Stanford

[InnO]

There has been a lot of discussion on this forum on Yale, Northwestern, Princeton and other programs, but I have not seen that many comments on Stanford. I would really appreciate any insights into the program at Stanford and its strengths/weaknesses relative to Yale, Northwestern and Princeton (I am trying to make a choice between these programs). I am mainly interested in IO (both theoretical and empirical) and particularly in the economics of innovation and technology (but that, of course, might change). It would be great to hear about the choices others are making between these programs and about the criteria they are basing their decisions on.

[safebet]

Hi,

I have also offers from Stanford,Yale,Northwestern. My field is also IO. I can definitely say that for the empirical IO Yale is the best but since you consider both empirical and theoretical IO in that case I definitely recommend Northwestern. That is in my opinion Stanford is strictly dominated by Northwestern and Yale. In addition to that if you look the placements of these schools Especially Northwestern is much more better record than Stanford's. I definitely choose Northwestern and in the past years I have some friends who faced choice as yours and most of them choose Northwestern and the remaining part who deal with empirical IO chose YALE.
I hope these information helps you for reach a decision.

[domination]

Hi,

My choice set consists of Stanford,Northwestern and Princeton. Mainly I am interested in theory but I am also inclined to IO as my applicable area. I agree with the safebet's opinions but I am in trouble about the choice between Northwestern and Princeton. I look Northwestern and Princeton related entries. In addition to Safebet opinions, I can say that Stanford is falling and clearly Stanford's placement record proves this. Stanford's faculty become old and they are not active now as they were in the past and They do not actively hiring young faculty..That's so..I am going to %40 Princeton %60 Nortwestern.

[veroniquaz]

Originally Posted by domination

I am going to %40 Princeton %60 Nortwestern.

are 40% of you and 60% of safebet on Stanford´s waitlist?

[domination]

I get acceptance from Stanford ,Northwestern and Princeton..No need for speculation.

[mdmc]

Originally Posted by domination

Hi,
Stanford's faculty become old and they are not active now as they were in the past and They do not actively hiring young faculty..That's so..I am going to %40 Princeton %60 Nortwestern.

uh...two of the three top young micro theorists this year (koijima and fong) are going to stanford. you have no idea what you're talking about.

[elogiombra]

Originally Posted by mdmc

uh...two of the three top young micro theorists this year (koijima and fong) are going to stanford. you have no idea what you're talking about.

I completely agree. We have to add also Monika Piazzesi and her husband. Moreover, Bernheim is comig back from Princeton. And then Jackson and Segal don't seem to be old and inactive. I think that people usually consider too much rumors without any evidence. There is also the GSB which is just great.

[InnO]

Thanks for all the comments. Could someone who went to the Stanford flyout comment on how it was?

[nash12]

I think people are really underestimating stanford here. Jackson alone counts for alot. He along with Milgrom are regarded as few of the best theory 'advisors' around. And their collection of new guys is superb.

[eqtisadi]

Well, I was in the first day of the visit. I was also in Berkeley's. Actually, it's too bad that I couldn't recognize TMers (I was the only one from my country in Berkeley, so I could have been identified easily). Anyway, some slight differences I noticed. Again: slight differences, and they are only from what I saw, so refrain from generalizations, determinations, magnifications or any other things we like to do when we don't have enough information but we still have to decide.
(1) Berkeley seemed a bit (just a bit) friendlier in a less formal way than Stanford was. Stanford was very friendly and welcoming too, but it felt more correct. In addition, maybe it was just a mantra, but team work between students and joint work with faculty were stressed more in Berkeley.

(2) Although someone in the group raised the issue of recent placements which are weak relatively, he raised it in an elegant indirect way that was indirect enough to allow prof. Bresnahan to give an indirect answer of his own elegantly (the question was something like "why do many people choose to go to the private sector or business schools?"). I understand that they are currently in a process of revising the program to improve that point.

(3) While the main theme when talking about faculty movements in Berkeley was "look at who's NOT leaving", in Stanford it was "look at who's coming". In other words, Stanford seems to be on the way up in terms of faculty size (and consequently quality) while Berkeley is trying hard not to be on the way down.

(4) It relates to the previous point - funding seems to be more abundant in Stanford than in Berkeley. Starting with the food they offered and the reimbursement ceiling, through the stipend and all the way to research (and researchers as the point above notes). It's not that Berkeley people are hungry, but I am guessing (just guessing) that getting funding in Stanford for your research will be easier than in Berkeley.

(5) In terms of location, Stanford is ultra-suburban while Berkeley is busier and has more things to offer in walking distances. The view from the hills in Berkeley is also magnificent (although the entrance to the Stanford campus is more impressive).

I hope this helps - I know that I really have a hard time deciding between these places and Princeton too.