Stanford vs MIT

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>I asked in the MIT forum the major differences overall and about my prospective majors, but I want to the opinions from this side since each side will be naturally a little biased.</p>

<p>Stanford has been my first choice for a while, but I was recently admitted to MIT as well. I honestly didn't think I would get in. I figure I should really consider it as an option, so I am asking about people's general feelings between Stanford and MIT. I'm considering majoring in computer science or economics, but I can see it changing to almost anything. What makes Stanford's programs in cs and economics unique or better than MIT's?</p>

<p>I plan on visiting both in April before making my decision, but if you have anything to add, I would appreciate it!</p>

<p>Thanks guys and gals.</p>

2

<p>Affe, since both Stanford and MIT offer top-flight academics, faculty and students, it might be helpful to consider various quality-of-life matters as you think about where you want to spend the next four years. I know several students and grads from each school, so I’ll offer my perspective.</p>

<p>Stanford has what is widely considered the most beautiful, well-equipped campus in the United States, with an incredible array of activities and resources on offer. The student body is extremely diverse, to the enrichment of all. Students say the residence halls and houses are excellent, and that the food is good and readily available in various dining halls and other venues across campus throughout the day. The fantastic Northern California climate allows for biking around campus and all kinds of outside activities, and promotes interactions among students and faculty since people like to hang out outdoors. Students take their studies very seriously and spend a great deal of time studying, but most of them also seem to seek a good work/life balance, finding time to participate in a huge array of pursuits in addition to completing psets and papers. All of these factors, and many more, combine to create an overall positive vibe on campus–you won’t find students wearing “I Hate This ****ing Place” shirts at Stanford–though there is some ritual primal screaming before exam periods!</p>

<p>MIT has what might charitably be called a serviceable campus, though the location next to the river affords nice views from some buildings. Dorms vary a lot in desirability, and food is an issue, both as to quality and accessibility. If you like the idea of eating whatever you can find from a food truck, no problem. The winters are very long and very nasty, though there are some underground tunnels between buildings. Sleep deprivation is common and expected, which is both unfortunate and ironic since adequate sleep is essential for learning and overall health, and to maximize the final major spurt in brain development that occurs during the late teens and early twenties. Some say there is a vaguely masochistic attitude among many students, resulting from the “drinking from a firehose” approach of the faculty. The Cambridge location is a plus for those who want quick urban access, though there is much more crime in the area surrounding MIT than there is near Stanford.</p>

<p>One other factor to consider is that at Stanford, students have until the end of their sophomore year to declare their major(s), whereas at MIT they must declare at the end of freshman year, which is typically consumed with general requirements. This could be a significant difference unless a student is completely certain of his intended major(s) upon matriculation.</p>

<p>Enjoy your visits to the colleges! As I said, they are both academic powerhouses, so you’ll want to see how each one feels before making a choice.</p>

3

<p>To split hair,
for computer science, go to Stanford;
for economics, go to MIT.</p>

4

<p>I was rejected from MIT, but I had pretty much decided on Stanford before finding out. </p>

<p>MIT was my first choice for a while. Their blogs are hilarious (along with their hacks), and I think it’s great how students will get into heated debates of the strangest of topics. Snowball fights, mattress dominoes, students making strange foods, and things like the new Quidditch club were amusing, and I thought all the research opportunities were great and I wanted to go on one of their programs abroad. </p>

<p>I didn’t like the weather or campus much, though. A lot of the pictures I saw seemed gloomy and grey, and any pictures of the place paled in comparison to Stanford’s sunny campus. From MIT I also get a really energetic and active vibe from the students, while Stanford seems to be more relaxed and laid back. I found that I liked Stanford’s Bing Overseas Studies program more than I did MIT’s program, and I realized that you can have equally great research opportunities at Stanford if you look for them. </p>

<p>From what I hear students at MIT are very sleep-deprived and classes can be very stressful. That’s not to say students at Stanford don’t stress out, but I get the feeling they do it a lot less often. Like zenkoan said, Stanford hasn’t yet felt the need to create their own IHTFP acronym. </p>

<p>I think both schools are incredible, but I guess choosing depends on the “feel” you get from each campus once you visit. I don’t think you can go wrong with either school for either CS or Economics, so I wouldn’t choose based on how good their programs for each major are.</p>

5

<p>if you’re a masochist, then by all means go to MIT. you’ll be receiving a lot of pressure from its intensive education. at stanford, this happens once in a while (finals) which is pretty much normal. the place is much more scenic and fun to explore than MIT (san francisco = golden gate bridge & san jose). the sports at Stanford are very good. it is a very well-rounded school in terms of academics and social life compared to MIT. its your choice…misery or happiness.</p>

6

<p>Just to clarify - MIT students don’t actually have to declare a major at the end of frosh year. You can basically just declare “undeclared” and stay that way for as long as you want at the end of frosh year. However, even if you want to switch it is incredibly easy. You just need fill out one form and you’ll be assigned to a new adviser in your new department. I know personally over a dozen people who have switched their major anywhere from once to three different times. This is also the reason why you don’t see many people remaining “undeclared,” because declaring a major just means you’ll get to meet a major adviser earlier and if you don’t like it, just switch! No big deal at all.</p>

<p>I also want to point out that we have arguably the longest add date and drop date (5th week and 11th week, respectively) of possibly any college in the US, which is amazing if you like to “shop” for classes.</p>

<p>Also food is an issue, but I personally haven’t eaten from a food truck in over a year. We do have four dining halls if you would like to not cook, but the only problem is that they’re overpriced…which is why we don’t eat there much.</p>

<p>Furthermore, it’s not fair to compare crime between MIT and Stanford because you’re basically comparing an urban town against a quaint, very stand-alone rural campus. I’m a guy but I do regularly walk back from the library past three in the morning and has never felt threatened. Personally, I do not know of anyone who has been mugged or robbed on MIT campus yet. (theft occurs, though)</p>

<p>But yes, our campus is ugly compared to Stanford, and the winters here are bitter, long, and cold. Be ready for some long winters (although not as bad as Chicago winters, from my friends at Northwestern) if you decide to come here.</p>

<p>(oh, IHTFP is very common and so is sleep deprivation, but you’ll be surprised at the amount of collaboration and camaraderie you get out of the “we’re all in this together” mentality. ;P)</p>

7

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<p>Yes, just like in prison!</p>

8

<p>Distinct Advantages of Stanford:
-weather. Nice at campus, but if you like snow you can get your fix at tahoe.<br>
-campus
-location (beautiful hills a stone’s throw away, sierra-nevada mountains are a mornings drive, pacific ocean is an hours drive, sanfran is an hours drive or train ride, napa valley is up there). In short, if you plan to spend any time in the great outdoors, stanford is where it’s at. Especially right now, when you can pretty much do any outdoor activity thinkable. Like you can surf one day, hike a mountain the next, and get a powder-day the next! I know people doing all three over spring break.<br>
-social atmosphere. I get the sense people here are less uptight, more social, although this may just be my ignorance. Definitely west-coast atmosphere, if that’s your thing.<br>
-quarter system. This may be a disadvantage, although the only “downside” I really see is that you are a month offset from semester friends back home. Although if you’re into a simple life, this is a good time to relax and spend time with family. </p>

<p>Distinct advantages of MIT:
-Boston. Sanfran (for freshman, mainly) might as well be in Oregon!
-techy majors are probably more intense at MIT, although I could be wrong.</p>

9

<p>which school is better for playing squash at a profrssional level?</p>