<p>Nowadays I see all these threads about "UCSB vs Stanford," "Cornell vs. Stanford," "Berkeley vs. Stanford," "Harvard vs Stanford," "Amherst vs. Stanford," etc. Just a while ago most schools were trying to compare with Harvard. Now they're comparing themselves with Stanford. Things truly change very quickly.</p>
<p>Whoa you are right. There are so many threads about Stanford this and Stanford that.</p>
<p>Overrated. right?</p>
<p>even S whose son chose C over S carefully insinuates that
Stanford is overated.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>I was interested recently to read on CC responses to questions from current students at my son's chosen school and a higher ranked one which he turned down. A very happy student at the university he turned down mentioned that people there do not really talk about the content of their classes outside of class, and that most students hate the humanities requirements. On the other hand, at my son's university, the student commented that the required classes are interesting (though the student is not a humanities major) and I know my son's experience is that he and his fellow first-years do talk and debate about what they are reading for those classes. Two great colleges with very different cultures, and he chose the culture that was right for him. .</p> </blockquote>
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<p>I think ivy-leaguers get mad when Stanford outshines their schools. Doesn't concern me though, I can't get into any of them. I'll be happy going to any top 25.</p>
<p>CotoDeCasa - Just out of curiousity and if you don't mind telling me, what school did your son end up choosing?</p>
<p>True, I think that ALL the prestigious schools can be overrated at times. But they shouldn't be completely discounted just because of their prestige (never thought I'd be saying that!). I'm sure Stanford is a perfect fit for some people vs. another less overrated school, it all should come down to fit.</p>
<p>Usually, front-runners are the ones to be bashed the most. Harvard used to be bashed the most on this forum, and most people were comparing their schools to Harvard. Now it's Stanford that's in the spotlight. Everytime somebody chooses another school over Stanford, they feel compelled to justify their decision because Stanford is so high up there. (Sarah Bell, for instance, wrote a Washington post article about why she chose a less prestigious school over Stanford.) I was just wondering why the trend has shifted.</p>
<p>GS Agreed. </p>
<p>UG Nope.</p>
<p>The general public thinks it is unwise to choose a school like Cornell or Columbia over Stanford. Therefore, people making those choices feel compelled to justify their decision to others. Also, getting into Stanford is a status statement, and people who ultimately choose to attend lesser schools want people to know that they COULD have gone to Stanford and were good enough to go, but simply chose not to. It makes sense.</p>
<p>Yeah I agree.</p>
<p>You must admit, though, Stanford is quite a school. It has an immaculate campus, great academics, one of the best overall sports programs in the country, and good weather. What is there to complain about?</p>
<p>that not every school fits every student</p>
<p>"Also, getting into Stanford is a status statement, and people who ultimately choose to attend lesser schools want people to know that they COULD have gone to Stanford and were good enough to go, but simply chose not to. It makes sense."</p>
<p>a regents scholar on my dorm floor at ucla is an example. she got into stanford but chose ucla instead, because it was her first choice. although everyone is now telling her that her chances of ucla to ucla med sucks more than stanford to ucla med.</p>