the66afghans

You don't prove your point by focusing on one piece of evidence while disregarding the other; the evidence shows Harvard students are unhappy. Should I bring up a report from the Harvard Crimson that follows up on the Boston Globe report?

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=515067

No I'm not; learn how to read. And don't kid yourself, prestige is by far the number one factor in many students' college decisions. I'm saying at this level of prestige, the benefits of choosing Harvard over Stanford are minute, and that happiness and quality of life should be the deciding factor at this level. Stanford students are undoubtedly happier than Harvard students, thus why I believe Stanford is the right choice. You lose nothing by choosing Stanford over Harvard other than the "what if...?" factor due to some mysterious aura of prestige. Of course, there are many who want prestige over quality of life, and thus will choose Harvard.

Please name these "dozens of other factors".

Nice job focusing on the Princeton Review statistics while conveniently sidestepping the other evidence.

Harvard ranks near the bottom in quality of life according to the Boston Globe report, so regardless of your perceived legitimacy of the Princeton Review, the Boston Globe's report remains, as does the Crimson's follow-up report.

Ad hominem arguments will get you nowhere. I'm not a senior and did not even apply to Harvard.

Anyway, it all boils down to your impressions upon visiting.

undisclosed

I "focused on" the only argument I cared to directly refute. The wonders of quoting.
Your overall point of "really, the people who choose Harvard go only for the name" was still extensively addressed.

Thanks for keeping me grounded.

Really?? So hats why we've been getting 'School A vs School B' threads like this one for the past week with students weighing in all the factors being making a decision. Because in the end it all comes down to a ranking for them- they're just killing time here...finally an explanation. Baseless assumptions based on stereotypes.

Learn to search. If you'll notice you're on a college board with both a Stanford and Harvard forum. These forums have well over a hundred threads each ranging from program offerings, professors, campus settings, resources available, areas of interests, student bodies, geographical locations, etc....But why bother with facts when sweeping generalizations are so much powerful, correct?

Thats just precious. Let's continue....
That whooshing sound you just heard was you narrowly missing the point. I was talking about all instances of defining 'student happiness' by statistics. (I have nothing against the Princeton Review in particular). Surveys are meant to give broad overviews of general tendencies. First of all to survey something as undefined as 'happiness' is not as cut and dry as say, 'which school has the highest students to bathroom ratio'.

Furthermore the extent to which you are applying this nominal ranking ('See! School A's happiness is higher than school D. You will be happy at A and unhappy at D! Its statistically undeniable' Akzeptieren Narren!) is where the 'profoundly stupid' kicks in and a reverse of ad populum in itself, defining individual opinion by mass tendencies. (logical fallacies are just gosh darn fun, aren't they? )

Doesn't mean they're not fun.

With that said, i think the conclusion we've both reached here is that a visit to the schools is the best tiebreaker possible so with that I say cheers to this thread because I have a doozie of a twosie on the way.

Cheers Y'all!

Gabs91

I personally really like Stanford but it's all up to you. Congrats on your acceptances! That is amazing!

MetFan2289

Go to Harvard, cause it is known around the world!!!!!! Even little kids in undeveloped countries have heard of Harvard.

So...when you use your abilities to further ECONOMICALLY enslave children in the third world, they will know that it was a Harvard graduate that did it.

: )

DerrickA

Thanks for the comments so far everyone, I'm still struggling, but a decision is starting to foment here. Please don't let this desperate plea from a college hopeful degenerate into an imbroglio of sniping and stat wars =( I just want to be educated and happy.

lillyambers

so metfan is a white slave owner? that wasn't even funny

gqunit

let's stop bashing on each other

1. Academics - Equal, in that Harvard humanities > Stanford humanities, and Stanford tech > Harvard tech. But as an undergraduate you can't go wrong with Harvard tech or Stanford hum. Stanford's hum are right behind Harvard's (in rankings, at least) and harvard students can take classes at MIT. Also, I have never taken a class taught by a TA, grad student, or a "lecturer." I am sure it's the same case for harvard. Plenty of research opportunities for both, etc. etc. etc.
2. Global prestige - Harvard. Of course, its up to you to decide whether this is a factor.
3. Athletics - Stanford. Yes, Stanford gives out Athletic scholarships, leading to more athletes, possibly compromising overall intellectual integrity of student body. But these athletes add to the diversity of the university, and Harvard doesn't win directors cup for 12 years in a row for having the best sports program in the nation. Stanford athletes are far from dumb, are fun to hang out with.
4. OVERALL atmosphere, quality of life, weather - Stanford.
5. City life - Harvard

most importantly, it's up to YOU to decide which of these factors will influence your choice.

freshnup

I noticed Harvard doesn't even have a spot on this board. How elitist is that?
I think the winter in Cali. would beat the winter in Mass. unless you just enjoy cold weather.

logical

This year Harvard and Stanford's admit weekends are the same, so even if I could go (I can't) I couldn't go to both.

But I did go to MIT's CPW and then slipped over to Harvard. I concluded that Harvard is better as a grad school and not so great for undergrads, and most students did just seem interested in the name. I think I'm choosing between Stanford and MIT.

Sci-Fry

Lol, there's only 1 place where you'll find people saying "Dammit! I got into Stanford! This was my SECOND choice! I HATE life!!"

mercruz

Stanford of the East-that's all I've go to say.

mia305

If you want to know which way others have gone, see

The New York Times > Week in Review > Image > Collegiate Matchups: Predicting Student Choices

Ailey

speaking as a mom with one daughter at Harvard and the other who has just accepted a spot at Stanford, I think the advice to attend the admit weekends and then decide is right on. Choose what feels right for you, using the criteria that are important to you. There's little point debating it here - everyone has their own value system and priorities, so visit if you can and then decide accordingly.

FresnoMom

Ailey

Did your family go to Admit Weekend? Wasn't it wonderful? My son just decided on Stanford, too! :-)

gladmom

FresnoMom: Congrats on your son's decision to go to Stanford! Sounds like you enjoyed admit weekend and it helped your son with his choice. Wish we could have gone too, but my son had made his Stanford decision already, and we are planning a summer trip to backpack in the Sierras and visit my H's family in California. We'll be going to the campus while we are there, I am sure! We need to figure out banking and what to do about the cell phone issue. I am sure our sons will have an incredible time at Stanford.