<p>I am trying to decide between Stanford and Princeton. I am more of a math science guy, and I was considering the option of going into engineering, but I don't ultimately want to find a career in engineering. I was considering the option of the "Operations Research and Financial Engineering" program and Princeton, and the similar "management engineering" major at Stanford. I know that Stanford has a more highly rated engineering department, but would the job oppotunities in financial engineering be greater our of Princeton considering its higher overall reputation and its proximity to NYC?</p>
<p>No Idea..but Stanford's "engineering" "Stuff" is waaaaay better than Princeton's.</p>
<p>^^ agreed. Princeton doesn't hold any more prestige than Stanford, methinks, so it probably wouldn't open any more doors.</p>
<p>i think that they would both be fine. you'd probably learn more at Stanford but there would be more prestige at Princeton. I'd say Stanford</p>
<p>^ what are you talking about matteisn? learn more at stanford? who told you that?</p>
<p>I'm guessing you got into both. Princeton has one of the best math programs in the world--so you won't be slouching there. While its engineering program may not be no. 1, its hardly marginal. Of course the same things can be said of Stanford. Think where you want to end up after graduation. It might be easier to stay on the west coast from stanford--just as it will be easier for you to stay on the east coast at princeton.</p>
<p>also, both schools are soooo different culturally. go visit them. you may like the weather in palo alto better, or you may like the old boy culture of princeton.</p>
<p>Pick Princeton.</p>
<p>They just rejected me, but it is still the best school...behind Rice.</p>
<p>Please be aware: the following is blatantly biased.
Strength of undergrad departments isn't a factor to take into consideration here. If it were Stanford weighed against a school with a WEAK engineering program, you might be able to use that as a significant reason to attend Stanford, but Princeton's engineering is fairly solid. The prestige, job opportunities, and education of Stanford and Princeton are at the same level. Pick based on which one you like better--you really can't go wrong here.</p>
<p>neither would be a bad move. you could do much worse than stanford or princeton</p>
<p>Either way, you will end up at a great school. Personally though, if I had a choice, I'd go to Princeton. good luck!</p>
<p>In terms of academics, the two are about equal.</p>
<p>That said, pick the school based on fit. Do you like the atmosphere at the two schools? I believe Stanford is more sports-oriented, while I heard Princeton has a certain elitist atmosphere (forgive me if I'm mistaken). Would you enjoy the warm California weather or the cooler New Jersey weather? What about food and dorms? Also consider financial aid.</p>
<p>go to princeton.. i live right by stanford so maybe I'm bored of it but princeton is amazing and from the trends in CA stanford is accepting more ppl b/c of sports and not academics; so if they are putting their energy into that then princeton will probabaly get you better connections to the WORLD.. also princeton has a thing since their alumni is so loaded that no one graduates with debt so the alum will help you pay if you cant ;) .. if money isnt a problem or you live on the east coast ... the weather here is amazing.. past few days have been in the 70's.. this winter we had like 2 weeks of rain... lol</p>
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and from the trends in CA stanford is accepting more ppl b/c of sports and not academics; so if they are putting their energy into that then princeton will probabaly get you better connections to the WORLD..
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That is probably the worst reason I've heard to picl one University over another. I'll just reiterate what everyone else's said: pick the one that is your best fit because both Stanford and Princeton are great choices.</p>
<p>I had to make this decision when I was deciding to which one I wanted to apply early. I ultimately decided to apply to Princeton ED and was accepted (but due to a filing error at Stanford I actually ended up getting accepted there too for 1 day ;) , until after a few urgent phone calls to the assistant director of admissions later properly withdrew me from the pool.</p>
<p>Princeton is quite solid in engineering, and the ORFE program is quite popular among B.S.E students. Princeton really does not have very much of an elitist atmosphere at all, in fact, Princeton is rampant with school spirit and tradition and the best part is that Princeton traditions are very inclusive. Even if the winter weather may be quite messy and cold, just wait until spring hits the campus like it is right now, I wouldn't be anywhere else. Stanford and Princeton are actually extremely similar as far as I saw when I visited Stanford's campus, and here's why:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Both schools cultivate the "campus" feel very well. The school is isolated just enough from the city so that the atmosphere is not disrupted by hustle and bustle.</p></li>
<li><p>Both schools take their athletics very seriously, and student support for athletics is very high at both schools. PAC-10 is more intense than the Ivies, but you will learn to cherish those rivalries (Yale).</p></li>
<li><p>Related to #1, both campuses are very park-like in their character, have lots of wonderful green space, and provide lots of spaces for student shenanigans, especially around Stanford's Student Union and Princeton's Frist Campus Center, both very active campus hubs.</p></li>
<li><p>Both schools have all-encompassing campus bookstores, which have great selection. Stanford's even has a mini-Apple store section inside it. Both also have impressive campus museums and other things to make you proud of being there.</p></li>
<li><p>Both schools have great variety of different dormitories and residential arrangements, and they share a more loose version of the residential college system.</p></li>
<li><p>Although I would say the town of Princeton has more character than Palo Alto, they both serve the needs of students who want a change of pace.</p></li>
<li><p>Both seem to have strong undergraduate focus, despite Stanford having substantial graduate and professional schools.</p></li>
<li><p>Both schools are strong in computer science and physics. Although Stanford's engineering is overall a bigger program, Princeton Engineering really does hold its own, especially its department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>The bottom line is that they are both excellent schools, so other than areas of study, its mostly a matter of taste I think.</p>
<p>Use the next four years to broaden yourself. If you grew up on the east coast pick Stanford. If you grew up on the west coast pick Princeton.</p>
<p>Princeton might be a littel stronger than Stanford in pure math. But Stanford might be a little stronger than Princeton in applied math, such as OR and statistics. In engeering, Stanford is at the top, along with MIT, Berkeley, and Caltech. Princeton is also very strong in engineering, especially within IVY league.</p>
<p>They're both great schools, congratulations. Hopefully you've gotten to see both campuses, which should give you a "feel" for each school and you'll know which one is a better fit for you. If not, I'd recommend visiting.</p>
<p>Other than that, I personally would go to Stanford. But then again, I'm from Jersey, so I'm biased. After living here 17 years, getting OUT is my top priority.</p>
<p>Stanford if you wanna be cool, Princeton if you're thinkin' like a fool!</p>
<p>If the travel and airfare is not a problem for you, definitely go to Stanford. (This is coming from an Princeton 2011 )</p>