<p>Hey, everyone...now that the college acceptance/rejection/waitlist letters have been received, I'm finding myself with a dilemma that I'd been warned about but never quite believed: I have too many options.
If I exclude the schools I didn't get into or have <em>basically</em> decided not to go to, I'm faced with this dilemma: Univeristy of Pennsylvania, Duke (admitted as a "top 350 student"), Cornell (minor scholarship), Univeristy of Chicago (scholarship of some sort for being a National Merit Finalist), or Harvard...?
Obviously, this being the Harvard board, it's a little biased. But, considering that I basically love all of these schools for different reasons and am an overly-cautious individual, I would like your opinion on whether Harvard is a "shoe-in" decision, even despite the increased "interest" and quirky nuances of the others? In other words, from an unbiased perspective, would you say that--as an English/psychology/philosophy lover and a general academic glutton--Harvard trumps all, definitely? Why or why not? (This can help others, too, I hope...)</p>
<p>you should choose Duke since you were identified as one of the "top 350 students" in their application pool this year. that means when you go to Duke, you will most likely outperform most of your classmates and be very exceptional here.</p>
<p>Harvard is still good but you will be considered as a "normal" kid if you come here.</p>
<p>I would say visit each of the schools, sit in a few classes, and get to know them before you make a choice. Remember, you'll end up there for four years, so you better know what you're signing up for. I know someone who turned down Harvard last year (after visiting) and couldn't be happier.</p>
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<p>you will most likely outperform most of your classmates</p>
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<p>Even if true, I don't see this as desirable. If the point is to be exceptional in the class, why not go to Podunk State, where you're likely to be #1? Seems to me that you'll get a lot more out of college when you are constantly challenged, surprised, and inspired by your classmates, in class and out. I genuinely think Harvard is #1 on this score. You won't believe all the extraordinary things your friends will be doing at Harvard.</p>