Harvard or Stanford for Undergrad?

Question

Hi, I was admitted this last admissions cycle to Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Cambridge for undergrad. I want to stay in the US and study CS so it came down to Stanford vs Harvard. Stanford was a bit cheaper, has a slightly better CS program, and has a good location, so I ended up choosing Stanford, but it could have gone either way.Parents and people around me are questioning why I turned down Harvard for Stanford. Do you think I am missing out on anything by not taking Harvard? I feel a bit bad about missing out on the "old world prestige" that people keep referencing where I live; it seems Harvard has a lot more of that than Stanford. I am in the DMV area, by the way, if that matters (maybe that is why there is a bias for Harvard?).I know both are great, but I am having second thoughts, concerned that I could have made a better decision. Let me know what you think.

impendia · Accepted Answer

> Do you think I am missing out on anything by not taking Harvard?
Sure. Conversely, if you'd gone to Harvard, you would have missed out on all that Stanford has to offer. Sometimes you get multiple options and have to turn down all but one of them.
It sounds like these are your parents' friends or something -- do you care that much what they think?
Stanford is an absolutely fantastic university. You made a great choice (I would have said the same about any of the universities you mentioned). Try not to second guess yourself, which is easier said than done. Congratulations and good luck.

rajacombinator · Answer

You really can&rsquo;t go wrong between those options. Anyone who is questioning you must be nuts.

yuppie_scum · Answer

If you get accepted to Harvard, go to Harvard.