<p>Is Stanford more known for an atmosphere of cooperation or competition, compared to other top schools?</p>
<p>Definetly cooperation. There is some competition, but compared to HYP the students are incredible cooperative. That cooperation is one of the reasons I love Stanford and hope to attend next year. The students are incredible humble and balaned, and its not a “cut throat” atmosphere. I talked to one student and he said, At Stanford we are more concerned about solving the problem than who solves the problem".</p>
<p>in between. There are competition but also cooperation</p>
<p>There is both. For example, in CS (especially in more advanced classes) most assignments are group projects. On the other hand, the groups are competing with each other ;).</p>
<p>In my two years at Stanford, I have never experienced an atmosphere of “competition.” No joke.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that the intro chem classes feel competitive (mainly because the curves are harsh), but I know that everyone who takes them works with others on the problem sets / studying for exams. You wouldn’t be able to get through them without help (or at least, it’d be very difficult and/or you wouldn’t do very well).</p>