<p>Hey everybody. I need a little help on a college decision. I got into Stanford and Harvard (yay) but I can't make up my mind where to go between the two.</p>
<p>I love Stanford. I know that it's an amazing school (top 4 in nation), and is laid-back and fun. I'll also be a 3rd generation. I'm pretty sure i'll have a great time.</p>
<p>But then there's Harvard. I love Boston, and would like to go to the East Coast. The education is obviously top-notch and Harvard is... well Harvard. The only question I have with Harvard is whether ill enjoy it. I've heard some stories about people not liking Harvard because it was too stressful/competitive and was no fun.</p>
<p>Can people who go or went to either of the schools help me out? Any advice from anybody would help. Thanks</p>
<p>I have the same exact decision!!!!!</p>
<p>I do not know what to do! It is an impossible choice for me and I think of some of the exact same things that you mentioned.</p>
<p>I would appreciate some input as well.</p>
<p>I had the exact same dilemma too! Choosing between Stanford and Harvard is incredibly hard but I just committed to Harvard yesterday. I felt really sad rejecting Stanford - the weather, chill atmosphere n lifestyle is pretty irresistible. But right now, I have no more regrets and am fully looking forward to Harvard!</p>
<p>Visceral_verve...</p>
<p>What made you decide to choose Harvard? I am very interested to know.</p>
<p>visceral, what made you choose Harvard? What made you like it more than Stanford?</p>
<p>lol. sorry, same post.</p>
<p>I think it comes down to whether you want the "type a" new england atmosphere, or the "chill" west coast feel. The stereotypes definitely don't hold true for all students (my roommate is a surfer from socal!), but I think it does reflect the general feel of the schools.</p>
<p>And it's really personal preference! I don't think I could have handled Stanford... I love being busy. Other people hate it + have some issues at Harvard.</p>
<p>just<em>forget</em>me ...</p>
<p>I can see myself equally happy in both environments. I am a New Yorker and am used to a fast-paced lifestyle, but at the same time find the California atmosphere very cool.</p>
<p>Since you are actually a student ...</p>
<p>The one thing that concerns me about Harvard are the rumors about the very large class sizes, frequency of teaching assistants, and inaccessible professors. In general, some say "Harvard does not care about its undergraduates." Do you think there is any truth to these statements?</p>
<p>I'm probably choosing Harvard over Stanford...but I've been hearing all kinds of things too. Close people of mine are telling me that I'd have to sacrifice social life for my degree. I hope this is not true, I really want mingle and have a great college life - not just a degree!</p>
<p>shortyguru02, well I kind of wanted a highly intellectual atmosphere where I can go around and debate religion, talk about evolutionary biology with people with differing opinions and views. At the same time I love the idea that Harvard provides so much opportunities and I can find my niche pursuing esoteric interests and finding like minded people.</p>
<p>Not to trash Stanford or anything but from alumni gatherings and talking to seniors from my school who have entered Stanford, it seems that the intellectual culture at Stanford is different from Harvard and what I want. People seem more pre-professional - now this is nothing wrong in itself, but I love a place where people can and do study things for the sake of itself.</p>
<p>I'm going to do Biology and love my Photography. If you are as crazy about Biology as I am, you seriously would not be able to turn down an opportunity to see E. O. Wilson and be in the place where Steven Jay Gould taught (sadly deceased).</p>
<p>i agree pgcokie. My decision right now is based on my enjoyment/fun. Both schools rock, but i want to be sure I will enjoy my undergrad experience. </p>
<p>I've heard similar things about Harvard. I'm afraid it won't be as fun as Stanford. If I am convinced Harvard will be fun, I think I will go because I love the location and possibilities in terms of education/jobs.</p>
<p>Someone convince me please!!!</p>
<p>visceral, I like the intellectual discussions and the fun. What's the party scene like at Harvard? </p>
<p>And I'm more interested in studying humanities or social sciences.</p>
<p>and when i say fun, I'm not referring entirely to parties. Fun to me equals a holistic enjoyment/feeling/sense of happiness.</p>
<p>Overall–not true, but a few elements.</p>
<p>All classes are taught by professors (exception some intro language classes, intro math, and perhaps some seminars/tutorials). Some popular intro classes are very large–i.e. intro ec is up to 1000, "Justice" is around 500, intro chem/bio are 200-300. I've been in my fair share of these classes, haven't seen it as a problem. A lecture class really is the same if there are 50 kids or 500 (perhaps busier office hours in the latter... although students still rarely attend!). On the other hand, its incredibly easy to get into tiny classes with great profs from day 1 (most notably with freshman seminars, but I took a 20 person psych class taught by the former director of the national institute of mental health my freshman fall). I like having some seminar style classes where I talk, and other lecture classes where I listen.</p>
<p>In addition to teaching the "exceptions" mentioned above (and most of intro econ) teaching assistants (or Teaching Fellows in harvard-speak) hold weekly sections for professor-taught lecture classes, where you discuss/review material, talk about assignments, etc. TF quality is very up + down, some are amazing + lifechanging, others have poor English skills (in science/math). Usually very easy to switch sections though. I'm sure this is very similar to the system at Stanford–but I'm just guessing! Occasionally a prof will lead one of the sections for his/her class.</p>
<p>I disagree most strongly with the comment on inaccessible professors. Granted, profs aren't going to come to you, but it is incredibly easy to get to know a professor if you take some initiative. All profs who teach a class hold weekly office hours (usually barely attended). Very easy to find a prof to do research with, either during the year or in the summer. Lots of opportunities like student/faculty dinners, open houses, etc, to interact with professors in a casual setting. Finally, freshman seminars (and later concentration seminars) are great ways to get to know faculty. Bigger issue–students are too involved with extracurriculars, social stuff, sleeping, etc, to actually take the time to meet professors.</p>
<p>Harvard party scene: Parties in large upperclass suites (usually sponsored by Undergraduate Council)–free booze, lots of sweat. Large dining hall dances thrown by houses-no booze, lots of sweat. Freshman dorm parties–booze illegal, but common. Student group thrown events–booze, usually members only. Final clubs–free booze, if you're an attractive female, a member, or a connected upperclassman.</p>
<p>Overall, not enough party space, but lots of dancing/drinking/fun/toe-peeing. I had an awesome freshman year.</p>
<p>That sounds great.</p>
<p>Yea it is sometimes difficult to tell whether any criticisms that Harvard gets are warranted or are only due to the fact that Harvard is simply under the most scrutiny by the general public and the media. It is tough, on the outside, to figure out the truth.</p>
<p>Funny enough, it's tough on the inside to figure out the truth too!</p>
<p>There's really no way to measure comparative happiness (read Harvard Prof Dan Gilbert's Stumbling on Happiness for an eloquent discussion). You can only go to one school, no way of knowing how things would have been if you had made a different choice!</p>
<p>True. As long as you are happy and satisfied, no use thinking about how you would feel at another school.</p>
<p>When Chelsea Clinton was trying to decide between Harvard and Stanford a student suggested that college was the perfect opportunity to try a coast different from the one she was used to. That's how she ended up at Stanford. </p>
<p>That said, I prefer the hustle and bustle of Harvard Square over the isolated campus of Stanford. Your milage may vary.</p>
<p>Here's a link that was just posted on the Stanford Facebook group:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA1lVyvabQk%5B/url%5D">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA1lVyvabQk</a></p>
<p>It just amazes me how much fun and energy the students can have after 4 years of hard work.</p>
<p>As for "isolated campus of Stanford": Stanford is right in the middle of Silicon Valley, and right near San Francisco, and directly adjacent to Palo Alto and its surrounding affluent suburbia. It's not "isolated" in the sense that it's in the middle of nowhere, like Cornell for instance, though the campus does indeed act like a sort of bubble if that's what you meant.</p>