Stanford/MIT Questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>I am trying to decide between MIT and Stanford, as they are the top 2 schools on my list and I am lucky enough to have the chance to choose. I have visited both schools and I loved the vibes of both of them, but they felt very different. MIT seemed quirky and focused with an active curiosity in the air, and Stanford felt worldly and well-rounded while still a center of academic intensity (Are these impressions accurate-ish?). I know there are previous threads addressing some general points about Stanford compared to MIT, and I have read through most of them (I think :P). I also am generally more familiar with MIT because I know more current students there, and I found out I was admitted to MIT sooner, so I've had a few more months to research and acquaint myself with the Institvte. However, I was hoping someone from Stanford could give some insight into a few questions I have. </p>

<p>To give some background, I'm an Asian female from the Midwest (so no real preference for either coast :P) interested in studying computer science. I wouldn't say I'm only interested in the sciences though; I attend a more liberal arts-oriented high school and I enjoy a lot of non-techy extracurriculars. :P Because of these two things, I originally was inclined towards Stanford because it's in the midst of Silicon Valley and it seems to provide an excellent well-rounded curriculum. However, as I began to more actively consider colleges, MIT stood out because it seemed very quirky and intellectually intense. I started thinking to myself: Who knows? Maybe I am a techie at heart. :P I researched a lot about MIT and at least 2 aspects especially caught my attention: the science-packed core and the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).</p>

<p>So, I was wondering two things:
1) I think MIT requires everyone to take Bio, Chem, Physics, Calc, plus a number of humanities that the students can choose (Please correct me if I'm wrong). This seems very science-centered. Is there a Stanford general core or specific core for engineering students (or comp sci students)? I think I read somewhere that they had some required humanities courses (iHum and Writing and Rhetoric? Please forgive me if I'm off)-- are those required for everyone, regardless of major? It seems like the required courseload has a big impact on the academic focus of a university.
(EDIT: As I was writing this, I first noticed the "Stanford requirements for undergraduate graduation" thread-- thanks for those who replied over there! I guess this first question can now be refined to simply: Is there a particular curriculum for Stanford engineering students?)
2) The majority of MIT students I have talked to have raved about the UROP-- its accessibility, its range, its benefits, and so on. Is there an equivalent program at Stanford, or, if not an official program, at least a similar level of opportunities to get involved in undergraduate research? I am very interested in the MIT Media Lab, so I was thinking it would be neat if I could get a UROP there, but I was wondering if there was something comparable at Stanford. The thought just occurred to me that I still have grad school to consider, so any opinions on that aspect are welcomed as well.</p>

<p>I realize I have until May 1st, so there's no crushing urgency. It's just that Stanford was the first college that just plain dazzled me (Silicon Valley+gorgeous campus+beautiful weather+laid back yet still intense atmosphere), but then I gradually fell in love with MIT with its idiosyncrasies (hacks+blogs+firehose+IHTFP), and now I'm very confused. I will be attending both admit weekends (although I have to leave in the middle of MIT's), which will probably help. But these were some topics that were really prevalent in my mind, and I was hoping to get whatever input I could at this point. My teachers are divided, my parents are divided, and my mind is divided, so any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! And good luck to those who are still waiting! :)</p>

2

<p>MIT has a sick computer science program</p>

3

<p>I have that same problem. Although, I am more pulled towards Stanford because I am a west coast native and not a complete Math-Science person either. It’s difficult to chose, but the preview weekends will give a better idea of which campus vibe is better. We’ll just have to wait and see.</p>

4

<p>Here is what I heard a couple years ago… “Stanford spends more than $4M per year on undergraduate research. That is more than any other university”.</p>

<p>You could find the information about undergraduate research in general here [UAL</a> - Research Opportunities](<a href=“http://ual.stanford.edu/OO/research_opps/ResearchOpportunities.html]UAL”>http://ual.stanford.edu/OO/research_opps/ResearchOpportunities.html)</p>

<p>Some research undergraduate students have done
[Stanford</a> Undergraduate Research Journal](<a href=“http://surj.stanford.edu/]Stanford”>http://surj.stanford.edu/)</p>

<p>And the undergraduate research program for the CS undergraduates here
[Undergraduate</a> Research](<a href=“http://cs.stanford.edu/degrees/undergrad/Research.shtml]Undergraduate”>http://cs.stanford.edu/degrees/undergrad/Research.shtml)</p>

5

<p>Both schools are excellent choices. In regard to curriculum, for all majors it is spelled out in the Stanford handbook and department websites far better and more exacting than anything you will find on CC. I am sure the same goes for MIT.</p>

<p>At Stanford you can put off declaring a major until the end of your sophomore year if you are so inclined. You express an interest in computer science. My son is a student at Stanford with a minor in Computer Science. He gets an email nearly every week asking him to work for all kinds of start-up companies. There is a big network of Stanford grads working in Silicon Valley (and around the country) that go directly to Stanford students first for their company’s needs. This should not be an important factor in your decision right now, but possibly something to consider. </p>

<p>You are in a very enviable position and will do well with either choice. Good luck wherever you end up.</p>

6

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<p>They got rid of 6.001</p>

7

<p>If I were in your shoes I’d choose MIT just because there’s so much to do in Boston and so much of that vibrancy you mentioned. It’s funny though because I guess it becomes easy to see yourself as a West/East Coaster and feel like that’s really what ends up making the decision because both schools are really good. It’s a distinctly academic environment at Boston (I mean, Haaahvaad, BU/NEU/Tufts/UMass among others) (I live 40 minutes outside). I’d take a good look at what classes you see yourself enjoying and taking at each of the schools, and if there are particular people you’d love to work with or learn with. What are your plans for after graduation? </p>

<ul>
<li>I am also slightly hypocritical because I am undoubtedly an East Coaster but I’m thinking of headed out West for school. But then again that’s because the only other choice I have at present is being in the Southeast, which is not my territory.</li>
</ul>