Harvard V. Stanford Decision HELP!!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
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<p>Hey!
So by some lucky chance, I've been admitted to both Stanford and Harvard, and I'm having one hell of a time choosing. I live in the greater Bay Area so I'm familiar with the Stanford campus (which I absolutely love!), but I think Boston and Cambridge would be a good fit too. The following are some questions I have considering both schools, and if anyone can answer one, I would really appreicate it! Thanks! </p>

<p>1) Location, Location, Location... Harvard's in a thriving college town, Stanford's suburban. How does that reflect on college life? Is there still a strong sense of community at Harvard, and does it get really dull at Stanford during the night and weekends? </p>

<p>2)Undergraduate Emphasis: Is there enough student and teacher interaction at both schools? Is there a tendency at any of the two for a professor to push most of his teaching responsibilities to a grad student? </p>

<p>3) Elitism... I come from an inner -city, so I'm a bit worried about the elitism at either campus. There was a very intriguing article in the SF Chronicle about how low income students find it hard to fit into the Stanford scene, and it's a general assumption that I will be surrounded by preppy trust-fund babies at Harvard. Is it difficult to fit in due to the uptight elitism at either campus? </p>

<p>4) Majors: I'm really interested in majoring in International Relations and/or Public Policy at Stanford, but I have yet to find an equivalent major at Harvard. Does any existing Harvard major match what I want to study? Is it hard to switch out of a major at either school? I'm considering law school (hopefully concentrating on international law), so is there a specific Harvard major best suited for that? </p>

<p>5) Jobs: I'm certain I will have no money to move immediately into grad school, even though I want to. At which campus would I have a better shot at landing a job immediately upon graduation(bonus if the job is related to law)? </p>

<p>6) Because I don't want four years of staying up crying at 3am in front of a textbook: I know that both schools are cut throat, but I've also heard the duck analogy associated with Stanford (you know, seemingly very relaxed students who also study hard but don't show it publicly), and I've heard of students dragging sleeping bags to the library in preparations for a final at Harvard. Do these analogies correctly apply to these schools? </p>

<p>7)Will I be stuck there?: I don't want to spend all of my life in the Bay Area, but I also don't want to permanently move to the East coast. MY parents are afraid that the moment they let me go to Harvard, I'm never coming back to Cali. Is it true that you stay where your school is? </p>

<p>Thanks!!!! ^_^</p>

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<p>read the S/H thread on the parents' forum - it will answer some of your questions.</p>

<p>1)It is a matter of taste. Both campuses have their advantages and disadvantages - you'll have to decide which one is a better fit for you.</p>

<p>2)There is more emphasis on undergrad at Stanford</p>

<p>3)There is probably some elitism you'll see at both. At Stanford, I think, it is not "intentional", fwiw...</p>

<p>4)No idea</p>

<p>5) You will have no problem finding a job as a graduate of either one of those schools.</p>

<p>6)Stanford is not cut-throat. At all. You will have to work hard, especially at exam times, but the atmosphere is friendly and cooperative.</p>

<p>7) You only stay where your school is if you like it there.</p>

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<p>Harvard !!!</p>

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<p>Stanford!!!</p>

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<p>seriously toss a coin !</p>

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<p>Toss a coin and then cover it up for a moment. Pretend (convince yourself) that the outcome of the toss determines where you eat, sleep, and learn for the next four years. Then look at the coin and immediately gauge your reaction. Were you like "oh. okay.." or like "woohoo!"? If your reaction was with reservations, pick the school that represents the opposite side of the coin.</p>

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<p>I would definitely choose Harvard, the ultimate academic dream. In my opinion, the Stanford people are too laid back. I know being laid-back is seen as positive, but that's simply who I am not. Believe it or not, I prefer the more pretentious/snobbish atmosphere of Harvard. Maybe I'm just weird. Harvard also has instant name recognition around the world. Stanford is prestigious, but no school's prestige can rival that of Harvard's.</p>

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<p>Stanford only the labs are taught by TAs, not true for Harvard. I had Linus Pauling teach chemistry.
The LSJUMB is at Stanford.
San Francisco for breaks and the Pacific Ocean and Stanford's own lake.
Stanford's football team has been to the Rose Bowl and their women's basketball team may be #1.
Harvard is known as the "Stanford of the East".</p>

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<p>I thought that Stanford is the "Harvard of the West"</p>

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<p>to try to pick between them on an academic basis is pointless...visit both, see which one YOU prefer, then go with it...the education at both will be excellent, and employers/grad schools will treat you the same if you went to one or the other.</p>

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<p>Absolutely true kingmo1990! Perhaps when students agonize over whether to attend Harvard or Stanford it is not really a question of which school is better, but a reluctance to give up one or the other of these marvelous opportunities.</p>

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<p>No, Iam
Look it up in the dictionary.
Harvard is the "Stanford of the East". It is printed in black and white</p>

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<p>1) There is a strong sense of community, but it is a little 'bubbly' alot activities are on campus.
2) Probably true, Stanford definitely CARES about undergrads ... from what I've seen for 2 years they try their best to make sure you have all the resources to succeed</p>

<p>3) Absolutely false ... I don't think there is a more open community than what I've seen at Stanford. There is very little class elitism among any group frats/sororities etc. Yes there are a lot of rich kids but they don't seem to be elitist at all.</p>

<p>4) Dunno ..</p>

<p>5) Whether or not you get a job will depend on how hard you work. You have a great shot at all the consulting type jobs at either school... both have pretty heavy recruiting. You definitely have a huge edge going to stanford if you want to do an engineering/tech job.</p>

<p>6) All I can say is that the duck analogy isn't really that true. Yes people do study hard but no one takes sleeping bags to prepare for finals or anything like that. Honestly I'm doing CS and its considered a 'hard' major and I've yet to pull more than 1-2 all nighters.</p>

<p>7) No ... i don't think you'd be stuck there ... you can find internships in NY or other places.</p>

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<p>I just wanted to thank everyone for the advice, I really appreciate all the thought you guys put into your responses!
Ultimately, after alot of soul searching, I've decided to go to Harvard just for the experience and adventure. However, part of my heart is still in the Bay at Stanford. Good luck to all of you going there!</p>

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<p>Hey otech, congrats. Many years ago I made the same choice that you did. (only it was automatic, I didn't agonize about it, and Stanford in those days was much less appealing I think than it is now). 4 years later I was back in the Bay Area and except for travel, have been here ever since. Harvard, if you do well, opens doors everywhere, including the Bay Area. Work hard, have fun, have a great 4 years and come back soon.</p>

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<p>otech</p>

<p>have fun at Harvard!</p>

<p>All the best to you!</p>