<p>So I finally narrowed down my choices to Stanford and MIT.</p>
<p>I keep going back and forth,,, the only thing that stops me from choosing Stanford at the moment is that I have a feeling that MIT students get better job offers, the opportunity to go to Cambridge/Oxford Universities, and of course the energy at MIT.</p>
<p>Are those things worth it, I think I might be a bit more relaxed at Stanford, and the prestige seems to be a bit greater at MIT as well.</p>
<p>What do you think? Is MIT considered to have "harder working" students? Is the opportunity to study at other prestigious colleges while at MIT a big advantage over going to lets say Stanford?</p>
<p>What would you do? I'm not completely sure on what I want major in, but I'm pretty sure it will be something in the math/science fields.. </p>
<p>I'm looking at the long term effects and want to know what school opens up better opportunities.</p>
<p>Well, Stanford is absolutely my dream school (partly because of their running program), and its campus and sports facilities are GORGEOUS!! This is just my personal opinion, but if you want to major in the math/science field then I think MIT is the way to go (it seems so stereotypical to go there though…) Anyways, try to remember that you are choosing between two excellent schools and you will most be likely be happy at either!!</p>
<p>I disagree with runnergirl13. I don’t think MIT has an edge over Stanford in math/sciences. Of course, it depends on specific fields of science/mathematics, but overall, Stanford also has stellar math/science programs.</p>
<p>Stanford also has a program where its students can go to Oxbridge to study (my close friend did this his sophomore year. He said it is actually a very popular program among undergrads and the best experience he had.) </p>
<p>So I think it comes down to what environment you like. I do agree with the OP that the atmosphere at Stanford is more laid back, but that doesn’t necessarily mean working less. Also, Stanford is a HUGE sports school with great teams. MIT isn’t so hot on sports, but its classical music program is top notch and something like 60% of its students participate in some sort of music groups. </p>
<p>Have you visited either? I think that’d make things a looooot easier.</p>
<p>When I visited Stanford the other day and stayed in a dorm, I got the impression that Stanford students, especially in the sciences, were working very hard. But they all seemed to have a great balance (some probably needed more sleep though). Like my host took me out to dinner in Palo Alto, went to go workout with me late at night, and spent an hour typing up a proposal for a community service project, even when he had a midterm the very next morning. </p>
<p>From what I heard about MIT, students have their “academics and one outside passion.” I don’t know if this is true or not. MIT students probably work harder, but they probably spend their time on a less diverse group of things.</p>
<p>Stanford the campus and weather are pretty laid back. Uh, the students are not.</p>
<p>Just because they can go to class in shorts and flip flops while riding their skateboards to class in December, does not mean they aren’t kicking … in class or working their … off.</p>