So I was fortunate enough to be admitted to both Stanford and MIT this year, but this fortune also comes with a slight disadvantage: I have a tough decision to make. So I’m still trying to decide here between Stanford and MIT. So just a bit of background about me, I’m a person that is very interested in STEM; in particular, I am set on Engineering, although I am yet to decide what field of engineering (probably either electrical or mechanical), with maybe a minor in a pure science like chemistry or physics. I am very interested in doing research at college, and in fact, I already have a number of ideas of projects I might want to pursue. I may look at entrepreneurship eventually, but only after I’ve done enough scientific research to come up with a product/service. I was heavily involved in science fairs throughout my high school career, so I have experience doing research already. I also play a lot of soccer and I would very much like to continue that in college (though not on Varsity). As far as my personality goes, I am quite a science enthusiast.
So these are some pros and cons I have put together for each of Stanford and MIT
STANFORD
At Stanford, there’s the better weather obviously, which I’m taking into consideration. There’s also the location in Silicon Valley, which I think gives good opportunities for internships and the like. I have a variety of interests in STEM, so the quarter system would permit me to take a wider range of classes, which is something I like. The campus at Stanford is also really nice, so that’s a plus right there.
But my reservations about Stanford are the “Stanford Bubble” and the fact that there’s really no “city” nearby. There’s downtown Palo Alto, and that’s about it. Also, I fear that I may not find many “science nerds/enthusiasts” at Stanford that I can associate with.
MIT
I feel that the opportunities surrounding STEM at MIT are endless, both in terms of the research opportunities and the classes. MIT is branded as the premiere research institute for STEM, which is part of what draws me there. There’s also that fact that the MIT campus isn’t really a bubble like Stanford’s; Boston is easily accessible from there, among other places. I also feel like I may be able to easily find other “science nerds” to associate with at MIT. But I feel that this may be a disadvantage of its own as well, since pretty much 90% of the people at MIT are pursuing STEM majors, so I feel it may not be a very balanced undergrad experience, which I am also considering. My reservations about MIT also include the reputation for being too stressful; there’s also the East coast winter.
I have visited both campuses; I could not make it to MIT CPW (so I went for a private visit), and I am currently at Stanford’s admit weekend (though I am trying not to be biased because of that). Any possible help in making this decision would be appreciated. No t r o l l answers please, as the deadline is fast approaching (May 1st). I would really appreciate any possible help/advice! Thanks!
You probably should never come to stanford’s admit weekend, and never visit mit if you really want to go there. Either one will fulfill your purpose.
Try to think what you want to do after college, and where you prefer to stay. This may give you a direction.
What a great dilemma.
A couple of thoughts:
- Since you mention a strong interest in research, do you plan to go on to grad school? You could potentially get to experience both schools, depending on your interests.
- While 90% of MIT students major in STEM subjects, a much higher proportion have an active interest outside of STEM. There are lots of people who do second majors or minors outside of STEM, or who participate in music and the arts.
- My sense is that if doing signficant undergraduate research is really important to you, MIT has the edge. There will be tons of opportunities at Stanford, but I'm not sure anywhere can quite match MIT in this regard. Many students do as much of their learning in UROPs as they do in classes. It's just such an ingrained part of the culture of the institution. UROPs also don't have to be limited to your major - lots of students do research in several different departments, and some have changed majors based on their research experiences.
- While Stanford is close to Silicon Valley, tons of MIT engineering students do internships there. There is plenty of recruiting at career fairs. MIT also has formal programs like UPOP and the Gordon Engineering Leadership Program to help build skills necessary for success in industry.
- Based on your previous posts, financial aid could be an issue. You would probably thrive and be happy at both schools, so if there is a significant difference in aid, then that could be a significant factor.
Don’t over-analyze it. I think you’d probably do well either place; I think there’s a fairly high proportion of talented STEM students at Stanford and MIT who would be happy at either school. Go with which school feels more like your personality.
The fact that you’ve mentioned nothing about Humanities makes it seem like MIT is the better choice for you.
@CheckMate123 you wont have any difference in opportunities between the two. MIT and Stanford are the top 2 schools for STEM. you have done a very good outlining all the other things you like dislike about both.
For is the one consideration here. Which one would you regret more not experiencing?
If you are at Stanford admit week and can’t make up your mind then taking advice from a bunch of strangers is the wrong way to make a decision. 
If you are into CS, I recommend Stanford. If you are just into Engineering, you could choose either.
What did you pick?