<p>Hey guys!!! New user around here. So I'm an international student from Pakistan hoping to apply to either Stanford or Princeton on SCEA. I'm still confused as to what to do with myself, but I'm interested in majoring in either EE, ME, physics, or English. Now I'm confused as to where, because there are aspects of both universities that I find absolutely endearing. I know that there isn't much academic difference between the two for my chosen fields (except that Stanford probably has the upper hand in Engineering). I love the campus at Princeton, absolutely breathtaking, while Stanford seems only able to boast of its Palm Drive, the Oval, and the Quad. On the other hand, Stanford has quite the laid back atmosphere, the friendly people, along with the sunny weather in California, while I've heard that Princeton is deathly cold and the environment is extremely competitive and rigorous to the point of being cutthroat. Princeton's professors are legendary (I mean, John Nash, COME ON), but I'm worried about the professors being arrogant. I know that the people at Stanford will be extremely friendly, but Princeton does have the better undergrad focus and apparently the classes a Stanford are huge and taught by TAs.
Now I want to go to a university where I fit in. I love the traditional values and the campus behind Princeton, but I do not wish to go to a community where no one is willing to help out the others because of the overly competitive spirit and everyone is way too arrogant. The post holiday exams are also a major turn off. I love Stanford's laid back attitude, and I've heard wonderful things about the people there, but I don't want to miss out on an amazing undergrad learning experience that Princeton might have to offer.
So basically, I want to know where I can fit in. I know that I'm a humble, nice guy who will help others out. I like a challenge and I'm up for Princeton's academic rigor, but I have no wish to be a part of a snooty, depressingly cutthroat environment. Then again, is there really THAT much of a difference between Stanford's and Princeton's undergrad programs?
So can anyone please validify aforementioned claims and rumours? I'd also really appreciate if people can help point out where I can fit in and tell me the pros and cons along with the characters, attitudes and environments of both universities.
Thanks!</p>
<p>this probably won’t help but don’t stress out too much about these choices! you can always apply to one of them early and even if you get in, you can apply to the other regular!</p>
<p>NJ isn’t deathly cold ;)</p>
<p>And Princeton isn’t snooty or cutthroat, at least not in the eyes of my son, a recent graduate.</p>
<p>Since you’re international it will probably be hard to visit, but it would help to talk to some Stanford and Princeton students about what the schools are like (but don’t let a student from one school comment on the other).</p>
<p>Which climate would you prefer:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Four seasons at Princeton, or</p></li>
<li><p>50-80 degrees F at Stanford (the California coastal and semi-coastal climate)? IE, it is spring all the time.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>The thing is, the temperatures in Pakistan are rarely below 100 degrees in summer, so cold can be a problem :/</p>
<p>If you like both equally, apply to Princeton early. There’s a bigger boost in acceptance rate if you do so </p>
<p>@Blol938. Be very wary of those posters who tell you to apply to Princeton in the early round to get a “boost” instead of Stanford…because they are wolves in sheeps’ clothing…many sophisticated Stanford aspirants and their expensive private college counselors are strategically planning to apply early hoping more would apply to P, Y, or H (diminishing their competitors)…</p>
<p>…because it is still “easier” to get into Stanford REA (with 6000 or so applicants) versus regular (with 40,000 applicants)…</p>
<p>Is that true, gravitas? I heard that most of early admits are athletes, legacy and other hooks like URMs. Their early admit rate once you factor that in is same as RD, or very close. I.e. minimal advantage at Stanford to apply early without a hook.</p>