<p>I think I have a decent shot at both of them, but that is beside the point. I need to decide which one I have a BETTER shot at. Consider the following plz:</p>
<li>I have a legacy at Yale (mom went there and ended up working there, dad went there).</li>
<li>I did a lot of community service at Yale (I’m one of the volunteer leaders at Yale hospital)- ~300 hours</li>
<li>I’ve taken courses at Yale, and helped organize events.</li>
<li>I conducted research at the labs at Yale, but I’m really not well acquainted with anyone there.</li>
</ol>
<p>Now, my parents want me to go to Yale, BUT, I’m really not fond of moving 10 minutes away when I’m 18 and going to a campus I really don’t like. I want to experience the world a bit more. However, I think that all my stuff that I’ve done for Yale (posted above) will help me out more than the stuff I’ve done with Stanford:</p>
<li>Took summer courses at Stanford.</li>
<li>My scientific mentor went to Stanford, and I did some of my research with him when I was there during those summers (most of our stuff was over the internet, just him helping me out), and I’m VERY well acquainted with a lot of the professors there.</li>
<li>My uncle went to Stanford…dont think it’ll help at all, but just thought I’d tell you guys. Probably wont put it on my application, lol.</li>
</ol>
<p>Yeah, like I really love Stanford’s campus and it seems like a fun place to be around. Plus FAR from my parents…I’m so looking forward to that.</p>
<p>So I dunno…your input? Which one should I ultimately end up applying to EA?</p>
<p>It sounds like you want to go to Stanford a lot more than you want to go to Yale. In fact it doesn't sound like you want to go to Yale at all, so why apply there in the first place?</p>
<p>definitely yale, it's probably a better school although not by much (Ivy>non ivy) plus it sounds like you'd pretty much be guaranteed admission.</p>
<p>Well, its not that I dont want to go- if I got in, I'd be pretty damn happy. BUT, its just not my first choice, ya know? Plus, my parents and my teachers/GC want me to go there too. In addition to all that, a lot of my friends are going to state colleges around here, and I'm in a pretty serious band right now, and if I move to CA, then it'd mean I have to quit.</p>
<p>DukeBlueDevils, your first post is bogus. Ivy means nothing because there are so many other schools that have just as good a reputation as other Ivy League schools, if not better, and Stanford is just one of those schools. I used to go by the rankings, but through my time here, I learned that it's more about picking which schools are right for you rather than picking the "best" schools based on rankings. However, I'm not going to say that your own academic prowess won't determine which range of schools you'll look at. I'm looking at top schools, but that's because I like those particular schools. It's not because they are Ivy. Hell, if I Ivy really meant much to me, I'd apply to all 8, even though I truly like only 3 of them and am iffy about one. Don't be afraid to pick that school no one has ever heard of.</p>
<p>definitely yale, it's probably a better school although not by much (Ivy>non ivy) plus it sounds like you'd pretty much be guaranteed admission.</p>
<p>^ people who have that mentality should not be allowed to post on college confidential.</p>
<p>That being said, Stanford is an excellent university and in no way comparable to Yale. If that is where you want to go, I suggest Early Action. Believe me when I say, do NOT apply for a college that you dont want to attend. It's a waste of your time and money trying to please other people's expectations.</p>
<p>
[quote]
definitely yale, it's probably a better school although not by much (Ivy>non ivy) plus it sounds like you'd pretty much be guaranteed admission.
[/quote]
what utter nonsense... Looks like you haven't been on CC for long... He should be applying to colleges that he loves, not colleges that have a higher ranking on whatever magazine</p>
<p>
[quote]
I need to decide which one I have a BETTER shot at.
[/quote]
Stanford received more SCEA applicants (4644) last year than Harvard SCEA (4008), Yale SCEA (3594), and Princeton ED (2276). Although Stanford and Yale will both have more applicants this year, my guess is that Stanford SCEA will remain more selective than Yale SCEA. </p>
<p>Legacies are expected to apply early if they want the advantage. By applying RD to Yale, you'd forfeit that advantage.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks everyone. So like..if I get into Yale SCEA, then do I HAVE to choose Yale? Or do I have time to think about other colleges/apply?</p>
<p>It so happens I have been at both Yale and Stanford for good lengths of time and know both fairly well. Both are excellent (as you know) but both are also <em>very</em> different in character. Based on your situation, it would seem you have a better chance at Yale but since you say you have a 'decent shot' at Stanford, I would suggest you try for Stanford. Why? Read your own post again- your own arguments are compelling. Yale is just too close to home..go west, young man/woman. </p>
<p>BTW- could you elaborate what kind of 'science' you are interested in?</p>
<p>By applying to Stanford SCEA wouldn't necessary give you an advantage over RD. But by applying to Yale would give you an advantage over other applicants. ED/EA is for legacies, URM and atheletes, and you are not any of that for Stanford. I would apply to Yale EA and apply to Stanford RD, then decide which school by May 1.</p>
<p>If you prefer Stanford and believe you have a decent shot, apply early there. Don't listen to what others say, do what you want. It's your life, after all. Applying early in one place means it's your top choice, not your parents'.</p>
<p>Oldfort is right. You pretty much squander the legacy advantage if you don't apply early. My daughter was in a similar situation. She applied SCEA to Harvard (where she was a legacy) and regular to Stanford (no connection) She got into both and is now starting at Stanford, and happy about her choice. Having the early acceptance to Harvard made her senior year a lot more relaxed.</p>
<p>wow people why are you so quick to judge? i'll admit my post was stupid but that's how i intended it to be. my friend really wants to go to stanford and i'm just trying to help eliminate some of the competition. personally i think that stanford is an excellent university and i know that you obviously can't decide which university is better soley based on rankings or ivy status. i'm sorry for coming off sounding ignorant but now you know why.</p>
<p>Wow. I had the same question, actually, but it seems like you have tons of connections - and have been involved in Manhattan Project- like research on the side. I'm starting to hate what this web site does for my self-esteem :-p</p>
<p>All half-joking aside, I too am wondering: Yale? Stanford? Or neither?</p>
<p>Pros for each choice:
1) Stanford: Better locale (farther from home, warmer); better atmosphere (from what I gather; more liberal and fun-loving, sort of... some of you will know what I mean, I think)
2) Yale: Smaller. Really, that's the only thing I'm worried about... that Stanford just has SO many students! I'm not sure I could be happy in a college as big as the town I currently live in, especially with so many grads.
3) Neither: I could early apply to UChicago and Georgetown, and not have to choose so early; on the other hand, I don't think my chances would increase much at Georgetown (besides the benefit of two shots on goal), and I think I could reasonably get into UChicago without the EA boost.
ALSO, I wouldn't have to finish my common app so early! (You can only submit the Common App once, right? I'd rather not do a shoddy job on it...)</p>
<p>If you're interested in Humanities - Yale.
If you're interested in Science - Stanford.</p>
<p>If you see yourself as a future college professor - Yale.
If you see yourself as a future scientific company startup CEO - Stanford.</p>
<p>Plus, I strongly encourage everyone to live in a different part of the country for a while - it can be more educationally eye-opening than you might think.</p>
<p>If I were in your shoes, it'd be Stanford all the way.</p>