<p>Of course, the presumption that some people on this thread seem to be making is that people pick the university they pick based on some sort of ranking scheme. A quick chat with the high school student would reveal that to be an incorrect assumption.</p>
<p>All in all, I've got to say that this, unfortunately, is among the more pointless 6-page threads on CC. Harvard, by the way, seems to have its brand new posterX.</p>
<p>CautiousPessimism: I never said or implied that people pick the university they pick based on some sort of ranking scheme. I am just asking people their reasons for choosing a university between the two.</p>
<p>Here is a facinating new study for those interested in the factors considered by top students when deciding where to enroll. </p>
<p>You'll have to order it via e-mail (no charge) as its not available online in its entirety.</p>
<p>this NOT a "ranking" of schools, but a survey of the <em>reasons</em> given for whatever choice is made.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.lipmanhearne.com/resources/%5B/url%5D">http://www.lipmanhearne.com/resources/</a></p>
<p>In my opinion, I believe that MIT is better than Harvard in some sciences (especially engineering).</p>
<p>My friend turned down Harvard for Stanford. She said that the atmosphere didn't suit her.</p>
<p>Byerly-- Extraordinary piece of information. Bravo!</p>
<p>It may be interesting to note that among Intel finalists, Harvard is the most oft cited choice.</p>
<p>Yeah. What's even more interesting to note is that for some peculiar reason, Stanford seemed to be a huge choice among Intel finalists, too, nearly approaching Harvard's popularity. I believe almost every finalist who applied there got in--it seems that this year they really made an effort to get STS finalists, and it worked.</p>
<p>Here are the exact statistics for this year's batch of finalists (39 out of the 40 finalists):</p>
<p>Cambridge Community College: 11
Stanford: 8
MIT: 5
Yale: 3
Caltech: 2
Brown: 2
Princeton: 1
UChicago: 1
Johns Hopkins: 1
Williams: 1
U Georgia: 1
Carleton: 1
Wesleyan: 1
Utah State: 1</p>
<p>Interesting to note that Stanford would have had even more, except 2 or 3 people who were pretty set on it chose Harvard after the prefrosh weekends.</p>
<p>They must have picked Harvard because of the great weather in Cambridge on the admit weekend.</p>
<p>Yeah, maybe! I was very surprised, too (I mean, pleasantly surprised--I love these people and whether I'm in Cambridge or New Haven next year, I'll be able to see them), but they seemed so sure on Stanford before. Maybe I'll ask them why they made their decisions and report back to you :)</p>
<p>One kid told me he thought the skits at Stanford were a bit mickeymouse.</p>
<p>Interesting. Could be right--looking back, of the people who went to the prefrosh and had "viable" other choices--such as Harvard, MIT, etc.--none of them ended up at Stanford, at least by what I can tell. Strange!</p>
<p>Wow, that sounds like an excellent way to choose a college. :(</p>
<p>And the number of Intel finalists who typically list Harvard as their first choice is usually a higher proportion (see biographies listed on the STS site), since Harvard by no means offers admission to all finalists who apply.</p>
<p>Historically speaking, Harvard, MIT and Yale attract the most STS finalists. Harvard typically nets about 10 or 11 per year out of the 40. MIT and Yale net about 4 each. Stanford, Princeton get about 3 per year, Caltech 2 and Cornell close to 2. Brown, Harvey Mudd, NYU, Duke, Swarthmore and Williams average close to 1 per year. This info is from Science Service.</p>
<p>Yeah, Stanford's numbers obviously weren't three this year and probably won't be for many years to come. Hmm, no Cornell this year, no Harvey Mudd, NYU, Duke (although a few considered it), or Swarthmore this year...</p>
<p>How many did Stanford get this year?</p>
<p>only one winner, if at all, who reportedly "hopes to attend carnegie mellon or stanford." but the info predates the decision deadline.</p>
<p>several finalists list stanford as possibilities:</p>
<p>Um, I just posted this a page back :p Stanford got 8.</p>
<p>Only one "winner", btw, went to Stanford, and that's the one who listed Stanford and CMU as his top choices (he was stuck between MIT and Stanford). As for the other 9 winners, if you're curious, two ended up at Yale, three ended up at Harvard, two are going to Caltech, one is going to MIT, and one ended up at Utah State.</p>