<p>Ah, interesting but slightly flawed question. </p>
<p>You see, the problem is that Harvard, unlike all other schools, has nothing to sell. </p>
<p>The truth is, Harvard, unlike all other schools, has everything to give. And this is an understatement.</p>
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<p>Precisely why S chose Harvard over Stanford. But he’s in a clear minority (was that a pun?)!</p>
<p>I think some folks are being overly harsh with the OP. That said, the OP is hardly the first person to be faced with such choices, so he might wish to search the many older threads that run through the comparisons of various schools.</p>
<p>The Op’s problem is that his post carries the tone that, puffed-up by his success at Stanford, he thinks he can waltz right into any school he pleases. All he has to do is choose. He got similar negative reponses on the Yale board.</p>
<p>But I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and conclude it was just a poorly worded question and not a display of arrogance. And therefore in answer to the question I’ll quote an old thread:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1063415705-post142.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1063415705-post142.html</a></p>
<p>Just to give you an example: </p>
<p>During school year, I am starting to think that Columbia University/NYU is better than Harvard/Wharton offers in terms of working on the Wall Street while a student is still taking classes in College and one can work in the evening in many reputed Wall Street companies. However, Harvard/Wharton name give you equally good access in terms of getting summer internships. Therefore, any school a student chooses is an individual choice and the student will not go wrong wherever they go. Good luck:</p>
<p>Big factors for me (I made this decision):</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Housing system. Stanford gives you a lot of different choices, including frat/sorority housing, ethnic theme housing, etc. The result is a lot of self-segregation. I preferred Harvard’s system of small communities that are microcosms of the university. Jocks, artists, beautiful people, internationals, etc. all live, eat, and study together in each House. You can still choose your close friends, but you can’t avoid mixing with, and learning from, everyone.</p></li>
<li><p>Location. I felt that Stanford was quite isolated, and even if you get into town, you’re in a fancy suburb. It’s a very pleasant place to live, but it feels nothing like San Francisco or even Berkeley. I like that Harvard isn’t so separate from the real world.</p></li>
</ol>