EE PhD: Stanford or MIT?

[quarky]

Trying to choose between Stanford and MIT for EE PhD program. I like the faculty and interdisciplinary vibe of Stanford, but I'd prefer to stay on the east coast. Is MIT really as cutthroat as people say it is? The social environment is pretty important to me. Also nervous about how many people make it past quals... 

[phdreally]

FYI - I have a friend in Stanford EE doing PhD, who said the dept has started becoming more selective during admission and therefore less stressful quals starting last/this year.

Also, the Information systems lab is pretty awesome at Stanford.

[aero9]

Do you have the chance to visit both schools? Talking to faculty and especially graduate students at both universities is (IMHO) the best way to assess the culture and environment of the program. Do you have full funding at both institutions?