<p>Hi Guys!
Well, to my shock and utter surprise AND because of dumb luck, I got into Columbia and Stanford! But I am having a very difficult time choosing between these schools, and I was wondering if anyone else was in this blessed situation, or if not- what your choice would be. Personally, Stanford is what I'm leaning towards but Columbia's fin-aid is promised to be generous. Any input is appreciated, and I sincerely hope this came off in a non-"snooty" way, lol.</p>
<p>P. S.: I am a pre-med/public health policy!</p>
<p>I think you should Stanford. Stanford usually meets most people's financial need..so dont worry about that too much. I am not in the same situation, but if I were, I would choose Stanford. Plus, Stanford is better with the pre-med/biological sciences than Columbia. hope that helped. good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>thanks! </p>
<p>any other thoughts?
:)</p>
<p>I am in the same situation as well. No idea where to go! I am interested in doing Economics or Philosophy and have been told by several people that Columbia is superior in these fields?</p>
<p>Stanford has a great "Human Biology" interdisciplinary program that is great for those with interests in health related fields, and San Francisco is an amazing place for health policy and public health. The econ department is also superb--excellent professors with fascinating research in the upper division class, and fantastic profs who really know how to teach in the intro courses. And I'd take Bay Area weather (and Lake Tahoe sking) over New York any day!</p>
<p>Congrats to both--you'll be happy anywhere!</p>
<p>I have a son at Columbia and a daughter who'll be going to Stanford in
September. Both are fabulous schools, so you don't need to make your
decision based on quality of academics. What you need to consider is the extent to which you want to take pre-professional courses and the lifestyle you prefer. Columbia College is not for the strongly pre-professionally minded student, although its students do extremely well in admissions to professional graduate schools. The College has very stringent requirements (the Core) and, if you really prefer to plot your own course and have more freedom to explore, Stanford might be better for you. On the other hand, if you feel that to be educated means to have studied the great books and great ideas of western and other civilizations, then Columbia may be for you.
Also, consider the lifestyle. If you love world-class cities, then go for Columbia. If you enjoy the city for a day but are glad to retreat to a less hectic pace, the Stanford may be better for you.</p>