Stanford vs. Harvard

[mdprospect2024]

Hi everyone! I am shocked and grateful for my success this cycle, and I am deciding between my two top schools: Stanford and Harvard (pathways). I have received my financial aid package from both schools, and the costs will be approximately the same. I have some family in California and don’t have any in Boston. I also prefer the warm weather. I went to college in New York so I do have friends on the East Coast. In the future, would probably prefer to match on the West Coast but it’s not a HUGE edge for Stanford because I think coming from HMS I could probably match on either cost. I'm interested in three different competitive specialties. Here are my initial thoughts:

Stanford:

Pros:

• Love the flexibility afforded by the curriculum here.. many people get involved in research early on and can also customize when/where they do rotations. Also, don’t have to go to class every day (like HMS).
• Step 1 + Step 2 flexibility: Take, essentially, whenever you want
• Amazing clinical research opportunities
• Match list is fantastic, a little more West Coast centric
• Interview day was great, got to interact with a lot of students (more important now because second looks are only virtual)
• Medical school connected to the undergraduate campus, love the connectedness of the campus
• Weather: love to hike and there are great outdoor opportunities
• Much smaller class size (90 as opposed to 165 at HMS)

Cons:

• Palo Alto not as vibrant a city as Boston
• Not as much of a home field advantage when it comes to matching (almost half Harvard people stay at Harvard hospitals for residency)
• Not as many research powerhouse hospitals as Harvard
• Stanford is #4 vs. Harvard #1 on USNWR rankings

Harvard:

Pros

• Prestige (but is the Harvard H going to get me that many more opportunities than the Stanford S?)
• More clinical experience, clerkships are during your 2nd year which gives more time on the back end to do what you want
• Fantastic research opportunities at 4+ major teaching hospitals
• Match list is fantastic
• Boston

Cons:

• Don’t love the 14 month accelerated pre-clinical curriculum in the sense that it’s harder to get involved with research early on. Would probably have to wait to start research until 3rd year (after clerkships)
• Very little flexibility in the first year. Have class every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 8-12:30 and 9-5 on Wednesday. Don’t know if that’s the best way for me to learn and retain knowledge
• Weather (don’t love the cold)
• Housing: Don’t love the idea of living in a dorm at Vanderbilt Hall
• Medical school is detached from undergraduate campus

Looking for any advice in helping me make my decision!

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[FatherTime-PhD]

Stanford.

 

[TheDataKing]

you can match on either coast from Harvard or Stanford. You have way more pros for Stanford and it sounds like you like it there more overall/would be happier there. I'd go to Stanford

 

[9blade]

Sounds to me like you prefer Stanford but are afraid to turn down the big Harvard name. I'd go to Stanford.

 

[efle]

@efle @LizzyM would love your thoughts

If you had to pick now, which coast would you prefer for the next 10 years?

 

[SoManyMedQuestions]

On the same boat, feel free to message me!

 

[mzlipton]

Also threw my vote in for Stanford. Sounds like you'll like it more there.

 

[Warrior1596]

Seems like you will enjoy Stanford more. You can match on either coast with both schools.

 

[KeViN2502]

@mdprospect2024 Do you mind if you share some of your experiences with us please?