Harvard
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Too Traditional / Elitist:
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Seen as old-money, East Coast establishment.
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Criticized for being rigid, hierarchical, and overly focused on legacy admissions.
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Sometimes called “stuffy” or “pretentious.”
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Overhyped Prestige:
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Some argue it lives off historical reputation rather than innovation.
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Viewed by critics as coasting on name brand more than cutting-edge output.
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Cutthroat Culture:
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Alleged to foster competitive, resume-driven students rather than collaborative or creative thinkers.
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Weaker in Tech & Entrepreneurship:
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Compared to Stanford, often seen as lagging behind in startup culture and Silicon Valley
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Stanford
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Tech Bro / Startup Bubble:
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Being overly tied to Silicon Valley hype, VC culture, and short-termism.
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Producing arrogant or ethically questionable entrepreneurs.
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Less Tradition / Prestige:
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Some view it as “new money” or lacking the gravitas and centuries-old academic pedigree of Harvard.
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Weaker in Humanities:
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Putting less emphasis on the liberal arts or classical education compared to Harvard.
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Over-commoditized Education:
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Feeling more like a startup incubator than a university in the traditional sense.
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Common Stereotypes:
| Category | Harvard | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| Culture | Elitist, traditional, cutthroat | Superficial, startup-obsessed, insular |
| Prestige | Arrogant legacy brand | Flashy but lacks deep-rooted tradition |
| Student Body | Type-A, conformist, grade-obsessed | Tech bros, ethically gray, VC-chasers |
| Faculty | Nobel-heavy but inaccessible | Practical but too industry-focused |
| Career Outcome | Wall Street pipeline | Silicon Valley factory |
