I have posted this thread on the Harvard forum, so I also wanted to post it here for balanced feedback!
I was recently accepted into Harvard, Georgetown, Penn, and Dartmouth. As of right now, I am absolutely torn between Harvard and Georgetown. I would like some opinions regarding which school can provide me with the best opportunities and environment. Here is the breakdown:
HARVARD
Concentration in Government with Secondary in Economics
$5k less expensive than Georgetown
More prestigious and well-rounded
I really like the campus, and the students seem very nice and really passionate about something.
Can still do a semester in DC and take advantage of all their IOP programs
Boston is nice; however, not the same as DC
Kennedy School of Gov and Harvard Institute of Politics
Incredible connections for the future in gov, business, law, etc.
I will probably be going to Visitas
GEORGETOWN
Double Major in Government and Economics
I love the location; DC is amazing in terms of opportunities for political internships and access to gov
Lot’s of opportunities for service to poverty-stricken areas of DC
I spent a month on campus during the summer, and know for a fact that I would love it there
The vibe is great; lots of school pride and close-knit atmosphere
Not as prestigious as Harvard; however, gov department is comparable
The weather is better
I might not be able to visit again before deciding
In terms of long-term goals, I want to go into politics but also work in the private sector (consulting, non profits, world bank, etc.). I am not sure if I want to go directly into politics or the private sector straight out of college, so it can be either of those by then. Yet, I definitely want to be active during college with internships and public service.
Harvard. Having that name on your resume will be such an advantage in both politics AND the private sector. And don’t worry about missed opportunities because you won’t be in DC. Boston has plenty of opportunities, you can always spend a semester/summer elsewhere (study abroad/internship/whatever) and Harvard will seriously open SO many doors
Not surprisingly (since this is the Georgetown forum, full of Georgetown partisans), I’ll give you a (nuanced and logical, I hope!) counterargument to what will probably be the overwhelming majority opinion.
I know one person (she’s not the only one in history though) who transferred from Harvard to Georgetown. There were a couple of factors that played into her decision, but the overall point was that it just wasn’t a good fit for her. There are aspects of any campus culture that some people will dislike, and in some cases that aversion can be particularly strong. This is not something to be easily dismissed or taken lightly - it’s not worth spending 3-4 years in a place you dislike (and paying for the privilege).
One of the schools on your list gives me a more direct example: I would absolutely, positively not enjoy being an undergraduate at Dartmouth, given the campus culture that exists there. I would rather pay to go to Georgetown than go to Dartmouth for free (time is the coin of your life, and it is much scarcer and more precious than gold).
So, do your best to take in the experience at Visitas and figure out if it feels right. Name brand value and recognition are obviously a consideration, but it is important to keep in mind that in the grand scheme of things, “the evidence suggests that for the typical kid with dreams of spending her undergrad years in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it doesn’t really matter whether she attends the most exclusive university possible, at least when it comes to her future earnings potential” ([source](http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2015/04/01/harvard_admissions_it_doesn_t_matter_if_you_get_rejected_by_the_ivy_of_your.html)).
That’s my general advice, regardless of the schools under consideration: go where you think you’ll be happiest and most productive.
Follow your intuition. At this point in the process it is your gut – not prestige, not what strangers on CC say – that you should be listening to.
My son will be attending Georgetown (it was his first choice and he was accepted EA) and what I noticed during the recent GAAP Weekend is that Georgetown is very comfortable being Georgetown. I didn’t feel that anything that was said or done during the weekend (which was truly wonderful, by the way) was anything other than Georgetown being Georgetown. There was no hard sell. There was no dog and pony show. It was really easy to get a sense of what the Georgetown community and what the Georgetown experience is all about. If that community and experience call to you – call to your gut – you should attend. If Harvard feels like the right fit – go there.
I’d have a difficult time turning down Harvard when it’s $20K less, unless money is no object for your family. But it’s not like Gtown is such a drop in prestige that it’s crazy to choose it. I have a friend whose ds chose CMU over Harvard, so it does happen.
I like what the above poster said about Gtown doing Gtown. If it wanted to rise in the rankings it would go to the Common App, but it doesn’t.
You’ve spent a month there already and know you love it. I don’t think you need to revisit. Go to Visitas, and I bet your decision will be clear to you.
Just reading your post, I get the clear distinct feeling that you LOVE Georgetown, but perceive the incredible opportunities Harvard will offer you. This is a head vs. heart choice. I agree that Harvard will offer you what you list, and more. For $5k less a year, that’s a fantastic opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I normally would say go with your heart, but c’mon, is there really that much less love for Harvard that you would pass up this opportunity? Don’t be blind to the opportunities you will have in terms of internships, public service,…etc as well as meeting peers/professors from all over the world. Students pave their own paths at Harvard and this is mainly because they have oppotunities open to them if they take the initiative to make use of them. No matter where you go, best of luck.
Harvard and less expensive? Sounds like a no-brainer. I guarantee that you WILL find an internship opportunity/job ANYWHERE (including DC) with a Harvard degree.
Are you serious? There is no comparison. Having Harvard on your resume will make a major difference. And Harvard has fantastic financial aid and no loans. So it may turn out cheaper in the long run.
I’m just going to post these to make the point that this is not a “no-brainer” for everyone… and some folks do make a different choice. You should choose the school that is right for you