I have the incredible luck of being accepted to these three amazing schools. I got into Stanford REA and then received the decisions from Harvard and Columbia (columbia engineering, specifically) a couple days ago. I really have no clue what I’m gonna do, but I’m leaning Stanford (which is why I applied REA).
I think it’s Stanford’s atmosphere, culture, and surroundings (like silicon valley, tech bubble) that are really swaying me over. I’m not quite too sure what I wanna major in though - I’ve always been inclined to do engineering (MechE, then Aero) because it provides a great balance between what I’m actually interested in (physics) and having a great paying, stable career (and I really love aerospace engineering).
Over the past couple years, however, I’ve had a passing interest in investment banking. You guys know why. I’m still attracted to it, and Harvard would be great for it. And if I’m brave enough to go after what I actually want, Harvard would also be an ideal place to pursue physics. But Stanford physics is also top notch. Columbia, I’m much pretty limited to engineering.
I think I’m having the hardest time choosing between Stanford and Harvard, since I think I’d much rather choose Stanford for engineering than Columbia.
@doubleslit The good thing about Stanford is that it is super strong in all fields. No other school can say that it is this strong in everything. So you don’t have to know what you want to study, all departments (STEM, humanities, social sciences, medicine, law, business) at Stanford are at the top or near the top.
You can easily break into investment banking from Stanford. You can work for the tech group of major investment banks (such as the Technology division at Morgan Stanley) most of which which are located in silicon valley, or come out east to wall street.
As for overall atmosphere, culture and vibe, I agree with you, Stanford is the most attractive of the three to me as well.
@doubleslit don’t you have until the end of the day to change your decision? I know you already paid your enrollment fee for Harvard, but if you really regret it, then $500 is insignificant in the long term. If you really want to go to Stanford, you should go there instead of regretting it for the next four years. For what it’s worth, you are still going to freaking Harvard. It’s not like you are going to a public state school.
@renaissancedad It’s just the area I enjoyed a lot at Harvard; the whole vibe, really. I liked the urban setting and feel of the campus situated within Boston. I liked it more than Palo Alto, which felt a bit scattered and far too spread out. I did feel like Stanford’s atmosphere was a bit more “fun” and joyful, though.
I think I’m regretting it for two main reasons: I may want to go into engineering, and Stanford is clearly the better option for it. Also, everyone was pressuring me to choose Stanford for the better weather, more fun atmosphere, and better education for engineering.
I would have picked Columbia in a heart beat. New York City. Core curriculum. New York City. But then I’m ADHD and often do and say things that feel crazy to others.
^ I deleted my post because I saw you had a separate thread going into your decision in more detail.
I’ve attended both Stanford (undergrad) and Harvard (med school). I turned Harvard down for undergrad in favor of Stanford, and turned Stanford down for med school in favor or Harvard. Both are amazing institutions, though very different environments.
It seems to me that Harvard resonated more with you, and that your hesitation is more due to pressure and what other people are telling you than anything else. Right now it sounds like your interests are all over the place, so choosing a school for a particular major doesn’t make a lot of sense. Harvard does have engineering (though not aerospace), and it’s putting a lot of effort into trying to build up the program. Also, if you found that engineering was really your clear focus and Harvard didn’t provide what you wanted, transferring to somewhere like MIT or Stanford would be a possibility.
As others have noted, you can probably reverse your decision tomorrow if you are so inclined. But it doesn’t seem to me like that’s really what you want, more just general angst and family pressure.
I’m personally more of a Stanford person. I just fit in better in Stanford’s environment than in Harvard’s. But that’s just me, and it’s not a judgment on which school is better for anyone else. I went to Stanford a long time ago, and I’m sure some things have changed, including possibly some changes that wouldn’t thrill me. It’s really a personal decision about which school’s environment calls most strongly to you. An undergraduate education is only the beginning of your journey, and you’ll have tons of opportunities at either school to do whatever you want.
I would have picked Harvard. Even if Harvard isn’t known for its engineering, I kind of doubt you will ever be in a job interview or any other situation where having a degree from Harvard (!!) just isn’t good enough.
I get concerned when I see here on CC students thinking they have to go to the best school for a specific field or thinking that they have to go someplace that is “known for” their major. Selecting a college is SO much more than just the major you are picking. I know in engineering there’s a bit more of an emphasis…but Harvard is Harvard. You’re going to land on your feet. If Harvard resonated with you more and you feel like you’d enjoy it…go there and don’t look back! And tell your friends “Thanks for your input, but I’m very happy with my decision!”