<p>So the EA deadline is coming up pretty soon, and I'm trying to decide between MIT and Harvard. I am an athletic recruit who is being called by both schools.</p>
<p>I am interested in Engineering/CS, but that's not what I want my career path to be. I know my dad works in a CS job, and even though he is a manager, it still involves a lot of grind sitting at a computer all day. I know I would like to pursue a career that uses some technical knowledge but also involves talking to people, resolving issues, etc. and I think that's what consulting is. </p>
<p>What my take is, is that Harvard is a better ground for consulting and making connections. However, MIT is the best for building a strong engineering base that gives you the freedom to do the same or even maybe start your own company with the knowledge that you have. </p>
<p>I know that I want to be at the top. Sorry if that sounds pretentious, but it is my ambition.</p>
<p>MIT notes that athletics are not considered in admission, and that EA does not increase chance of admission. The opposite is true on both counts at Harvard. Apply EA to Harvard and RA to MIT and keep your fingers crossed because the chances are slim at either place even for the strongest applicants.</p>
<p>(This is for crew by the way. I am a coxswain.) I just talked to the Harvard coach tonight and he said that there were two other coxswains and there was me. Academically, I have the 2400 and a great GPA, and he said am at par with one of them and above the other. I still felt that I was not getting a whole lot of enthusiasm.</p>
<p>The MIT coach has said I am their top coxswain, and since they do need a coxswain, it is likely I will get a larger recommendation. I also have the stats mentioned above, which apparently matters more for MIT. That’s why I am leaning in that direction. It’s the uncertainty of the Harvard admission that’s keeping me at bay.</p>
<p>Did the Harvard coach contact you? Did you ask the Harvard coach what level of support could be given to you with admissions? The Ivy League can give you a likely letter which is pretty much a done deal with admissions. If you are seriously considering Harvard and would go there than you should find out if the coach is able to offer you a likely letter as this would greatly help you with your decision.</p>
<p>As far as MIT is concerned it is my understanding ( from being at recruiting events for another sport - not crew) that they do not “recruit” athletes in that the coaches do not have much sway with admissions - they sort of deal with the athletes they get via the standard admissions process.</p>
<p>In the end the most important decision to make is finding a school that you like, can afford, and where you will thrive then see if you can play your sport.</p>
<p>It might be unfair to the coaches, but can’t you apply to MIT EA (non-binding) and Harvard ED?
My daughter is a freshman at MIT. She loves it socially, but she says it is the hardest thing she has ever done. The core course requirements are intense. She also says that even as a frosh, there are Alum and others reaching out to hire students with all sorts of interests/majors.</p>
<p>Contrary to popular belief, MIT coaches CAN AND DO help in admissions… just not to the same degree as the Harvard/other Ivy coaches. Here’s the difference in a nutshell: </p>
<p>Ivy coaches have to think about the overall AI as a team, so they are balancing their top recruits (who may not be the best students) with others who will up the average AI (who may not be the best athletes). Net effect is that they can dip lower (for the top athletes) with grades/scores, as long as they balance AI out. If they do that, Admissions is more likely to rubber-stamp their list. Even a mediocre student can find a place they can do OK at Harvard, given the variety of majors. If you don’t have a Likely Letter, though, it’s hard to tell where the coach has prioritized you.</p>
<p>At MIT, coaches CAN support applicants and it does make a difference - as long as Admissions thinks the applicant can survive (GIRs) and thrive at MIT… which is still a pretty high threshold. MIT coaches (and most high-ranking Academic DIII coaches - and I know that MIT is DI in Crew, but the behavior is the same) are pretty smart in identifying students who can make the cutoff for Admissions. From the stats you provide, I would guess that you make that cutoff.</p>
<p>Regarding one vs the other… You need to decide what you are looking for and that should drive you decision on EA at MIT vs SCEA at Harvard. Harvard has Engineering, of course, but it doesn’t compare to MIT… There are limited options… MIT is unlimited.<br>
Also, the demands/expectations on your time for rowing (or any varsity sport) at Harvard would be greater than at MIT. There are very few engineers on teams at any of the Ivies - for good reason… Engineering is hard no matter where you are. What is your priority?</p>
<p>As an aside, for where you say you want to go, an MIT degree (or any engineering degree) + and MBA from a top b-school is fantastic. (I know from personal experience that HBS loves MIT engineers!) </p>
<p>Bottom line - Since neither are binding early, apply where it feels right… you can defer your decision until April. I think you are in a good position with MIT given what you wrote above. With Harvard, make sure you have a LL.</p>