<p>Out of all the top schools, why do Stanford and Harvard get hated on the most? One cannot say that they are the best schools and that everyone hates on the the front-runners because Yale, MIT, Princeton, and Caltech do not get as much flak as Stanford and Harvard even though they are just as good. So how come anytime somebody wants to attack the "elitist" or "snobby" or private schools they single out Stanford or Harvard as a sort of personification of all that is bad with the top privates? Sometimes the attacks do not make any sense because Princeton is obviously the snobbiest private and yet nobody uses Princeton as the epitome of snooty privates. Rather, they choose Harvard and sometimes even Stanford.....which is actually the most laid back in the bunch.</p>
<p>Because their school colors involve some variant of Red. ;)</p>
<p>And I sense a tad of bias myself by seeing this:</p>
<p>
[quote]
... obviously the snobbiest private ...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Quite judgmental, aren't we? The elites will always take flak. This year, and some years past, it has been Stanford and Harvard.</p>
<p>I think it's because people just choose the first top private schools that come to mind, and Harvard and Stanford simply have the most common brand-name recognition. Also, Stanford gets hit on by Berkeley a lot, and the "rivalry" between the two schools epitomizes the struggle between the top privates and publics.</p>
<p>I said Princeton is the snootiest private because it has a reputation of being snobby. They have the eating clubs and an atmosphere of exclusivity. That's just the image they project.</p>
<p>Well, perhaps it's because the other side always makes a big deal and starts throwing the flak.</p>
<p>Remember, Stanford rivals UC Berkeley.</p>
<p>Harvard rivals Yale.</p>
<p>(Anyone see the Red/Blue conflict here?)</p>
<p>What about Princeton and its orange self? I don't see any schools directly in competition with the school? No long-term rivalries, etc.,</p>
<p>Here's my theory:We're all insecure, whether we admit it or not. People hate on the elite schools in order to rationalize their not being able to get in. Harvard is most notorious for it's unpredictable admissions process, so it "takes the most flak" (I've never heard that phrase used in my life, but I like it!). Among the Ivy Leagues, I'd say Harvard has the biggest name (though it's hard to measure when we're comparing between Harvard, Princeton, Yale, etc.); that may be another reason why it's always mentioned.
I'm not sure about Stanford. People don't talk about Stanford all that much in New England.</p>
<p>Why do Stanford and Harvard get so much flak? </p>
<p>SOunds like your talking about WW II or something lol</p>
<p>Lol Gutrade, I like the way you think. I got accepted everywhere except Stanford (expecting the reject notice after not getting the magic call for deferred people). The way it stands, I'm seriously considering Berkeley over any of the ivies. Comes down to simple arithmetics/logic/fit/whatever. Berkeley has gone out of its way to make me feel wanted, ... and that beats being a fr... number at some ivy. UCLA has done the same thing, but I really want to get away and be on my own (not that there is something wrong with my family - I got the best, ... just need to go).</p>
<p>I have thought it through more than once, trust me. I only applied to those other schools (outside of Stanford) because my school virtually forced me upon deferral from Stanford. S.... them. They can be happy now and list all the ivies someone got accepted to, lol. And I go my way to the school I initially wanted to go to anyway. Styanford happened to be next to it, so I HAD to take the tour (per my parents).</p>
<p>Berkeley has character. Stanford has a peaceful, laid-back environment (which I fell in love with, true), .... but Stanford is filled with snobs benefitting from whatever their parents did for them. I hate that! So that makes accepting my imminent rejection a whole lot easier.</p>
<p>I am sure my undergraduate Berkeley degree will open any door I want to open for me, PLUS: I'll be starting graduate school without debt.
GO BEARS!</p>
<p>"SOunds like your talking about WW II or something lol"</p>
<p>that's what's so cool about the phrase!</p>
<p>_Jc
I made the choice and chose Berkeley over all the UC's and one ivy (low one), and I dont regret it.
I hope I see you next year.</p>
<p>YOU WILL (if I can help it!!!) - GO Bears!!!</p>
<p>" -"SOunds like your talking about WW II or something lol"</p>
<p>that's what's so cool about the phrase"</p>
<p>Sorry I'm lost there, but how does WWII fit into whatever was said?</p>
<p>Because of the lingual issues. You can say Hah-vahd, but not like Emm...Ah....Teee... for MIT or ... you get the idea. Similarly, Stahn-fahd. It's really simple when you see it.</p>
<p>_jc: wow...I have to be scholarly now? Ok, I'll try...
it's not about the historical reference necessarily....it's about the poetry... "take flak" is cool because it turns the abstract concept of insults and criticism into a more concrete, visual image. It personifies the institutions, characterizing them as valiant soldiers being bombarded by flak. That characterization fits exactly with what the topic is about - Harvard and Stanford are fighting a battle against other people and universities.</p>
<p>your my hero lady in Red!</p>
<p>lol... I feel honored! :D</p>
<p>dang this sure is one interesting conversation :D</p>
<p>and i like the linguistic view: hah-vahd and stawn-fawd. teehee. tho i would imagine people going "haw-vahd" more because it's in the new England area.</p>
<p>"What about Princeton and its orange self? I don't see any schools directly in competition with the school? No long-term rivalries, etc.,"</p>
<p>Princeton gets hated on by Penn,
didn't you ever see the "FCUK PRINCETON" T-shirts on the Penn campus?</p>
<p>You don't talk about Stanford that much in New England? You don't know my friends at Taft. I'd say yes, ivies are more prestigious in New England because they're, well, there, but I don't think people are going, "Ew, Stanford, what's that?"</p>
<p>I'll never understand you people! There's this "which is better" battle and truthfully, doesn't matter. Oh, poor Stanford kids are gonna end up living on the street because they didn't choose Yale...</p>
<p>it's just in the spirit of good-natured rivalry lol</p>