Harvard or Stanford or MIT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is having a hard time deciding where to go. Not set on a major. Likes CS, Physics, mathematics but also has a creative side and enjoys art. Likes many aspects about Princeton, Yale, Brown and Duke. But I think it will come down to Harvard, Stanford and MIT. We feel very fortunate he has many great choices. It was an unexpected result. Would appreciate any advice, thoughts, experiences. Thank you.

I would pick the cheapest as you can't go wrong with any of these schools. However, this many top acceptances say you are getting full financial aid. In that case, go with Stanford. Good weather, scenic state, liberal vibe, relax environment, great for CS, math and physics. Internships and jobs in abundance. Easy access to SF, LA, SD etc.

[Anonymous]

Kid will get brand prestige no matter if they choose Stanford, Harvard or MIT. Those are the cream of the crop. But if your kid is looking to have the most fun or more balanced experience, probably Stanford or Harvard. Way less intense academically than MIT.

[Anonymous]

Its only a dilemma when you are full pay and need to pick according to affordability. If its all free then who cares, gi where you feel like going. It's a free lunch.

[Anonymous]

troll

[Anonymous]

Sure... I will play. I would pick Stanford for the balance of truly smart kids who are not total nerds. I do not like the vibes at Harvard, it is politically divided and socioeconomically divided in a way that is not healthy. MIT is only for smart/brilliant kids, which is great, but they are nerds with no social skills... if that is your vibe, go there and you'll be in LARPING heaven. Stanford also seems to have a majority of truly smart kids who have some semblance of social skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure... I will play. I would pick Stanford for the balance of truly smart kids who are not total nerds. I do not like the vibes at Harvard, it is politically divided and socioeconomically divided in a way that is not healthy. MIT is only for smart/brilliant kids, which is great, but they are nerds with no social skills... if that is your vibe, go there and you'll be in LARPING heaven. Stanford also seems to have a majority of truly smart kids who have some semblance of social skills.

Have you been to MIT recently? That's an outdated stereotype for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People will come up with all kinds of reasons to say otherwise, but Harvard is superlative in virtually every course of study and opens the greatest number of doors. I’d only say otherwise if they want to go into engineering.

No I agree and I’m an MIT grad. If more of a generalist and not passionate about engineering, should default to H for the name brand.

At MIT, were most of the classes taught by professors or grad students? I'm hearing that at Harvard, many classes are not taught by profs.

At MIT, all of the classes are taught by professors. Many of the recitations are led by professors, too.

Some classes at Harvard are taught by graduate students. Intro calc is one of them (my neighbor's son has taught it twice over the past couple of years).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sure... I will play. I would pick Stanford for the balance of truly smart kids who are not total nerds. I do not like the vibes at Harvard, it is politically divided and socioeconomically divided in a way that is not healthy. MIT is only for smart/brilliant kids, which is great, but they are nerds with no social skills... if that is your vibe, go there and you'll be in LARPING heaven. Stanford also seems to have a majority of truly smart kids who have some semblance of social skills.

Have you been to MIT recently? That's an outdated stereotype for sure.

Yes. A sibling attended just before COVID, so it’s slightly dated but not decades old.