<p>The title says it, describe pros and cons of each. Also, I have these ideas that stanford is more fun rara type and Uchicago is more intellectual. Also, compare housing systems. There is a lot of pressure from parent to go to Stanford, but I don't know if I fit, and I like the Chicago feel. Plus, I love seasons and I don't know if I could deal with nice weather all the time, I love snow and winter clothes. And Columbia is in NYC and they offered me some amazing opportunities I must consider. Please compare these schools and what they are each about. Thanks!</p>
<p>"I don't know if I could deal with nice weather all the time."
I find that rather amusing.</p>
<p>But yeah. Let's get to the point...
My (personal) take on the schools and the decision:</p>
<p>Many people find UChicago's atmosphere to be rather intimidating and difficult, but others find the atmosphere of intellectual "superiority" rather interesting. UChicago is different from other top tier schools as they are more abstract in their method of teaching their students (I can't really explain this but you might understand). I'd like to address the weather as well as I've lived in Chicago. Do you know how cold it gets? Have you experienced Chicago during winter months? It's as cold as any other city in America with wind chill which will make you feel like your fingers are falling off with three pairs of gloves on. However, the beautiful spring and summer do make up for it. Being from Chicago, I must say that the Chicago "feel" is something you can't really get somewhere else and this school is a FINE choice if you do pick it. </p>
<p>Stanford is for the the kids who are Harvard worthy, but would rather relax in undergrad rather than skip sleep for 3 days before the big tests. Stanford is more of a college town type school than anything else. Palo Alto is built around Stanford and you can tell. The weather is absolutely beautiful and you have access to San Francisco on a regular basis (great culture, great nightlife). </p>
<p>Columbia is the big city school. It's very similar to UChi and Stanford. You get the big city atmosphere of NYC (which is uncomparable to Chicago and just as good) as well as an Ivy League education. Don't forget the weather. </p>
<p>Also, financial aid packages may be a question if you are considering these schools. Any how, you have been accepted into great schools and no matter where you go, I'm sure that you will enjoy it.</p>
<p>You seem to like UChicago. I'll list the reasons why I picked it this year.</p>
<p>1)The intellectual atmosphere is tremendous. I love the fact that a conversation about anything academically substantial can arise at any random moment. 90 percent of the students pick the school because of this. Most kids at Chicago are HYP worthy and I've met quite a few this year that have turned down one of HYPC for Chicago, so the student population is academically excellent.
2)The undergrad experience is unrivaled save a few colleges, i.e. Princeton, Swarthmore. Most classes are discussions in small groups, so you'll get attention from professors if you want it.
3)Just like you I love the winter and I'd hate to be in summer weather for 4 years. I'm from new york so i need a bit of cold in my veins for a couple of months. Snow on the UChicago campus makes it beautiful.</p>
<p>I'd advise you to stay away from choosing Stanford or Columbia because they arguably have more layman's prestige. In academia, these schools are equally prestigious and it should come down to fit. If your parents are willing to pay for Chicago without getting mad that you're passing up the other two, I recommend you do just that.</p>
<p>
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UChicago is different from other top tier schools as they are more abstract in their method of teaching their students
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</p>
<p>No, that's just what U Chicago likes to make their school seem like.</p>
<p>Really, Chicago isn't any more intellectual than other top-tier schools. It just markets itself on it.</p>
<p>Have you ever attended kyledavid?</p>
<p>I'd choose Stanford, mostly for the relaxed/chill social atmosphere.</p>
<p>First of all CONGRATS!!!! Secondly, I love each of these places. If you are serious about the weather, and I kinda know what you mean by the way, then obviously (my choice) Stanford is not the place. That leaves Chicago and Columbia. At Columbia you can get seasons, the intellectual atmosphere without the absolutely FREEZING cold. As for seasons, there is nothing like a walk through Central Park in the Fall. There are songs written about it ;-) (Autumn in New York). Columbia sounds like the best fit.</p>
<p>i don't know what to do and my parents are pushing for stanford just because of prestige, i don't know what to do.</p>
<p>Congrats for such wonderful choices. You don't say where you are from...do you want to stay closer to home? I would think your parents would be happy having you go to any of these schools. You can't go wrong. However, as to your misgivings about Stanford: Stanford is not only for rah rah California kids. You will definitely find the intellectual intensity you seek. It's a big place and there are a lot of different kinds of kids. Many are extremely intense. Go to Bowdoin Street (on campus) for your the leaf fix in November. Snow can be found in Tahoe and lots of kids go skiing during the winter. But yes, the weather on the campus itself can be monotonously glorious for those who prefer to freeze in winter. You can live on campus all four years or move off (you'll need a car).</p>
<p>jkjkjkj -- I don't think I'm alone in considering Columbia, Chicago and Stanford as academic peers.</p>
<p>they are very different cultures though. Stanford, when I attended, was known as the "Student Body President's" school. Very un New York, if you know what I mean (reference the checkout scene in Terms of Endearment). If you are into athletics at all, Stanford stands alone in that regard.</p>
<p>I am sure your parents are great people, but Stanford over Columbia for prestige???? Hmmm that is a tough argument. They are at least equals. The parents are trippin'</p>
<p>u should visit all three and decide for yourself. although, when i visited stanford, the campus was so darn gorgeous that i thought any student would love to study there...also, stanford has a bit of an edge over the other two in prestige department as well. stanford continuously gets ranked within top 10 among the best world universities by many international sources, and domestically, it is on par w/ hypm.</p>