Emory full-ride vs Harvard

Colleges and Universities A-Z Emory University
1

Hey guys,

I recently got all my college decisions back and I was fortunate enough to get into a number of good schools. However, after much deliberation, I have narrowed it down to the Woodruff Scholarship at Emory (full tuition, room and board) and Harvard University (full-pay, around 300k USD over 4 years). Harvard has always been a dream school, but I also love Emory and know it’s an amazing place and quite an elite school. I would probably do a double major in Business (Goizueta) and Applied Math at Emory, whilst I would do a major in Applied Math and Economics at Harvard. I might do an MBA in the future, but funding for that doesn’t really concern me as I think I would work before that and I should be able to afford it on my own anyways.

I am leaning towards Harvard at the moment, but every time I think of turning down the full-ride I feel bad, so I would love to hear your opinions on my reasoning for taking Harvard over Emory.

These are the main reasons why I would choose Emory over Harvard:

  1. Money: Obviously, I would save 300k USD going to Emory over Harvard. My parents can definitely afford the 300k without too much strain, but 300k is still a lot of money. However, the way we see it is that I can probably make that 300k back and potentially much much more over my career anyways. I want to work in either IB, PE, consulting or public policy after graduation, and I think that the name brand of Harvard does allow for jobs and connections that I wouldn't otherwise have. However, I do not know much about this and would love to hear some more perspectives.
  2. Scholar Experience or big fish in small pond: Obviously, being a scholar at Emory would be a unique experience with many additional benefits, like access to professors, research opportunities, scholar retreats, etc. Also, I love the Emory campus and when I visited I thought it was a great place and I really liked the overall vibe. However, I believe I would enjoy the overall experience at Harvard better. I think I enjoy being in a community more of like-minded students as I think that I could learn a lot from my peers who are so talented in different areas.

These are the reasons why I would choose Harvard over Emory:

  1. International Reputation: I am actually an international student, and I would strongly consider coming back to my home country to work, or in places like Shanghai and Hong Kong. Whilst I know Emory is very well respected within America and I could probably get most jobs I wanted coming from Emory, I think that internationally Harvard does indeed have greater brand recognition and I could receive significantly more opportunities coming out of Harvard.
  2. Harvard Campus/Lifestyle: I really like the plethora of clubs that Harvard has to offer, and I would love to join organisations like The Crimson, Sports Clubs, write for the International or Economics Review, and pre-professional finance/consulting clubs. I think that the clubs at Harvard are just on another level in terms of experience, funding and enjoyability overall. Also, I like Harvard's campus better, although only marginally, and love their housing system, freshman dorms, etc.
  3. Once in a lifetime opportunity: I think that Harvard is just such an amazing school with such a rich culture, and I feel like since I have the opportunity to attend school here and I can afford it, I might as well take it as it is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. I think the experience of going here would be extraordinary, and the friendships I can make will last a lifetime. Even if I can go to Harvard for post-grad for an MBA, it still wouldn't be the same I think.
  4. Family/Friends: My family and friends definitely want me to go to Harvard. They would all call me crazy to turn it down, and I guess that is also slightly weighing on my mind.

If anyone could give me thoughts on my reasoning and things like that, I would really appreciate it. If there’s any flaws in my thinking I would love to hear them.

2

You are an international student, whose family can afford the $$ w/o debt, looking at IB type jobs? Harvard.

ps: re:

It is way more likely that you will have to return to your home country to work than not. New Econ grads are 10 a penny, and unless you do some amazing quant-y work that will lead a big company to be willing to go through all the hoops to get a work visa for you, you will be going home after you graduate

3

If you can afford it, Harvard should be the easy choice.

4

If your parents can afford to spend $300,000 USD without altering their lifestyle & future plans, then, as an international student planning to return home to work after college, Harvard is probably the better option for you.

If spending $300,000 USD over the next 4 years will negatively impact your parents lifestyle & retirement, then save the $300,000 USD and accept the generous full-ride scholarship from Emory University. As noted above, you are aware that Harvard business School may be an option for you after college for an MBA.

Regardless of your decision, you will have regrets.

5

For an international who can afford it, Harvard is a no-brainer. Congrats.

6

Harvard. Glad we could clear that up for you!

7

I wouldn’t have had this choice. Full ride was what I took because my parents would have been severely impacted financially to have them pay for private college away.

It’s a matter of how much financial pain you are inflicting on your family. For Those who have no financial constraints, there wouldn’t be a question. Clearly , some pain for your fami,y to pay.

8

I would choose Emory but I am not in your financial situation. You are lucky- go to Harvard and let someone else get that Emory scholarship.

9

If you’re interested in a Wall Street career, go to Harvard. You might want to look at the website Wall Street Oasis and pose your question in their forum.

10

If your parents can afford it, Harvard.