Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or Stanford?

College Search & Selection
1

Although early decision applications are not due for another seven months, I thought it was appropriate to begin my college search. I understand that I have plenty of time to decide which school I will apply early to, but as of now, I’m stuck in a dilemma because I cannot choose one over the other. I have read dozens of forums along the sort, but I thought maybe giving some background information about me may also affect your response. Also, before making negative comments along the lines of, “You should be happy to get into one, if at all,” which, quite frankly, I must admit is true, please understand that I just am deciding where I should apply early.

So share my dilemma with the CC world…

First, I’ve visited all these colleges, and I must say, I loved them all. The college campuses were all amazing, and I cannot choose one in favor of the other. In fact, I’ve tried to make my final judgments based on my searches of “_____ campus” on google images, but my decision seems to vary depending on my mood. Images of a sun-kissed view of Princeton’s campus during sunset makes my heart sink with an overpowering emotion of awe, images of Yale’s gothic and breathtaking architecture on a bright spring day leaves me with an indescribable yearning to go there, and the same for the rest. I absolutely admire the different styles of the campuses.

So, if I were to choose in terms of campus beauty, I’d be deadlocked.
But, I want to also know your opinion. Personally, in terms of campus and campus only, which do you prefer?

My biggest dilemma actually stems from my peers. Just from the handful of people I converse with, I know that many people want to apply to either Harvard or Stanford for early. Now, in terms of academics and extracurricular, I personally think we are all on the same boat, so no one person is at an advantage over the others. But the fact that I have to face the tremendous competition just within my school makes me more hesitant to apply early to these schools. Now, I understand you guys may say that competition exists not only within my school but around the world, but long story short, from the region I am applying (which includes schools in Germany, UK, Italy, Belgium, Japan, Korea, Guam) only ONE person gets accepted into the school (Actually, I’ve heard of people getting into Harvard every year from one of the countries, and once in awhile Stanford and Princeton, but not from Yale. I might just be missing out because there are truly thousands of students who are part of this region). But considering that just within the group of people I know there are several who are applying to either Harvard or Stanford, I feel as though if I have equal interest in Yale and Princeton, I should apply to one of these schools.
What do you think I should do?

So, apart from my dilemma and into some basic facts about my plans in college, well, I plan on majoring in the science field, more specifically in either biology, chemistry, or biochemistry.

Please post what your personal opinions are, and also, based on my lengthy discussion, where do you think I should apply early?

Thank you to all of you who are taking the time to read and reply. But if you’ve taken the time to read this and are planning to exit this thread, why not be extra generous and help this poor soul?

2

What are your PSAT or SAT scores?
What is your GPA?
What are your extra curriculars?

I would spend all your efforts finding schools that you would be more likely to get into.
Look at CC now and see how many waitlisted student there are that applied to all the top schools and were only admitted to a local college they don’t really like.

3

From a campus-only perspective, while I have my own bias (boolaboola), I would say the Stanford campus and its attendant mild weather would probably give it a large check-off, next to its name.

4

Ok, campus/ location only:

  1. how do you feel about winter?

  2. sounds like you are international. Do you want to be able to go back home easily, and if so, is it easier to go from the west coast (e.g., China) or the east coast (Europe)? Coast-to-coast US is about 6 hours flying time, fyi.

  3. seriously, how do you feel about winter :-)? Boston is unlikely to see another ‘snowiest year ever’ so soon, but when you are picturing the campuses, add several inches of snow to HYP. Stanford might be rainy (please, please, send rain!!) but a lot of the late fall/winter/early spring it will still be gorgeous and sunny.

5

@washugrad‌

  1. I can tolerate all weather conditions. My favorite season is fall, and all the colleges I’ve listed have the fall season, so I don’t mind! I like all seasons, whether that’d be the brutal winters of the NE, specifically Boston. :smile:
  2. Although I technically am international, I’m not considered international for my college admissions! My parents are also planning to move to the state I end up attending college in!
6

Just as a FYI…Palo Alto does not really have a fall, especially in the sense of the NE. Actually what they do have, is an Indian Summer—e.g. a late injection of balmy weather.

7

Why aren’t you considered an international? Do you have visas? Your parents can’t just move with you without the proper paperwork.

8

Since those are private schools they don’t care in which state your parents live.

9

One major difference is location. The east coast and the west coast have very different vibes, especially California vs. New England. With Stanford, you’d be closer to beaches and it would be a lot warmer, but you wouldn’t experience the same kind of classic fall that you would in New England.

The settings are also different. Harvard is in a much more urban setting than the others; Cambridge is pretty big and is also very much a part of the Boston metropolitan area. New Haven is a medium sized city, but not nearly as big as Boston. Stanford and Princeton are both small towns, but Stanford is much closer to San Francisco and San Jose than Princeton is to New York. So Princeton is probably the most isolated.

I must second other posters in saying that you should also start thinking about other more realistic options. No matter how qualified you are, you really can’t expect to get into any of these schools ED. It’s a toss-up for anyone.

10

choose the school based on which one has the best science program you want to go into. Looks and climate are not the point of going to college… obviously they’re all pretty beautiful. I suggest applying for two or three reach schools and several other match or safety schools. Do your research. the chances of getting into an Ivy league school are so low that it would be worth your time to visit and learn about other schools too, to keep your options open. Also these schools can cost up to 70k a year without financial aid, which could be an enormous burden on your family.

11

Helen of Troy, Venus de Milo, Ingred Bergman, or Sophia Loren?

12

@MrSamford2014‌ you forgot Alison Brie. As for the OP, if he deems himself qualified enough to get into HYSP, he should also look into MIT, whose Science Department is on-par if not better than those of the other mentioned schools. Also, if all his peers are applying to Harvard/Stanford, he would have a better chance of getting in EA if he applies to a school where no one else is applying-such as MIT.

13

Academically they’re a wash. These are universities with top 10-15 departments in science…and pretty much everything else they offer.

The universities differ MUCH more in climate, setting, athletics, social scene, architecture, college/house system, etc. than in academic strength.

Keep in mind that Stanford has yet to go need-blind for international applicants. HYP may be safer bets (and/or Dartmouth, Amherst, MIT).

I don’t know your normal writing style, but flowery prose is best avoided in college essays. A succinct essay wins every time.

14

@austinmshauri‌ I’m a US citizen but I’m just living overseas at the moment. Since I’m living outside of the US, wouldn’t I be considered an international applicant?

15

Well, I would choose Harvard because it is the most urban. Harvard Square is such a vibrant place and has so many food and entertainment options. Plus it’s across the river from Boston which is also lovely.
BUT Princeton does have a much prettier campus. Harvard isn’t really beautiful.
Yale is also really beautiful and scenic, so it would go after Princeton. And Stanford would be third.
And no, you’re not an international applicant if you’re a US citizen.

16

@NParker, If you’re a US citizen, you apply as an American student, not an international one.

The difference between you and US citizens living in the states is that you’re probably going to have to pay out-of-state rates for all colleges. You’d have to check each college’s website for their residency requirements (but for domestic students living overseas, not international ones).

17

A lot of traffic around Princeton compared to the others. Weather is one factor, but also realizing that weather means that there is a lot of competition for spots at Stanford from people who don’t want Northeast weather.

If you truly are a top candidate with a specific interest, I would suggest reading up on researchers in the field you would be majoring in, and decide who has the best research program that would take undergrads.

18

Why do I suspect that this is a joke thread, designed to get people to argue about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?