<p>Well, if it is merely prestige, on what terms is it measured? By admission stats? If so, Columbia and Stanford’s admission stats are not radically different. By those damnable rankings? If so, according to one widely used ranking for national and worldwide reputation – US News & World Reports national and international universities – Columbia BEATS Stanford on both the national and international scales. If those are measures of prestige, Columbia and Stanford are on the same level. Otherwise, this is just snide nonsense, as you know the OP should choose a school based upon fit. At this level of the game, all things are “relatively” equal. You are no dummy. You know this.</p>