<p>Since I made similar comparisons in the MIT thread, i thought it would be fair to do similarly for Stanford.</p>
<p>Here is information about me: I am a nerdy HS senior, with quite broad background in science/math. I like to discuss about science with my peers, have intellectual conversations, have a knack for science jokes, and have a bent for the theoretical side more than the applied side (analytical mechanics makes my stomach cringe, for example). I am interested in ChemE, EE and physics, and I have grad school plans for the years to come. I also had some high school research experience, and would like to continue doing research throughout undergrad. I'm no genius, and in terms of academic sharpness, I'm probably average at both MIT and Stanford (never made USAMO, or International olympiad teams).</p>
<p>So can you tell me why MIT or Stanford would be better for me?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>PS: Is there sth on Stanford's website similar to the MIT blogs? I would be interested in seeing how Stanford students perceive their institutions.</p>
<p>My friend from India (MIT undergrad) sums it up the best:</p>
<p>****: yeahh
i would much rather go to stanford man
i hate teh cold out here</p>
<p>Well, I don’t really care about the weather.</p>
<p>Although I originally thought Stanford had the upper hand, there are some things that might reverse it.</p>
<p>-Anti-intellectualism at Stanford: at MIT, it’s OK to discuss about time dilation and string theory with your friends. At stanford, it’s considered heretism. I really value having peers who are willing to discuss and share scientific ideas/original thought.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Competitiveness: I know MIT is well-known for the collaborative environment, since there are much less premeds at MIT than Stanford. Stanford’s “duck” analogy concerns me. I have a hatred against grade-grubbiness. Note that does not mean I don’t care about grades. However, I always value the education I get above the grades I receive. I heard Stanford’s student are very single-minded in getting good grades, and pre-professional (vs. MIT students being more oriented toward grad school).</p></li>
<li><p>A final note: I don’t care about the sports of a school, as long as the sports facilities are accessible to the average undergrad. The fact Stanford’s football and basketball teams are awesome has no bearing on my college decision.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>I disagree with your “Anti-intellectualism” point. How did you conclude that it is heretical to discuss topics like String Theory at Stanford? Leonard Susskind, one of the creators of String theory, teaches undergraduate classes. I know he and undergraduate physics majors are more than willing to discuss physics…</p>
<p>And, why do you only classify technical discourse as academic?? There is more to academics than science and Stanford recognizes that. Stanford is world class in virtually every field. Stanford has a broad focus; MIT does not.</p>
<p>Well, what I meant is that I myself am not really broad. I enjoy discussing physics/science more than the humanities. It’s like an innate trait I have a hard time changing.</p>
<p>I just recently got accepted to Stanford and rejected from MIT. I thought MIT was my first choice, but the reason that i got accepted and rejected where i did is probably the same reason that i would have eventually decided to go to Stanford, had i got in both schools.
I don’t think i’m “quirky” enough for MIT. I’m like you, “I am a nerdy HS senior, with quite broad background in science/math. I like to discuss about science with my peers, have intellectual conversations, have a knack for science jokes”. At MIT, i know that nearly everyone is nerdy, but most have a special passion or ability to bring to the table, rather than a general love for a broad swath of subjects. I also feel that MIT’s general atmosphere is very intense, but not necessarily pressured, just fast paced, focused, and constantly “excited”.
Stanford, on the other hand, I feel fits me better. I’m really nerdy, but in a relaxed, laid back kind of way. I’m love the outdoors - I love to backpack and fly fish. I think that I fit in with the relaxed west coast lifestyle better. Don’t get me wrong, i don’t want to slack off all day - i just think i would enjoy a more relaxed and academically diverse atmosphere.</p>
<p>This is my impression of the two schools. they’re both amazing, and both basically the same caliber, but i think they best fit two different types of people.</p>
<p>Well, I might have a broad background, but in terms of discussions, I often get to pretty specific stuff, like principle of least action, non-inertial frames, relativistic electrodynamics. We might differ in that regard.</p>
<p>Secondly, I am well aware that Leonard Susskind is awesome, but most likely, he will be teaching, not casually having lunch with students to discuss about string theory. I’m more interested in the intellectual vitality of students, not professors.</p>
<p>Two years ago I attended Stanford’s EPGY program. At the program, I asked an undergraduate if my Indian friend (MIT kid) and I could meet Leonard Susskind. Within a day, Leonard Susskind responded and said that he would be delighted to meet us. We met two different times and discussed string theory, m theory, entanglement…etc…
funny fact: My Indian friend asked Professor Susskind why physicists have settled on 10 dimensions. Susskind replied, “the math is easier with 10 dimensions…”</p>
<p>Anyway… If you’re into math/science, you will meet many students exactly like you at Stanford… The lack of intellectual (math/sci) vitality is not a problem at Stanford…</p>
<p>I’d say, in all honesty, Stanford has all that MIT has + all that the Ivies have…
If you only want to hang around math/sci nerds… you can do that at Stanford… if you ever want to branch out and talk to a humanities major…you can still do that at Stanford…</p>
<p>My DS chose Stanford over MIT (and others) after much consternation. Now my DS is very happy, especially with the intellectual atmosphere encountered. But faraday, your responses tell me that MIT is your choice in your heart of hearts, so you should go there and not second guess yourself. Both schools have much to offer.</p>
<p>And the stereotypes about each school don’t really provide the whole picture, so attending both preview weekends might help.</p>
<p>Have you visited both? It would be a good idea to do so if you haven’t. But if you have? Listen to PumpkinPi who says listen to your heart. Both are great schools, you seem intelligent and motivated, either school would do you well - go with your heart.
S was rejected by MIT - it was where he thought he would be accepted. Now he is waiting to hear from Stanford. He loves it at Stanford, has spent several summers there -but he doesn’t think he’ll be admitted since he is pretty lopsided toward math and science (he thought he WOULD be admitted to MIT) so who knows? He would be pretty stoked if he got into Stanford - he already has the shirt 
and it truly is his first choice as a dream school.</p>
<p>“but he doesn’t think he’ll be admitted since he is pretty lopsided toward math and science”</p>
<p>That’s actually a strong point. I was admitted to Stanford and was very lopsided toward science and math. As long as he shows “intellectual vitality” and meet the other factors, especially using his lopsidedness as a strength, he’ll have a decent chance. Good luck for your son!</p>
<p>faraday, thanks for posting this thread. i am in the same boat as yours - difficult task of choosing between M and S. (a freeride at GaTech and a possible freeride at Duke thrown in the mix!). i am confused, but hey it will all be over come May 1.
I appreciate the comments of the posters. i am just thinking that it may be just too intense for my comfort zone at M. Is it really true that S is so laid back? i guess the work load will be about the same (at M and S). per hasp the kind of student body might be more different.</p>
<p>itsme123,
i agree that the workload and quality of coursework at M and S are essentially the same. I think the difference between the schools is the student body, and the atmosphere. yes, the west coast really is laid back. there’s also the difference in the diversity of academics- S is a world class liberal arts school as well as being a world class sci/eng school. M is more focused.</p>
<p>BTW, how materialistic are Stanford students? Is the common subject of conversation about recent movies, clothes, appearances? Does MIT cater more to lower social classes?</p>
<p>If you are not socially polished, is it easier to fit at MIT than Stanford?</p>
<p>I talked about the materialism on the MIT thread, so I won’t repeat that though I’ll talk about socially polished-yay procastinating studying for the CS and Econ finals =)</p>
<p>If what you mean by socially polished is “having good social skills” I think Stanford would probably be less forgiving on that count especially since I’m assuming you’re male. That being said, many kids at Stanford were pretty nerdy and stayed in on Saturday nights (I know I did in hs) but are now pretty social and go to parties and stuff. It’s a learning experience and if you go at it with the right attitude you’ll be the better for it. That being said, there are some people who are er lets say the opposite of socially polished is socially abrasive who would find it harder to fit in at Stanford I’m guessing. Though if by socially polished you mean like materialistically…thats pretty looked down on by most here. Its not that attractive to flaunt your wealth or your knowledge in materialistic things.</p>
<p>in any community of intelligent people, materialism falls into the background.</p>
<p>Maybe at Stanford, but not so true at other places. Many top private schools (Exeter,…) kids are isolated in their social bubble and materialistic ideas.</p>