<p>Actually Shizz, as strange as this sounds, while at Michigan, I met many (dozens) undergrads who turned down the likes of the big 5 (H,M,P,S and Y) to attend Michigan, although the cost of attending would have been equal. </p>
<p>Some of them chose Michigan because they prefered the city of Ann Arbor, the overall atmosphere and the school culture, others because their specific field was better at Michigan. </p>
<p>I personally would have picked Michigan over Yale, although not over H,M,P or S. </p>
<p>So I am not sure I agree with your comment about it not being a "debate". Wouldn't you have chosen Cornell over Harvard or Yale?</p>
<p>From a purely academic standpoint Stanford is the clear cut winner over Michigan. You would have the opportunity to learn from and work with the world's top researchers in all areas of science. </p>
<p>First, get into both schools THEN worry about financial aid. You will have had months and months to think about whether or not the west coast is too far away. If money is a problem, then don't apply ED.</p>
<p>SamLee- so very sorry you didn't like my post. I guess I'm not entitled to an opinion. </p>
<p>In any event, I was RECRUITED by Stanford. I know many who go and have gone there and have been there many times. </p>
<p>I don't particularly like the place. Sorry. I don't find it to be the valhalla that others do. Instead I find it to be a place peppered with self important over achievers, impressed with only themselves and as I said, it strikes me as an appliance - it works well, does what it is supposed to do- there's just no character to it, no special "vibe", no special feel. </p>
<p>And again, sorry if you don't agree, but I find the place to be a white bread country club. Contrary to how you want to couch this as some bitterness on my part, again, they recruited ME. As I also said, I realize Stanford has sacred cow status. No one ever seems to have the huevos to criticize the place. I for one don't dig it. Deal with it-not everyone shares your opinion.</p>
<p>You are of course entitled to have your own opinion. But I wonder if your perception is based on reliable source or your own prejudice. May I ask when you were recruited by Stanford? Things change over time. When I wondered if you were bitter, I didn't mean you were Stanford reject. I was just wondering if you were like some radical liberals who view wealth as inherently evil. You also perceive Stanford as "white bread country club" but the reality is the % of whites is only in the 40s--which I believe is probably the lowest among top 25 schools and lower than most decent LACs. In terms of what you said about the students being impressed with only themselves. Well, the school is arguably the best in the West, I guess it's hard not to be proud of it. But I believe it's no more so than other top schools. I'd say Chicago students are just as impressed with themselves, if not more. They seem to think of its schools as the only place left for real intellectualism. In terms of what you say about social conscience, I still don't know exactly what you meant. Can you please explain to me why/how many other schools have more "social conscience" than Stanford? I am curious. The fact that you didn't bother to be specific about it probably suggests it's based on nothing more than heresay. On the other hand, I find some facts that seem to show otherwise. I've found that according to Peace Corps, Stanford has sent high number of volunteers to serve in it. Few years ago, Stanford made an concerted effort to decommercialize its sports venues, a move that runs counter to the trend at most American college sports program. Stanford is also one of the very few division-1 schools that cares about its student-athletes, who have high graduation rate, rather than treating them as some cash-generating machines. Looks like it does have some "soul" to me.</p>
<p>Since what little data exits show that it is the student, not the school, that is the greatest predictor of success, all this discussion about one top 20 school versus another is rather pointless. Just be grateful one has the ability to attend any of them, the rest will take care of itself. Look for a "fit" as has been mentioned so often before, and enjoy your 4 (more like 5 or 6 these days) years.</p>
<p>SamLee- first, I think idad's post above hits the issue on the head. To that end, these types of discussions are like trying to argue whether chocolate ice cream is better that vanilla.</p>
<p>I certainly appreciate the excellence of Stanford and am not meaning to be so general or negative in assessing the school, its students, etc. Most certainly there are many, many, many, many fine people there.</p>
<p>My experience with the school, which is fairly recent, just showed me it wasn't the place for ME. To that end, I definitely don't agree with your assessment of their athletic department and its approach. At least the program I dealt with was about winning and nothing else. They couldn't have cared less about anything except that you stayed eligible. That's first hand as told to me, not hearsay. I also found their admissions office to be inappropriately arrogant.</p>
<p>by way of a most general comparision and feel for a place, one school i visited has a motto posted at its entrance which I believe states "they only are loyal to this college who departing bear their added riches in trust for mankind". My experience (which was sufficiently extensive) with Stanford left ME with the feeling that their motto might well be "What's in it for me".</p>
<p>coming back full circle, i suppose the only point to this, as idad pointed out is where does the individual fit. I was only giving my personal views as to how the school strikes ME. Clearly I am in the minority as I never see a knock on Stanford posted ( I supoose unless you ask people from rival schools -lol). I just do not find the place to my liking and have stated my impressions, impressions drawn on what I believe was a very thorough and first hand exposure to the school.</p>
<p>No offense meant to anyone. The place just ain't MY cup of tea.</p>