Harvard or Stanford

ThirstyMonkey
Sun, 01 May 2011 19:47:13 +0000

Going into the application process, Harvard was absolutely no doubt my #1, but I ended up getting wait-listed. Stanford was my #2/3 with Yale, and I got into Stanford but denied by Yale. I was pretty disappointed about not getting into Harvard because for the past year or two, it’s really the singular goal that I’ve been working towards. My brother went there seven years ago and so I have since had an attraction to the school.

Because I was wait-listed, I couldn’t attend Visitas, but I did go to Stanford’s Admit weekend in the past few days and I really enjoyed my time there. I walked onto the campus feeling like I was “settling” for Stanford in place of Harvard, but I quickly felt very comfortable. I met some people that I became fairly good friends with over the three days and I’m now eagerly looking forward to September when I’ll be able to see them again.

Since getting wait-listed by Harvard, all I could imagine was getting the phone call telling me that I had been accepted. A week ago, I fully expected myself to break down in tears if I got into Harvard, but I’m not so sure about that now. If I get in now, I’m sure I’ll still be excited, but the decision I have to make will be much more difficult than I anticipated.

I want to study Math, and I will go into college at either place expecting to major in it. I’m also interested in Computer Science and Physics, but I haven’t taken any CS classes and I’ve just taken AP Physics C. On the other hand, I’ve taken a Multi-variable class and a Linear Algebra class that were both very theoretical. I’ve gotten a good look at more advance math and I’m confident that I love it.

In terms of what I want to study, Harvard and Stanford have me split. I won’t be taking Math 55, but I think I could take Math 25 at Harvard. Their pure math program is generally accepted as being stronger than Stanford’s. (A professor at Stanford called Harvard’s math department a “powerhouse.”) However, Stanford has the best Computer Science program and an excellent Math/Computer Science joint program. (I think Harvard has a better Physics program, but I feel like that’s becoming less of an interest for me.) Stanford also has a significantly better engineering program than Harvard, and I am interested in that as well.

I feel like in more widespread terms, Stanford is a better fit academically, but Harvard is better in the subject that I am absolutely going to study and am most interested in, math. Harvard is better in a more focused view. However, four-years is a long time, and I would not be surprised if I fell in love with those other subjects and ended up doing a joint major with Math, or a double major (which you can’t do at Harvard I believe), or a Math minor. These are subtleties that will reveal themselves further down the line, long after I’ve made this decision.

Looking at the other aspects of the school’s, I’m not really sure which one has an edge. I really like Harvard’s more urban campus and the housing system. I liked Stanford’s campus (how could you not?) but I think I’d prefer Harvard’s environment. The weather actually favors Harvard in my mind; I’m a Wisconsonite through and through and I love the cold, and really dislike heat. However, I’m also coming to realize that much of Harvard’s appeal to me was my familiarity with the school as a result of my brother, and Harvard’s prestige. The first issue will be moot after a few weeks on campus and the second issue makes me feel guiltily arrogant. I think if I were to get in, the ego-boost would take away some of the appeal. I think that, knowing that I eventually got into Harvard, and that I could have gone there if I wanted, I will be much more comfortable choosing to go to Stanford. But I won’t really know what feelings will bubble up if I get accepted until it happens.

I’d love if some people could give their opinions on my situation, especially if they were in a similar situation. Of course, if I don’t get in off the wait-list (which is likely), none of this will be an issue. (I think I’d breathe a sigh of relief knowing that I wouldn’t have to make such a tough decision.)

I have posted this on both the Harvard and Stanford forums.