What is the difference between Stanford and Harvard University?

I want to know which university to aim for when i go.

What is the difference between Stanford and Harvard University?
Sounds like a lot of posters have connections to one of the schools or has preconceived notions on them. I didn't go to either but from a unbiased perspective here are my thought. Besides the obvious distance between the two, both schools are top tier universities and are very selective with admissions. Depending on what you plan on studying one school might have a stronger program than the other, US News and World Reports does an annual ranking of schools by course of study, and it can provide some insights into the individual majors. A lot of people on here have commented that Harvard isn't worth it or that not everyone that goes to Harvard is that smart, blah, blah, blah. Harvard University has one of the strongest alumni networks in the world, and networking with those alumni offers students there opportunities other schools can only dream of. Depending on what you plan on studying it can help you in you career as well. I work in finance and in my industry its much harder to even be considered for some of the more prestigious jobs (research analysts, hedge funds, etc.) without the name Harvard or Wharton, or Stanford, etc.. on your resume, no matter how great your experience is. Why, alumni! Alumni from those schools have a proven track record of success, and employers will look for potential candidates that share traits with existing outperforming employees. Let's face it, both schools offer a quality education, and yes, there are other smaller schools, less well known schools that offer the same quality, but no other schools offer the opportunity that Harvard %26amp; Stanford do. Opportunity is the name of the game when it comes to competing for a job. I would lean towards Harvard more than Stanford if just because of the alumni factor. While other people can debate about the merits of going to an ivy league school, what can't be debated is the opportunity the school creates for you.
Reply:The difference is thousands of miles!





If you want to go to a prestigious university, you need to have more of a reason than simply because you have heard the names before.





Both of these are very expensive, and very, very, very selective. You should have a good reason for choosing them, and it MUST be a reason that matches your goals in life.





I'm not sure how old you are, but if you are younger than 18, your high school counselors have lots of information about these and other colleges. If they feel these match your goals, you could not do badly at either of them - they are both among the top universities in our country and in the world.





Just make sure they're right for you.
Reply:One is in California, the other is in Cambridge near Boston.
Reply:1. Weather.





It snows in Massachusetts. It's hot in California. Aside from that nothing much. Both very expensive and I know harvard is overrated. And no I was not one of the people that got rejected from harvard.





2. Actual engineering


Standford does actual engineering. Harvard does more engineering science.


But seriously.... students at Harvard are not all that bright but if you want to get a job to anything anywhere with no focus, get a Harvard degree.
Reply:Stanford is more for women and Harvard is more for wealthy rich kids or geniuses.
Reply:it's 2 different college at 2 different places.
Reply:Well, it really depends. maybe you should take a look at the websites and decide what the best for you is. i really suggest Harvard.
Reply:3000 miles.
Reply:Stanford is way better and the students are not full of themselves like Harvard students are.
Reply:id rather to go stanford...seems like a nicer location and not as prestigious, seems like a more fun environment and better sports teams
Reply:Harvard is a diploma factory....I'm not sure about Stanford, but there are some harvard graduates, they're not that smart.





Besides, just because you graduate from an ivy league school, doesn't mean you get an ivy league education. Go to a smaller college that cares more about the students, than the student's money.