<p>I'm choosing between Yale & Stanford, with academic interests in international relations/studies, linguistics or history. I've visited both. Oh, and I'm from Southern California, which is a big issue for me because I kind of want to do a new thing, have a new experience for college.</p>
<p>I absolutely LOVED Yale when I visited- the whole residential college system, the people I met, the campus and the whole culture of the school. I was impressed by Stanford, but to a much lesser degree- I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that it's a very Californian school and it almost felt too comfortable and close-to-home for me. It's almost like I wouldn't mind giving up Stanford to go to Yale, but I would feel a bit sad to give up Yale to go to Stanford.</p>
<p>The thing is, for my first two interests (history aside, because it seems like both schools have really strong programs in that area) I get the impression that Stanford is stronger. (If anyone has opinions to the contrary, please speak up!)</p>
<p>So it kind of boils down to...how much should I let academic strengths vs. pure love of the campus/school affect my decision?</p>
<p>I'm from Southern California as well, and I think it's important to say that Stanford is a world away from SoCal, both in terms of lifestyle and distance. We joke a lot about how NorCal is a separate state, but it's mostly true--it's very different up here. I only go home during the major breaks. </p>
<p>You should make a holistic decision--incorporating both academics and other factors. IR is a very strong program here at Stanford, and more students study ab road here than almost any other school.</p>
<p>I agree that NorCal is very different from SoCal, so it will allow you to experience a different lifestyle/culture/etc. </p>
<p>The difference (if any) that you would notice as an undergraduate in the strengths of those departments is probably trivial. You might change your mind about what you want to major in anyway. If you loved Yale, then I would consider going there. I think the two schools are actually fairly similar. I love Stanford. If you come here I sincerely doubt you'd ever regret the decision. That said, it is probably also unlikely that you'd regret going to Yale. </p>
<p>As much as I love it here, it seems that you're looking for more reasons to choose Yale over Stanford, so if that's where your heart is you should probably go with Yale.</p>
<p>I agree that you should probably choose Yale if you really liked it compared to Stanford. Once you reach a certain level university, the differences between mainstream departments are negligible.</p>
<p>At the undergraduate level, Yale has stronger departments in those areas. Overall, Yale also has the top language departments in the country. Yale IR is a smaller program but it is linked in with many other departments and schools across the university, so be careful if you're trying to get a sense of what it offers until you consider all of that.</p>
<p>Also, although Stanford has a good history department, Yale has the #1 department in the world in history (even better than Oxford). It's really unfair to compare Stanford to Yale in history, because Yale is so much more well regarded in that area.</p>
<p>"Yale has the #1 department in the world in history...It's really unfair to compare Stanford to Yale in history, because Yale is so much more well regarded in that area."
I don't think that's true at all--with professors like Jack Rackove, Mark Mancall and David Kennedy, it's hard to say that Yale is really better.</p>
<p>Was Yale's Admit Weekend (or whatever it's called there) the deciding factor for you? I ask because I thought Stanford's AW was absolutely incredible and that had you come, you might have different ideas at this point. I just gathered that AW was the difference for many when deciding on a college, especially at Stanford. Stanford is very different for me, so I understand how you feel about the issue geographically (about wanting to get away from home and such).</p>
<p>The sad truth is that it's very likely that this decision will be made for you if you get accepted into one, and not the other (if at all...). So don't sweat it too much now. Apply to both, and see what happens. It sounds like your heart is set on Yale - so apply SCEA there.</p>
<p>I'm a huge Stanford fan, but I believe that, in general, people should go to the campus they love. A degree from Yale is as impressive as a degree from Stanford, and you'll likely have a better expereince at Yale.</p>
<p>I, on the other hand, will likely have a better experience at Stanford.</p>
<p>O yea? Call your 2 friends to see if they are wailing in the dark. If you ask me, i would say " they respectively have made huge mistakes in their lives". Yale is an old school which sits on their tradition, just be content with its status quo. Quite Contrary, though Harvard is oldas Yale, H is contantly forward looking, investing huge resources in 21st century- new technology, just like Stanford :rolleyes:</p>
<p>In conclusion, with few exceptions here and there, Stanford is a better school than Yale in both undergraduate and graduate schools</p>
<p>Manfredman. I'm a Stanford student and would love to agree with your assessment, but I can say from my experiences at Yale and those of my friends who attend: it's just not true. I'll get into this more later</p>
<p>Gee i have to say, both are great although Yale does rank a little higher :)
In fact, i live right next to yale. I'm a highschool student but i live in Yale property and it's GREAT. They have busses and all (i'm sure you know about this) but in general i think Yale is famous for all subjects, while stanford is excellent at literature and so forth. But really, ask yourself what YOU want. =0)</p>