<p>A very broad definition of "leaning." I'm actually completely undecided on what I want to major in/do with my life. For all I know, I may hate all my science/engineering classes and end up in Econ or something of the like. I visited both admit weekends and liked the dorms/people at Yale better than Stanford. Any input would help. I'm really undecided =/</p>
<p>“I visited both admit weekends and liked the dorms/people at Yale better than Stanford.”</p>
<p>A degree in science from either university will look good. I would choose based on how they feel to you.</p>
<p>Yale sciences may not be as amazing as Stanford at the graduate level, but they’re still among the best (top 10 in most departments, top 20 in the others). At the undergraduate level, you won’t see a significant difference in science classes between schools like HYPS. So no, there is absolutely nothing wrong with leaning towards Yale if you’re into the sciences (I’m a very satisfied science major at Yale, btw).</p>
<p>I’m in a very similar position. I recently visited both Yale and Princeton, and have come to really love Yale more. But upon closer investigation, Princeton’s department in my major is much more intensive. Being that it’s only for undergrad, I’m wondering how much of a difference it makes. I mean, I could always do a masters afterwards.</p>
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<p>Just found this from an earlier topic…does anyone care to comment on its validity/opinions? </p>
<p>Also, can someone comment on this specifically:
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<p>Do most high-level eng positions demand grad school eng education? I’m pretty clueless when it comes to knowing what kind of education is needed for what kind of jobs…is there anywhere (website…book) that I can look up to get more acquainted with the subject?</p>
<p>Stanford is considerably stronger than Yale in every area of the natural sciences (chemistry, biology, physics, math, applied math, earth sciences) and all areas of engineering (biomedical, chemical, mechanical, electrical, computer, materials, industrial, civil). It’s also stronger in economics. This is most evident at the graduate level but also in terms of resources, will be an issue at the undergrad level- access to NSF/NIH/DOE funding for example. </p>
<p>However, since far fewer students are interested in the sciences at Yale, there will be more scope for faculty interaction. That is why many people have agreed that Berkeley, Harvard, Chicago, Columbia, UCLA etc. are grad focused while Dartmouth, Princeton, Brown, Yale are undergrad focused.</p>
<p>IIpitch, did you attend the panel about science and engineering during BDD? The student to faculty ratio in engineering is 1:1 at Yale; you can’t get more attention than that! Frankly, it’s where you go to grad school in your specialty that counts and from what was said during that panel, Yale science students get into the very top medical schools and programs in the sciences. Also, Yale has made a $1 billion commitment to science and engineering. It also has more faculty elected to the National Academy of Sciences than any other school. If you think what Yale overall is a better fit for college, then go for it.</p>
<p>I think when you’re talking about the very top schools, none of them is really “considerably” stronger in any discipline than the others. They may be somewhat better, but strength of program is only one factor to consider.</p>
<p>Lipitch I sent you a PM.</p>
<p>The crux of my experience: I had the same dilemma, chose Yale, and have never looked back. Yale sciences are way underrated but above all YALE IS AWESOME.</p>
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<p>mmm… a good reason to turn down Stanford. Good luck at Yale.</p>
<p>I don’t get why people think it’s “stupid” to pick Yale over anything (there’s another thread about Yale vs. Duke). It’s the third best college in the country! It’s not stupid to pick it in any way, shape, or form.</p>
<p>Yale is Yale. the difference in quality between science at yale and stanford is either non-existant or minimal. you should choose Yale based on what you said.</p>
<p>Go to Yale for undergrad and Stanford for grad school. Best of both worlds. : )</p>
<p>*I don’t get why people think it’s “stupid” to pick Yale over anything (there’s another thread about Yale vs. Duke). It’s the third best college in the country! It’s not stupid to pick it in any way, shape, or form. *</p>
<p>lol I only wrote that to keep the trend with the other thread’s title.</p>
<p>Well thanks for all your input everyone! Unfortunately, my parents are “forcing” (if you can say that…its not like I’m going to cry over it) me to go to Stanford. They basically said “we’re compromising with you to pay for this 220k education…so you need to compromise and go to where we want you to.”</p>
<p>How much are they actually paying? I wouldn’t give in yet, if you really want to go to Yale. Find out why they want you to go to Stanford, and see if you can address what they tell you.</p>
<p>Well they just want me closer to home. We live in Hawaii and then in a year or two they plan on moving to San Diego. They also don’t like the added travel costs if I went to Yale. They’d also probably see me a lot less if I went to Yale (probably just winter break and summer).</p>
<p>That is a bit more difficult to argue against. I guess you could try the “I want to see a different part of the country”, or “college is a time for separation”, but I don’t think it will be very effective. Is there any financial aid disparity to argue for Yale, or is it equivalent?</p>
<p>It’s basically equivalent. Possibly a little more at Yale because of the travel differences.</p>
<p>The residential college system (and how it actually operates) is what distinguishes Yale from any other elite colleges. If this factor is not enough for a candidate to lean toward Yale, then nothing else will.</p>
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<p>I see. Good luck at Stanford, then.</p>