Some help... Harvard or Stanford?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>As my name suggests, I was set on Stanford after EA. However, getting into Harvard has made me think about it. Any advice?</p>

<p>Stanford Pros:
The weather is gorgeous.
The atmosphere is open-minded.
The academics are stellar.
The athletics are stellar.
The campus is gorgeous.
Amazing diversity.
Near San Jose/San Fran, but still a distinct college locale.
Opportunities for a sciency guy in Silicon Valley.
New experience for me in climate, etc.</p>

<p>Stanford Cons:
Farther from my mom/brother/girlfriend in Ohio.
Unknown (to me) climate and locale.</p>

<p>Harvard Pros:
The academics are stellar.
The prestige is unmatched.
The alumni network is great.
Boston.
The diversity/athletics are still great.
I am used to that weather.</p>

<p>Harvard Cons:
Didn't like how the campus was so stretched.
Don't like cold weather.
Still far away.</p>

<p>Ultimately, the admit weekends are the most important. Until then, however, advice, thoughts, etc. would be great.</p>

<p>Thank you in advance and good luck to you in whatever you do!</p>

2

<p>Stanford- students are friendlier, not concerned about where you went to prep school.
Harvard- Final clubs and Hasty Pudding social club base their membership invitations on money, prestige, connections, and East coast prep school affiliation. Although there other small campus parties and occasional House dances, the FCs own the most desired social spaces. Non-member boys are not admitted. Girl guest to boy ratio inside is heavily tilted to the male advantage (10:1).</p>

<p>If you are tired of bad weather, Stanford, with its sun, gardens, palms, and eucalyptus trees will be a paradise. Students wear flipflops and shorts to class. Harvard has charming colonial buildings and tons of history. House formals offer the chance to wear tuxes and evening dresses.</p>

<p>Good online sources to delve into Harvard students’ moods and concerns are: Harvard ■■■ and ISawYou Harvard.</p>

<p>Good luck in your decision- you’ll have a fabulous experience at either school!</p>

3

<p>S had a choice between S and H and chose H. Does not like CA weather (no snow). Did not like S’s suburban setting; did not like the way the campus was spread out (we did not actually visit; we saw a slide show by a S admission rep).He was not concerned about lack of parties and never tried to attend an FC one; he had plenty of other opportunities to have fun, either with his roommates or through his EC group.
Of the 11 students from S’s high school who were admitted to H, 10 matriculated. Only one did not: she went to S instead.
So where should you go? It really depends on your personal likes and dislikes.</p>

4

<p>go into the admit weekends with and open mind and when you are done see if you are still undecided</p>

5

<p>whatever you do, don’t let your girlfriend affect college decision. do what’s best for you, chose the school that you’ll be happiest in.</p>

6

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<p>I’m guessing the general feeling behind this post is mildly correct (there’s less snootiness at Stanford) but some of the details are off.</p>

<p>Final Clubs + Hasty Pudding certainly have their share of blue-bloods, but definitely not exclusively. Being on various teams or in certain a capella groups also plays a big role. And if you’re just generally interested in the scene, it’s not hard to get a few punches and to make a good impression.</p>

<p>That said, I wasn’t in any of the social clubs, and didn’t particularly care for them. I had a great time in sweaty party suites, well-pregamed house events, clandestine freshman parties, happy hours at The Crimson, nights at the pub, etc. After freshman year, it wasn’t hard to get into final clubs either, but I never really found myself there (when I did, though, the guy:girl ratio was never anywhere near 10:1).</p>