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Ask HN: Harvard or Stanford undergrad for Computer Science?

2 points by got2surf ↗ HN
I know there're a few threads about this (here and on other sites) but I wanted to get your specific advice. I'm mainly choosing between Harvard and Stanford for an undergrad program. I'd major in computer science, but maybe take courses in quantitative economics, cognitive psychology, pure math, etc.

I know Stanford being close to SV is a huge plus - but I'm not sure how much that matters as an undergrad. I have a startup idea I've been researching for the past 4 years, but it's nowhere near VC stage anyway.

I also know Stanford's computer science department is stronger - but I'm not looking to be a highly technical person. I can't see myself (or most other undergrads) "running out" of CS courses at Harvard, and if I do, I guess I'd be able to supplement them with MIT courses.

And then on the other hand, most of the top kids I know from top science competitions (like Science Talent Search) are heading to Harvard. I feel like I'd learn a ton from being around those types of people (especially those who aren't interested in comp sci), which is a plus on the Harvard side.

So Stanford has stronger CS, better weather, better ties for tech entrepreneurship, but Harvard has a more diverse education, several top science competition students, and better financial aid. Any advice?

11 comments

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michaelkscott
Looks like you just answered your own question.

Do you prefer stronger CS, better weather, and better tech ties or diverse education and non-CS science fields?

I'd say Stanford is much better for CS than Harvard though, right after MIT.

got2surf
Thanks for your help - it's definitely a tough question to answer. While I love CS and I'm sure I'll do something CS-related, I'm concerned that tech firms will look down on a Harvard CS degree as compared to a Stanford CS degree.

I already have strong research and a few good publications in CS-related fields, so I'm not sure if I want to continue the same vein of research or branch out in college.

aidenn0
The only real difference for getting a job today with a Harvard vs Stanford job is that you might actually have to look for employers versus the employers coming to you. Obviously nobody knows what the job market will be like in 4 years.
got2surf
Hmm, that's true, but it may differ by field. For example Goldman recruits much more heavily at Harvard than Stanford, but small startups recruit more at Stanford. I think my problem is I don't know what I want to do yet - still split between finance or entrepreneurship, or even pure research :P
jacktoole1
An education is what you make of it. I think you could do well at either. Congratulations for getting into such highly ranked schools!

That said, in terms of CS, I think Stanford is the clear winner in terms of name brand. Harvard is a big name in a lot of areas; I've never heard CS being one of them (I'm sure it's still a great school though).

Also, as you mention, Stanford is in Silicon Valley, so for entrepreneurship/tech business Stanford is also probably a better pick, in my opinion.

Unless you want to branch out into a field that Harvard is more well-known for than Stanford, I would pick Stanford. I don't think Harvard's a much better school in non-CS areas than Stanford, and Stanford is generally regarded as a better school than Harvard in CS. If you decide that you really want to learn about field X, and Harvard is much better in X than Stanford, then that might be a compelling argument the other way. But if your criteria is "CS + ?", then I'd pick Stanford.

My 2 cents. Both are great schools to go to - there is no wrong decision here.

kls
If you don't mind me asking why not MIT?
got2surf
Well, I find MIT a little "too tech focused" for my liking - while I love taking CS/math/engineering courses, I feel like I'll miss out on other areas by going to MIT. I guess it has more to do with the diversity of interests of other students around me than anything else. So I'd say it's 3rd on my list, right after H and S :P
kls
Fair enough, I am too tech focused so it has always been the school that I would have attended had I chosen to pursue a top school. As well I have a large social circle of MIT grads so they have biased me as well.
got2surf
I think my opinion is also a bit biased - I've met far more liberal arts types of folks than MIT grads. But the MIT folks I have met are some of the smartest
joncalhoun
Are you planning on interning while in school? That would probably be significantly easier (especially at a startup that possibly can't afford to pay as much) if you were in SV.

Not that there aren't internship opportunities at Harvard, but I believe there are more near Stanford (with no evidence to support it, so feel free to ignore me).

got2surf
I'd definitely like to intern - my plan is to do 1 internship at a big company (Google, FB, etc, which would be doable from Harvard or Stanford) and then at a small company (which would be easier from Stanford) and finally at a finance firm (which would be easier at Harvard for Wall Street-esque, and probably a wash for VC-esque).

But then again, Boston has a pretty good startup culture - what I think is interesting is the ratio of prospective startups to prospective funders in each city. Thanks!