Stanford University

Alongside University of California Stanford is another great institution in California. It combines the great settings of Californian nature and beaches with the academic rigour of Harvard or Columbia. Stanford could perhaps be called the MIT of the West (or should MIT be called the Stanford of the East?). The university is known for its excellent STEM programs and high overall rankings both inside and outside of the US. This is a top notch university which appears often in movies to explain various technology or science knick knacks or unexplained events.

Indeed, Stanford’s School of Engineering ranks as the second best school for engineering according to US News. There students can study degrees as varied as aeronautics and bioengineering. Stanford’s location near Palo Alto grants it proximity to the big players of Californian, US and global economy. Incredibly synergies are achieved when students are selected for top jobs at firms such Boeing, Tesla, Alphabet or for the otherworldly inclined NASA.

Another fascinating thing about Stanford’s approach to engineering is its approach to academics. Although most people envision engineering students as highly technical yet lacking broader knowledge, Stanford tries to ameliorate that by establishing the Global Engineering Program, which aims to bring students together across various backgrounds and study issues that are international not solely American or Californian. Valuable global exposure and experience is gained, which opens doors to service outside the US whether at the UN or Airbus.

Sports also is not left behind by the amazing academics Stanford preaches. In fact some of the best sportspeople studied at Stanford, including golf’s legend Tiger Woods. Stanford has produced more Olympic champions than any other US institution. That is something to be proud of!

It seems Stanford can do all things right: combining great sports, location, academics and broader perspectives that makes it stand out even amongst its great peers and competitors on both the West and East coasts.