Do you have an idea on what you plan to do after undergrad? My D chose Princeton due to it’s focus on undergrads, academic rigor and that all student do research and produce a senior thesis. She plans on a PhD or MD/PhD (medical researcher) after ug so she believed Princeton was one of the best schools to prepare her for that.
I’m originally from southern CA and did a grad work at Cal-Berkeley and Harvard. Other than the formal education you get from whatever the college you choose, there are intangible “education” that I wouldn’t ignore. When I moved to Boston and traveled all over the east coast while doing a grad work at Harvard, I grew and learned so much that had nothing to do with the grad school. The whole experience of being in the east coast truly added another dimension to the person that I’m today. I would not trade that for anything. I do understand what you mean by your concern of being so near Stanford, and ultimately you’d have to go with your gut feeling, but I’d like to recommend that you take this chance as a golden opportunity to expand your life’s experience beyond what the formal education would grants you.
FWIW, I’m in New Haven today - it’s 75 degrees and sunny, the trees and daffodils are in bloom, there’s a soundstage on Old Campus where they’re doing a sound check for Spring Fling tomorrow and there are a lot of relaxed-looking students walking around, as I believe reading period began today and exams still feel far off. Very tranquil.
“The following campus safety ranking puts Harvard, MIT, Stanford at a more dangerous spot than Yale: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/09/14/most-dangerous-college-campuses-ranked.html”
The Daily Beast list has the University of Baltimore at #5 (less safe) and Johns Hopkins at #309 (more safe). Does that seem strange, both being located in Baltimore.
And Stanford is ranked #19 located in Stanford/Palo Alto, but Cal is ranked #32. And a lot of people on this forum worry about Berkeley?
^ Exactly, the list just shows that the differences are so small that it’s not really something that needs to be factored in much into your decision. It’s as irrational as not choosing Stanford because you fear earthquakes.
Hey guys! I’ve narrowed it down to Stanford and Yale, so pretty much whether I want to stay near home or try something completely different.
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Putting in a vote for different, just on general principle.
@ThatCaliGirl congrats on narrowing down your choices. I would advise against thinking it as same vs different. Transition to college means doing something different regardless of whether you are within driving distance from home or the other end of the country. I would advise on thinking it in terms of where you fit in best. Stanford and Yale have major differences in term of vibe, campus culture, social life, academic philosophy etc.
Is there one of the two that kind of speaks to you more, that your gut tells you is a better fit for you?