<p>How many of you applied to Harvard simply (or mainly) applied because it's "Harvard"? Seriously, the name must have been a huge motivating factor</p>
<p>Everyone who applies to Harvard does so because it’s Harvard.</p>
<p>^ I didn’t.</p>
<p>Really, dreaming92? Then why did you?</p>
<p>Given that the quality of education and student life is so similar (or can only be discerned based on anecdotal evidence) among the very top colleges, applying for the name is a perfectly valid reason.</p>
<p>In the end, you really can’t know much about any college without going there. But you can have a pretty good idea of what people will think of you if you go.</p>
<p>i didn’t apply simply because it’s Harvard…it’s not that uncommon…</p>
<p>I don’t know why else you would apply. Harvard has a huge stereotype for being the worst of the Ivies to go to for undergraduate school, because they only care about their graduates and all that. I actually know a lot of families where one kid goes to Harvard and the other to another Ivy (Yale, Princeton or Columbia usually), and they tend to agree that the non-Harvard student has a more enjoyable undergraduate experience.</p>
<p>So now let me say this: Harvard’s name, prestige and unchallenged status as “#1” is by far its biggest pull. If you didn’t apply for those reasons, something’s wrong with you.</p>
<p>Edit: and Harvard knows this. There’s a reason why it’s one of the few colleges (and Ivies) not to ask a “Why [college]?” question on its supplement.</p>
<p>^ I suppose the interviews ask that question anyway though…</p>
<p>My S decided among some top schools (some Ivies and some not); among his considerations: the strength of the department he was considering (it eliminated one Ivy despite a wonderful visit); location (it eliminated one other Ivy plus two non-Ivies); research (it eliminated another Ivy despite another wonderful visit); fit (it eliminated MIT).
I should mention that he applied SCEA to H and RD to another school (which I urged him to consider but whose location he did not care for). He did not apply to any other.</p>
<p>did he get in? what was the one other school?</p>
<p>I think that the majority of people who are first drawn to Harvard are drawn because of the name. That said though, some end up genuinely loving the campus and environment because it’s a fit for their personality. For those who still don’t like it (cons like no focus on undergraduates, uptight community, etc.) the name is usually sufficient enough of a pull for them to apply anyways.</p>
<p>I actually had no plans to apply to Harvard until two of my sister’s friends were all “It’s awesome. Apply. Now!” And then I visited, and it really was quite awesome.</p>
<p>I figure a lot of people apply because, if you want to go to school at HYPSMC level, you have to apply to a couple of those schools, because, chances are, you’ll end up at a second choice if you just apply to one.</p>
<p>Harvard’s undergraduate Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology program was definitely a determining factor in my decision. Although, if given the opportunity, I may concentrate in some other biological derivative, an uncommon program with a specialized focus is very alluring.</p>
<p>Most of all, I will admit, I decided to apply because of the liberality of Harvard’s financial aid program. Coming from a low-income family, I view financial aid statistics when viewing the profile of a school before anything else. With a full-expenses paid education for students with families earning less than $60,000, applying to Harvard was not a difficult decision nor one that was made based on the prestige factor.</p>
<p>Yeah, the name was a huge pull for me. But also, that you can crossregister and take classes at MIT.</p>
<p>^ Definitely agree that Harvard’s financial aid program is a huuuge plus.</p>
<p>But let’s think now: full ride from community college + most gorgeous campus ever…would you still go there? Probably not. Harvard is tempting because, well, it’s HARVARD. The prestige and academic opportunities go hand in hand.</p>
<p>I applied because it’s Harvard Math Dept! Come on, it’s Harvard Math Dept.</p>
<p>I applied for various reasons:
- It’s Harvard - but that was not the most important, until I visited I thought I wasn’t going to apply, I was pretty intent on doing ED for Wesleyan although my grades could fit profile for something better, which is why I ultimately “went for it”.
- I was born at one of Harvard’s Hospitals, I left Boston when I was a year old and the first time I ever went back was when I was 16 and it was for HMUN - and I fell in love with the place. For me there’s something romantic about going back there if I get in - it’s the only school in Boston I applied to because I told myself, if you’re going back to the town of your birth, do so with some glory.
- Amazing physics + shared facilities with MIT (without being MIT)
- Cool people, the students and teachers at Harvard are simply amazing I’ve met a few abroad and at HMUN.
- Assured financial aid!?!?!?!
- Curriculum, the concentrations with no real core, being able study broadly - with the best.
- Being able to tell the girl at the bar: “Hey, I go to Harvard” haha</p>
<p>anyways - we’ll see in April what happens.</p>
<p>the FA is great for an International applicant like me. I’m applying next year for that reason. I would love to rather go to Michigan and not stress about a tiny acceptance rate and all, but for the first year or so (until I get my Perm. residence) paying international fees would suck so much.</p>
<p>The aid at Harvard is the main reason that I am applying. Secondly, would be the education. Then third the prestige. I am just scared that I will get a low GPA and end up at a no-name med school, if I get into med school with a poor GPA from Harvard.</p>
<p>Re post 10:</p>
<p>He got in. He’s now in grad school. The other school was S. I made him apply because of the (then) early RD deadline, but his heart was not in it.</p>
<p>I applied because it’s a great school. The name is great and everything but at the end of the day, you go there to learn. </p>
<p>I think a lot of those “why college” essays are pretty pointless. The majority of applicants are applying because it’s a great school. If you want kids to research, you should have a question “List some activities/programs you’d be interested in” and cap it at around 500 characters, so people don’t simply show off their researching skills.</p>