I’m currently at Stanford’s admit weekend and just got back from Yale’s. I felt so at home at Yale and made a solid group of friends. Everyone was so so friendly. At Stanford people were more self assured, and I felt a bit intimidated whereas at Yale this feeling did not exist. I know Stanford is the place to be for tech, but I plan on going into consulting after graduation anyways. Brand wise is Stanford a much bigger wow factor than Yale, and will it open up more opportunities? I’m so conflicted right now! I’m gonna major in CS because I’m interested in it but I’m not that good at the skill — competing with the kids at Stanford kinda scares me and I want to have some what of a laid back college experience. FA at both schools is the same. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
For CS, Stanford is the place. All thing considered, you’re in Silicon Valley and the internships are going to be there. And Stanford has the higher ranking in CS than Yale.
I wouldn’t think that any Ivy would be a particularly laid back place. Also the infamous grade inflation at Stanford might mean you have a higher GPA at graduation.
Stanford for CS is a no brainer.
That said, do you plan on living on the EC or WC after graduation?
CS is obviously one of Stanford’s strong suits, but it is strong in just about every other subject areas as well area – STEM, humanities, the arts, etc.
That said, if Yale resonates with you more, it’s a great school and you can’t go wrong in choosing it, but be aware that its CS program is nowhere at the same level as Stanford’s.
The OP wants to go into consulting, so the internships he/she wants are more likely to be located in New York and Boston, not in Silicon Valley. For consulting, either Stanford or Yale would be equally fine choices. I went to Stanford myself, and I don’t think that Stanford has a bigger “wow factor” than Yale, whatever that means. Computer Science is the most popular major at Stanford, but I’m not sure that it is the best major for consulting. In any case, you will want to do well, and sometimes that means finding an environment where you feel at home. Best of luck in making your decision!
In your case, Yale seems to be the better choice based on the info. shared in your post.
Care to weigh in @IxnayBob
You got into two excellent schools - that is no fluke, so I would take away the intimidation factor at one or the other - both schools obviously think you are capable by admitting you. You just have to believe that yourself. It will come with time and hard work which will be required at either school. Opportunities will open up from either school - this isn’t apples to oranges, it is red delicious to golden delicious - all apples, both are fantastic. Do you want to work on east or west coast when done? Are your career plans 100% set? Who knows what you will really do in four years, nothing is set in stone - you may want to change or add majors - college is about self exploration. Meaning, it is hard to measure a school as better for this or that, when this or could change over these four years. So look at it in a bigger picture sense, where will you grow the most and feel comfortable doing so, and be given the flexibility to do so? Either school can challenge you, go with your gut here and don’t over analyze - where do you think you will blossom and be your best? Flash forward four years, where do you want to say your graduated from?
From your post it seems you think everyone thinks Stanford is the choice except you. But you are the most important here. No one needs to apologize because they picked Yale over Stanford and vice versa. No one can tell you if you had “that moment” at a school that made you like it better. That is all on you. Good luck, great problem to have!
Nobody’s going to look down their nose at a CS degree from Yale. If you feel more comfortable there than at Stanford, go to Yale.
Go where you feel comfortable. Even though Stanford is mecca for CS, I wouldn’t go there if the culture doesn’t feel right. Some oft-cited (but not so often I can remember the figure) large percentage of kids change majors. In your case, I wouldn’t pick a school only for one specific program because there’s decent chance you may wind up majoring in something else. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Palo Alto for four years or new haven. Both schools are equally great
Stanford has arguably the best CS dept in the country…
however if you feel more comfortable at Yale you should probably go there. plus I get the feeling you’re not set on CS from your post.
fyi… the most popular major for women at Stanford is CS
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-women-technology-stanford-idUSKCN0S32F020151009
@Faulkner1897 , of course I want to weigh in, I will quote myself:
That’s a simplistic recommendation, but it’s usually my recommendation. OP, your desire to go into consulting after graduation throws a curve ball, but that’s a long way away. I’m not sure how the big time consulting firms regard Yale vs Stanford; most likely either rates. DS didn’t have an idea what he wanted to do with his degree when he entered Yale, and he changed his intentions more than once.
I would not discount your gut feeling about Yale. It IS a happy, collaborative, friendly campus.
As for opportunities at Yale vs Stanford, my son has had nothing but opportunities at Yale, for internships, research, TAing, picking up a Masters while he was there, etc. While he is a hard worker, he’d still characterize the vibe as laid back. He’d probably have done fine at Stanford also, but he used the smaller department at Yale to his advantage. He is very happy with his choice of Yale.
i wouldn’t recommend Yale for CS… mathy or code monkey…it’s simply not on the level of Stanford, MIT, Berkeley period.
The OP however doesn’t seem set on CS and feels more comfortable at Yale and in this case she should go with her gut.
Actually, the most rigorous and intense undergraduate program in computer science is the one at Carnegie Mellon
CMU may just have strict entry requirements for CS, like the mathematical concepts class to weed out the wannabes.
Go to Yale. I say this as a Parent of a Kid about to attend Stanford. Any minute difference in the program’s quality should be outweighed by where you would be happier.
@gunnerGirl Stanford students are not “gunners”. They are humble and they help each other.
If this were graduate school, I’d say Stanford. But for undergrad go where you feel more comfortable. All roads are open to you from either place.
You can’t go wrong, go with your gut.