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I've given myself until the end of this week to decide between applying early to Stanford or Yale... any final thoughts about why I should apply early to one over the other? I'm especially interested in reasons why Stanford might be the better school (I'm a potential math/science major... still trying to decide how much stronger Stanford really is at the undergrad level and how much that difference between the schools really matters) since I've talked to several Yale students. Thanks!

By Nngmm (Nngmm) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 11:10 pm: Edit

>> still trying to decide how much stronger Stanford really is at the undergrad level and how much that difference between the schools really matters

It probably does not. So consider other factors. Stanford probably will have more since/math oriented people (which can be better if you like to be surrounded by such, and worse if you don't). The weather is very different, so that can be a factor as well. Obviously, you can get great education at either one.

By Samueladams (Samueladams) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 02:27 pm: Edit

I'm at a stanford right now, and love the math and science courses I'm taking (math 51h and physics 51). My profs are all excellent, and I think the kids in the class are amazingly approachable, and while they are all quite nerdy I've never felt more at place than in these courses, surrounded by kids with the same interests. Give Stanford a shot, it's worth it.

By Leely888 (Leely888) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 07:32 pm: Edit

Where are you from and where is more probable?
Yale's undergrad's science programs are just as good too.
Well, if you are a big party person then do Stanford

By Marlgirl (Marlgirl) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 07:40 pm: Edit

Leely888, I'm from southern CA and Stanford is probably more probable (if only because of the math/science as a girl thing). I am NOT a big party person... I'm like an anti-big party person... does that mean that Yale might be a better place for me? Or does Stanford have a big enough population (especially among the math/science people perhaps?) that's not into partying that I'd be ok?

Samueladams, could you tell me a bit about life at Stanford? What are the students like in the math/science classes you've taken/are taking? How are the profs? How much opportunity do you have to get to know your profs? Do you feel at all lost because Stanford is a somewhat large college, or is there some sense of community/intimacy? How big is the party scene? Can one more or less avoid it (or at least not drink) without being totally out of the social scene? Thanks!

By Aim78 (Aim78) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 10:12 pm: Edit

The big question is what kind of atmosphere you prefer. Yale has more of a city feel and is cooler, if you're looking for the college experience. You're from California, so you already know that Stanford is awesome. Palo Alto is kind of boring, but San Francisco is nearby and you can't beat that. Yale is more of a name, but not by much, unless you want to be the next President. Check the Yale boards for more info, because here you're mostly going to see Stanford lovers. I'd choose Stanford, but that's because I prefer the social atmosphere.

By Marlgirl (Marlgirl) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 11:29 pm: Edit

What exactly do you prefer about the social atmosphere at Stanford? What is the social atmosphere at Stanford? At Yale?