyone should absolutely go to Harvard instead of x (even though, we really like it here).</p>
<p>Go to a place that you like. Some folks love the West Coast and others the East Coast. That’s not trivial. Some really like being part of Boston and a thriving College town (and for others, that’s not as important — some rural campus in the middle of cornfields can be ideal). In short, definitely visit both campuses and get a feel for the environment.</p>
<p>As for the ‘quality’ of the degree programs – you are lucky to be admitted to two of the leading educational institutions in the world. Wherever you go and whatever end up pursuing, you’ll find fantastic resources.</p>
<p>If you want facts … Harvard is less engineering-centric, and more liberal arts based. It is just a matter of numbers (fewer folks in engineering than at Stanford and a much smaller program). Some find being part of a smaller program more appealing. That said, the educational philosophy of both the Harvard engineering dean and the Stanford dean are fairly similar (the notion of T-shaped, or well rounded engineers). But … Harvard has still produced a lot of tech superstars.</p>
<p>In CS we have graduated some pretty amazing people (and almost graduated some others!). Ballmer, Gates, Trip Hawkins (founder of Electronic Arts), Zuckerberg (FB), Tony Hsieh (Zappos), Al Spector (head of R&D at Google), Sam Yagan et. al. (founders of OkayCupid and SparkNotes) … etc. Some of our students recently were in the WSJ …</p>
<p>[The</a> Unused Cellphone App: ‘Calling’ - WSJ.com](<a href=“The Unused Cellphone App: 'Calling' - WSJ”>The Unused Cellphone App: 'Calling' - WSJ)</p>
<p>While the degree was part of their success … much of it was that they found a way to really take advantage of Harvard.</p>
<p>I really like this essay by one of our students about why she came to Harvard … I think it is honest and direct:</p>
<p>[Why</a> I Chose Harvard | The Harvard Crimson](<a href=“http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/2/12/harvard-india-education-college/]Why”>Why I Chose Harvard | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson)</p>
<p>And if you want to find out more, check out …</p>
<p>[Welcome</a> Class of 2014 ? Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences](<a href=“http://www.seas.harvard.edu/just-for-admitted-college-students]Welcome”>http://www.seas.harvard.edu/just-for-admitted-college-students)</p>
<p>Best of luck with your decision!</p>