<p>I'd go back to applying to the one that is more right for you. Stanford is really tough but much more laid back in a way - just being there with thousands of trees around is relaxing. MIT has an urban feel that may put you on edge a little more.</p>
<p>MIT is full of weird kids who party hard with hard alcohol. I don't know as much about Stanford's party scene, but the size of the campus itself wouldn't seem conducive to a very lively party atmosphere.</p>
<p>I don't really think Stanford and MIT are very similar at all (they are in academics, but not environment), so I really think you should apply EA to your favorite.</p>
<p>in your opinion, do you think the MIT match is the nerdy/techy type? or is it more of a well-rounded science school?</p>
<p>I really feel that I match with MIT, but I can't really say why.</p>
<p>also, can someone explain to me the various admission types at the two schools? I'm starting to fill out the common ap (but MIt isn't on the list, so I don't think I can common ap that), and I'm so confused by all the EA/ED/EAbinding decisions.</p>
<p>Are you guys serious when you say MITs EA offers no advantage? Do you mean that MIT doesn't care either way or do you mean that since the Acceptance rates for EA and RD are very similar, so there's no advantage?</p>
<p>One thing to consider - Stanford sends interest letters to people who send in RA. Which is to say, if you are a strong candidate, you will know Stanford wants you long before the official word.</p>
<p>I concur with the people who said you should think about the kind of school you want to attend as they seem very different. I spent a year at Stanford a few years ago and have hired several kids from MIT and know quite a few people who have attended and a number who teach there. MIT appears to be an extremely intense place. The work volume is phenomenal and there is a tremendous bonding experience for those who make it. But, quite a number burn out. That's why they are so focused on match. </p>
<p>It is also a somewhat socially unique place (geeky by some people's standards). People who went there and loved it report great times putting cows on the roof, doing extremely elaborate pranks that most people could never imagine doing, etc. What I love about MIT students is that if you give them something to work on, they will always come back with an answer. If they can solve it exactly, they will. If not, they'll come back with an approximate solution. I had a Harvard kid working with a couple of MIT kids and the Harvard kid would sometimes come back and say he couldn't figure out how to attack it. And he was equally bright if not brighter but the training is very different.</p>
<p>Stanford seems much more laid back (though some of that is a veneer -- people don't want to admit they are working very hard) and much more diverse. You are unlikely to have a large number of classics majors at MIT. I did not have the sense that the Stanford undergrads on average had anywhere near the wattage of the MIT undergrads, but the MIT undergrads are largely focused on a more limited set of fields.</p>
<p>Please! I'm begging you; disregard which school is Harder && just go for which school will benefit you more && the school that will have things in match with your personality</p>
<p>My vote is on Stanford though; the aesthetics of their campus is efffiinn beautiful....MIT on the other hand....((wamp wamp))</p>
<p>"One thing to consider - Stanford sends interest letters to people who send in RA. Which is to say, if you are a strong candidate, you will know Stanford wants you long before the official word."</p>
<p>I though RA was Regular Action, but I could be wrong...</p>
<p>in response to the OP, I'd say they're equally hard on average, but it depends a lot on the kind of person you are. For example, to make it obvious and extreme, if you're really good at writing, chances are you'll have an easier time getting into Stanford. Of course.</p>
<p>I used to think MIT was all techy and nerdy, and I do think that that element still persists - but I think MIT is really aiming to build a more diverse student body, rather than just students that can churn out numbers and equations. When I was perusing the MIT EA thread, just the number of students who did USAMO, got really high AIME scores, or qualified for different olympiads for America who did not get in EA indicates that getting into an olympiad is not THE ticket into MIT entrance. I think scientific competence is a prerequisite to MIT acceptance, but outstanding work in that field is not a guarantee of admission. I must admit though that I don't know anything about whether MIT EA gives you a boost in admissions.</p>
<p>And yes, Stanford does send "likely letters" to some candidates before RD. I actually got a likely letter from Stanford in January saying that I had been "approved for admission" - I was pleasantly surprised! But I understand that there's only around 100 of those per year, so I wouldn't apply MIT EA just because of this.</p>
<p>I ended up choosing MIT actually because I think MIT has a better atmosphere than Stanford. Sure, I enjoy the Californian climate that Stanford offers, but I really like the "campus culture" at MIT. Stanford people may be laid back, but a lot of people I've met say that their students "paddle like ducks underneath the calm surface." IMO, those people are more scary than people who work hard. Also, I just enjoy the way that MIT is set more in an urban environment (I'm a city person) and that there's SO MANY colleges around it. Sure, Stanford is pretty, but you only get Cal, and Stanford's located like 20 minutes from the city. To me, this is actually a big issue.</p>
<p>So it's really up to your preferences at the end. I don't think it's fair to be comparing which school is more "selective" or "better." To each his own.</p>
<p>^ Ya, it's a common perception that Stanford students act all laid back and all but "paddle like kids" under the surface (meaning they work hard when no one's looks/notices)</p>
<p>Thanks a lot. now that you guys've said how MIT has higher wattage in narrower fields, I'm beginning to think I'm more of a Stanford person, since I'm more rounded. I guess now, it's just examining whether I want to sacrifice a bit of the roundedness for a more intensive study in science.</p>
<p>Can I clarify a few points? do you get the likely letters from stanford when you apply early or apply regular?</p>
<p>You get the likely letters for a regular application. I doubt there is time for early action.</p>
<p>If you are truly well rounded, then Stanford is the better choice - some people change their minds about their long term goals. Some people even switch from Math/Science/Engineering to something more in the liberal arts. That is more difficult at MIT.</p>
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^^How do they know you exist to send likely letter for regular decision? Through PSAT? Through SAT? How do they know you want to apply to them?
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<p>They send likely letters AFTER you apply. It's more like "you're officially admitted, please choose our University because we've told you this before everyone else and made you feel special and boosted your ego"!</p>