Advice Please? Harvard vs. Princeton

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello everyone, I would appreciate some advice regarding the decision I have to make (fairly quickly). </p>

<p>I have narrowed my options down to Princeton vs. Harvard for an undergraduate education. I plan to study government at Harvard and Politics/Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton. Both are ranked first in these fields according to a number of different rankings. I hope to work in government/politics in the future. I have visited both schools- I really enjoyed Princeton (atmosphere, culture, housing system, students, gothic architecture) far more than Harvard, but by all means did not dislike Harvard. I hope to live and work in the US Southeast or in DC in the future.</p>

<p>While I feel like I would receive a phenomenal education at both Universities, I felt that there were more opportunities from a political standpoint at Harvard. Harvard has the IOP (Institute of Politics), which brings in fellows who are established in the political world (such as President Bush’s speech writer, military political advisers, past holders of political office and major campaign managers) who hold undergrad seminars and function as undergraduate advisers. The IOP also sponsors (highly competitive) internships each year, placing students in parliament and all levels of the US government. While Princeton certainly has great speakers and a fabulous, office of career services, which does place students in certain positions with the gov’t, as well as connections with the Woodrow Wilson school, they are not as great as Harvard’s political resources. Unless I am missing one of Princeton’s initiatives or programs, which if I am, I would appreciate someone pointing that out. Harvard’s government faculty seems to have more experience, while Princeton’s faculty seems to be more established academically. </p>

<p>I am interested in attending law school in the future. Princeton published some great statistics about post graduation job positions and salaries, as well as grad school stats (in both of which, Princeton students are VERY successful). Harvard does not publish this data. While Princeton undergrads experience much higher acceptance rates than the averages across the board, HLS still favors Harvard college grads. Harvard students also have a much greater representation at YLS and CLS, although far less Princeton students apply to Law school so this is really not a fair comparison. Does anyone know about Harvard vs. Princeton at Yale Law or Columbia Law?</p>

<p>In essence, what I’m trying to say is I like Princeton, but I don’t know if it makes sense for my goals to choose Princeton over Harvard. Any advice?</p>

<p>Thanks for reading that looooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnggggggggg post :)</p>

2

<p>No one’s career has ever been damaged by a degree from Princeton. The political resources at Harvard are, as advertised, extraordinary but I would be very surprised if you ever felt the need to regret giving them up for Princeton.</p>

3

<p>After reading your post, I’d say go with Princeton. You have two great options. You really like Princeton the best. I think people tend to do their best when they are happiest. For you, that sounds like it will be at Princeton.</p>

4

<p>Did you decide?</p>