Stevens Tech vs Harvey Mudd College

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the primary academic focuses of Stevens Institute of Technology and Harvey Mudd College?

  Stevens Institute of Technology excels in technology-driven fields like engineering, science, computer science, and business, often with a focus on practical application and innovation. Harvey Mudd College, on the other hand, is a liberal arts college with a strong emphasis on science, engineering, and mathematics, aiming to provide a broad, interdisciplinary education alongside technical expertise.

• How do the campus environments and locations differ between Stevens and Harvey Mudd?

  Stevens Institute of Technology is located in Hoboken, New Jersey, offering a vibrant urban setting with direct access to New York City. This provides students with numerous internship and career opportunities. Harvey Mudd College is situated in Claremont, California, as part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, offering a more suburban, close-knit community with access to the resources of five undergraduate institutions.

• What is the typical class size and student-faculty ratio at each institution?

  Harvey Mudd College generally has smaller class sizes and a lower student-faculty ratio than Stevens Institute of Technology. This often translates to more personalized attention from professors and greater opportunities for student-faculty interaction. While Stevens also values student-faculty interaction, its larger size can sometimes lead to slightly larger class sizes.

• How do the research opportunities compare between Stevens and Harvey Mudd?

  Both Stevens and Harvey Mudd offer significant research opportunities for undergraduates. Stevens benefits from its proximity to New York City and its strong industry connections, providing research opportunities in collaboration with companies and government agencies. Harvey Mudd emphasizes undergraduate research as a core part of its curriculum, with many students participating in research projects with faculty members.

• What are the career prospects like for graduates of Stevens and Harvey Mudd?

  Graduates from both Stevens and Harvey Mudd are highly sought after by employers. Stevens graduates often find positions in technology, engineering, finance, and consulting, leveraging the school's strong industry connections. Harvey Mudd graduates are well-prepared for careers in research, development, and leadership roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as graduate studies.

• How does the social life differ between Stevens and Harvey Mudd?

  Stevens Institute of Technology offers a more traditional college social life, with a wider range of extracurricular activities and a vibrant Greek life. Its location near New York City provides access to a diverse range of entertainment and cultural experiences. Harvey Mudd College, as part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, offers a unique social environment with access to the resources and social activities of five different colleges. This provides a broader range of social options and a more diverse student body.

• What is the general academic rigor at Stevens and Harvey Mudd?

  Both Stevens Institute of Technology and Harvey Mudd College are academically rigorous institutions. Harvey Mudd is known for its particularly challenging curriculum, especially in mathematics and science. Stevens also has a demanding curriculum, particularly in its engineering and science programs, but may offer a slightly broader range of academic options.

• How do the admissions processes and acceptance rates compare?

  Both Stevens and Harvey Mudd are selective institutions, but Harvey Mudd typically has a lower acceptance rate, making it more competitive to get into. Both schools consider factors like GPA, standardized test scores, essays, and extracurricular activities in their admissions processes. Harvey Mudd places a strong emphasis on demonstrated passion for STEM fields.

• What are the key differences in the curriculum structure?

  Stevens Institute of Technology's curriculum is often more focused on specific disciplines within engineering, science, and technology from the start. Harvey Mudd College has a common core curriculum that all students must complete, regardless of their major. This core curriculum emphasizes a broad foundation in science, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences.

• How do the schools approach innovation and entrepreneurship?

  Both Stevens and Harvey Mudd encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. Stevens has a strong focus on technology commercialization and offers programs and resources to help students launch their own startups. Harvey Mudd fosters a culture of innovation through its project-based learning approach and its emphasis on solving real-world problems.