Yale vs. Stanford (vs. UMich)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>Okay, so even though this has been done like 1000 times, I need help deciding. A week ago, I didn't think I would get into ONE of these schools, let alone TWO of them. So, I'm mainly a math/science oriented guy and I've been accepted to Stanford and Yale. I'm undecided about what I want to do in the future, but it's either going to be in technology or Wall Street. Obviously, Stanford is the easy choice for technology jobs in the Valley. But what I don't know is how Stanford's network and reputation is in the Street. So my main question is: are Stanford alumni well represented in Wall Street? Anywhere comparable to Yale alumni? If the answer to this question is "yes," then my choice will probably be Stanford. But if the answer is "no," then what do I do? Is it worth passing up a Stanford engineering degree just for the network that Yale has on Wall Street?</p>

<p>Of course, there are many other factors that need to be taken in to consideration:
1. Stanford has an actual football team that people go and watch.
2. Yale has the "Ivy League" brand attached to it.
3. Yale seems to have a more close-knit community.
4. Stanford has the weather, the beauty.
5. Yale has the architecture.
6. Yale has the residential college system.
7. Other things that I don't remember.</p>

<p>I also was admitted to UMich's pre-admit program at the Ross School of Business. I'm in-state for Michigan, so the cost of attendance is much lower. Also, since a lot of my AP credits transfer, I could probably do the dual degree program and get both a degree in electrical engineering and a Ross BBA. Would this be an option to consider over Yale and Stanford?</p>

2

<p>Both are nearly identical in job placement with the edge going to Stanford actually. It sounds like you socially prefer Yale though but the practical side of you is screaming Stanford. I would visit to decide. Unless you got the Shipman, UMich shouldn’t even be a consideration here.</p>

3

<p>Where are you from? My son, who is a very happy freshman at Yale, started lamenting in December that he should have applied to Stanford – just for the weather! (And this was a mild winter.)</p>

4

<p>I’m from Southeast Michigan, so while the Stanford weather is obviously better, it is not that big of a factor because I’m accustomed to cold weather. In fact, the New England winter might even be a bit nicer.</p>

5

<p>Have you looked through the academic programs at both schools? Which school, academically, seems like a better fit?
[Academic</a> programs | Departments and programs | Yale](<a href=“http://www.yale.edu/departments/index.html]Academic”>Departments & Programs | Yale University)
[Stanford</a> Departmentals](<a href=“http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/57b9d8ed#/57b9d8ed/1]Stanford”>http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/57b9d8ed#/57b9d8ed/1)</p>

6

<p>They are both strong in many areas and academically rigorous. In Stanford, I can study engineering or computer science and at Yale I can study economics or mathematics. I am not particularly concerned with academic quality, since both are top-notch in that aspect. I am more concerned with reputation in different parts of the country (mainly Wall Street) and the strengths of the alumni networks.</p>

7

<p>“I am more concerned with reputation in different parts of the country (mainly Wall Street) and the strengths of the alumni networks.”</p>

<p>^^^So you’re a PRESTIGE WHORE?</p>

<p>Companies will not hire you because you chose S over Y or vice versa. For your reference, I worked for Goldman, and students are from all over the place… Williams, Brown, Swarthmore, Berkeley, etc. No company gives a s**t whether you went to Yale instead of Stanford for undergrad or vice versa! You get into Wall Street by going to one of the top schools (e.g. any of the Ivies) and then being a superstar… Wall Street recruiting is based more on interest and excellence rather than where you went to school.</p>

8

<p>My $.02: Concentrate on WHAT you want to study during your four years at college, rather than on what you want to do when you graduate. What would make you happier: engineering/computer science OR economics/mathematics?</p>

<p>In the world of “We are the 99%!”, working on Wall Street is not what it once was – at least in terms of college recruiting. See: [At</a> Top Colleges, Anti-Wall St. Fervor Complicates Recruiting - NYTimes.com](<a href=“http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/11/28/at-top-colleges-anti-wall-st-fervor-complicates-recruiting/]At”>At Top Colleges, Anti-Wall St. Fervor Complicates Recruiting - The New York Times) and <a href=“http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/11/09/another-view-the-science-and-strategy-of-college-recruiting/[/url]”>http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/11/09/another-view-the-science-and-strategy-of-college-recruiting/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

9

<p>the scary thing about Stanford is that it is just as good in economics/mathematics than at engineering/computer science…particularly compared to Yale…</p>

10

<p>Hope you chose Stanford!</p>

11

<p>if i were u then definitely i would have chosen stanford …bt its up to what u want so best of luck :)</p>

12

<p>UMich all the way~~~~</p>

<p>(i am surprised you put umich there)</p>

13

<p>Both Yale and Stanford are extremely strong brands. Having any one of them on your resume will attract ‘extra’ attention from the potential employers. If you purely base your decision on the ‘employ ability’ factor, then Ross will be equally good. Now, to pass on the ‘brand pull’ of Yale or Stanford is a difficult call. The best could be, Yale undergrad with Stanford Grad, and then your 'entry ticket for the big league is assured. However, once you are in, no one would bother to even ask about your school name!</p>

14

<p>The reply date has long passed and the OP has already chosen, folks. Get back in your cars and drive away.</p>

15

<p>OP has not posted on CC since they started this thread. So I’m going to declare this an unsolved case and close it.</p>