MIT vs. Harvard vs. Stanford for engineering?

College Search & Selection
1

I was recently accepted to MIT, Harvard, and Stanford, and I am thinking about majoring in either BME or electrical engineering. This is obviously an extremely difficult decision for me, and I would love any opinions from all of you about the academic programs for these majors at each of these schools. If any current students could speak to the engineering programs at each of these schools, that would be amazing :). I would also love to hear about student life, social life, and anything else of interest. Disadvantages of each school would also be appreciated.

Thanks so much :slight_smile:

2

I doubt you missed the USNWR undergraduate engineering rankings for these schools, though here they are just in case (all ranked schools are considered “Top Programs.”)

  1. MIT
  2. Stanford
  3. Harvard

Best in the Specialties

BME

  1. MIT
  2. Stanford

E2

  1. MIT
  2. Stanford
3

Congrats! The USNWR rankings give you an idea of how well-regarded the programs are and visiting the schools will probably help you decide which fits you best.

If you’re interested in hearing student perspectives on Stanford there’s a thread on that: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/stanford-university/1874155-ask-a-current-student-anything.html

Some questions about social life/student life have already been answered there, but of course feel free to ask anything else.

4

Do you mind telling me your stats? I’m just curious about what kind of stats are required for top tier schools. Thanks

5

You can usually look under each specific school for a thread on acceptance decisions where a bunch of people post their stats and if they were accepted/waitlisted/rejected. Stanford’s is here: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/stanford-university/1873356-stanford-2020-regular-decision-results-thread.html

6

@Lagging thanks for the link

7

Awesome dilemma to have :slight_smile:
Stanford and MIT are stronger than Harvard in Engineering, so I’d drop Harvard out of consideration.
Since Stanford and MIT are generally considered on par academically, ask yourself other questions:

  • east coast or west coast for internships, jobs (Boston vs Bay)
  • IT oriented career? (Stanford)
  • what other majors are offered that you might be interested in (check out their list of courses) (I believe Stanford may be broader - for sure in the arts)
  • sports? (Stanford)
  • weather? (Stanford)
8

If you’re at all into Mexican food - forget MIT or Harvard. That part of the country just doesn’t get it.

9

@katliamom True that - I’ve been struggling to find good Mexican food nearby that isn’t a cheap Tex-Mex restaurant.

I can’t really speak much about BME or EE (I’m a math major), although most students I know in those departments were easily able to land UROPs and internships. Course 6 is the biggest major at MIT, although there are relatively few 6-1 and 6-7 majors.

10

To be fair, Boston knows Italian. And sea food. Almost, sort of makes up for the lack of Mexican :wink:

11

Harvard’s engineering program is fantastic. It’s just small.

12

Thanks so much to everyone who replied :slight_smile:

13

For BME or anything engineering, Harvard is not even in the same league. On the other hand, a lot of kids are not sure want they want to do.

If I was anything technical minded, interested in working in tech and the likes after graduation, I would pick MIT/Stanford anyday. The MIT environment is like breathing/living technology. It really does change you into an engineer if you let it sink in.

14

Generally, people think MIT and Stanford are stronger in engineering and that’s probably the decision for most people. However, if you like interdisciplinary research and science (basic or applied sciences vs. pure engineering), Harvard is the best place to go. I saw people chose Harvard over MIT/Stanford, and did this myself. Good luck with your choice.

15

BTW, attending either school, you are allowed take courses for credit at both Harvard and MIT. Hope this helps.

16

MIT has plenty of Mexican foods.

My son told me some restaurant near MIT gave him and his dorm friends free burrito during a halloween night.

http://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=mexican&find_loc=Kendall+Square%2FMIT%2C+Boston%2C+MA