Two students walk in front of Stanford Memorial Church on the Stanford University campus in Stanford, Calif.; Credit: Paul Sakuma/AP
Once upon a time, the question used to be “Harvard or Yale” when it comes to which is the more prestigious university in the nation. But in the past few years, the question seems to have been changed to “Harvard or Stanford?”
A new Princeton Review survey supports that switch. It finds that, when asked about their “dream school,” high-school students and parents overwhelmingly chose the West Coast school over its East Coast rival. Both, of course, are top-notched schools academically, and anyone would happy to go to either school. But the change in perception might have more to do with the different “brand” each school projects.
Is the Harvard brand losing its shine? Is the Stanford brand ascending? What are the reasons behind the shift?
Guest:
Elizabeth Scarborough, CEO of SimpsonScarborough, a market research firm that specializes in looking at higher-education brands