Stanford vs Yale (and political opportunities?)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>Hey guys!</p>

<p>I'm currently choosing between Stanford and Yale. I'm hoping to study Political Science, and I want my school to have political opportunities. This would seem to lend itself to Yale. However, I've visited both, and I feel slightly more comfortable at Stanford. And even though I like Stanford better, I would like to eventually work in Washington DC (though plans may, of course, change).</p>

<p>If there are any current Stanford students that could address this, I would really appreciate it. General comments about either school are welcome!</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>For you, wikizilla: [Home</a> | Stanford in Washington](<a href=“http://siw.stanford.edu/]Home”>http://siw.stanford.edu/)</p>

3

<p>Stanford political science has a good program, but I’ve found a fair bit of the students are lacking, at least they’re very quiet so I have no way of knowing how smart they are. On the flipside, it makes it relatively easy to rise up the pack, which given the strength of the professors and the money in the department can probably get you places.</p>

4

<p>[This</a> thread](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1321045-stanford-georgetown-sfs-oxford-madison-international-relations.html]This”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1321045-stanford-georgetown-sfs-oxford-madison-international-relations.html) on Georgetown vs. Stanford may be helpful to you. It focuses more on IR, but in post #10 I talk about Stanford’s opportunities, strengths in poli sci (#1 in both NRC and US news), and its connections to DC.</p>

5

<p>Stanford’s chief problem with regard to your interests is its quarter schedule and how late the spring term ends. (My son, a poli sci major, had the same issue at Dartmouth.) This year, for example, a Stanford student can’t count on starting an internship until 6/18 or a few days before. However, most internships start mid-May to early June at the latest. There were several programs in DC my Stanford daughter was interested in, and so she contacted them about their flexibility regarding start date. The response was not favorable. Also, flying to NYC or DC for interviews is a real bear.</p>

<p>That said, Stanford does provide lots of opportunities for students such as the SIG program mentioned above, as well as plentiful social science research opportunities, so there are ways to work around the academic schedule. Also, our D has already interacted with Professor Rice and recently met with a professor who had worked as a top economic advisor in DC to ask for career guidance.</p>

<p>Beyond that, Stanford is a wonderful, happy place that most students love. I personally thought Yale was also such a place, so I doubt you can go wrong. But D chose Stanford and has never regretted it for one minute.</p>