<p>Hello! </p>
<p>Like every other kid on CC right now, I am trying to decide which university to spend the next 4 years at. I have started a couple threads on this topic, but although current/recently graduated students can give a synopsis of their 4 year experience, I am hoping to get advice from people who can offer a longer-term perspective on which of these schools will be the best foundation for my career.</p>
<p>I'll start out with some goals. I am undecided on my major right now, but am positive it will be in STEM. I put physics on my application, but that could easily change. I plan to go to graduate school and earn a PhD directly after college.</p>
<p>Thus far, I have had an atypical high school experience for someone with STEM aspirations. For ~5 years, I have been devoted to an athletic pursuit, and am not scholarly or intellectual in the least. Suffice it to say that I have had nightmares about interviewers asking what books I read. I do not plan to continue participating in this activity, and I need a school that can get me on the right track.</p>
<p>Here are the schools:
Cornell<a href="college%20of%20engineering">/b</a>
**MIT
Stanford</p>
<p>I am going to visit all three for the first time this month, but so far I think I have gained a cursory understanding of their differences.</p>
<p>Stanford is the school I'm currently leaning towards. I feel like out of all three, I will have by far the best time at Stanford. The student body is incredibly diverse and I am confident that I will be able to find students I can relate to, from day 1. Their powerhouse athletic teams and well-rounded departments seem like they will provide the quintessential college experience, which appeals to me. However, it is rumored to be easier than the other two, and to have grade inflation. Also, it is on the quarter system which would allow me to take many more classes and sample more of my interests. I am worried that Stanford will not prepare me as well.</p>
<p>MIT had been my dream school for a long time. I know the most about this school, and there are certainly awesome things about it like IAP and the Pass/No Record first semester. However, my largest misgiving is in the student body. From our interactions thus far, I feel out of place with the other students, most of whom have extensive knowledge in their prospective major and are already involved with STEM projects outside of the classroom. In 4 years, I want to be a good fit for MIT. I just don't think I'm there right now.</p>
<p>Cornell I honestly don't know that much about except that it is gorgeous, and in the middle of nowhere.</p>
<p>Big factors for me:</p>
<p>- Research Opportunities/Internships
I know that MIT has the UROP program, and am confident that I will be able to find a position requiring little/no prior experience. I am not as sure about Stanford and Cornell. Location also plays into this, Silicon valley is often touted as a huge asset to Stanford but I'm not sure how beneficial it will be to me. Computer science does not interest me and neither do startups, so it would be very helpful if someone could speak to the differences of Boston vs. Silicon Valley for internship opportunities.</p>
<p>- Professor Accessibility
Stanford is apparently notorious for having little undergraduate focus. Are MIT and Cornell any better?</p>
<p>- Rigor
MIT is selling itself as providing a totally unique experience. It prides itself on collaboration and the unmatched difficulty of its classes. This is maybe the biggest issue for me - will MIT give me a superior education to Stanford and Cornell?</p>
<p>Thank you for reading this behemoth, I appreciate any and all advice!</p>
except that you will be fine wherever you end up , congrats and good luck!</p>