<p>USC has an amazing alumni network. My son was accepted with a full tuition scholarship and made the schools honors program (Thematic Options). We keep getting told what a great alumni network they have and that no other school can compare. He is concerned now because he has chosen Harvard but really likes the alumni network that USC has.</p>
<p>Can anyone shed some light on the alumni network for Harvard? </p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I'm a Harvard alum, and don't know what to say about the alum network since I really don't have anything else to compare it with. All I can say is that there are Harvard grads at top levels in virtually all fields. </p>
<p>My thoughts are, however, that one doesn't pick a university of its alum network, at least that's not what I thought was important when I picked my college. For me, overall name recognition and prestige was important, and since often Harvard is considered not only the top college in the country, but also the top college in the world, Harvard was the college for me.</p>
<p>I can't imagine selecting USC over Harvard since USC isn't that well regarded outside of LA, where I know that it's regarded extremely highly. When one leaves LA/Calif., however, people aren't going to be as impressed by USC as they may be where you live.</p>
<p>But, if your S rejects Harvard, it may make someone on the waitlist very happy. :)</p>
<p>The alumni network at Harvard is amazing, and I do have another school to compare it with.</p>
<p>It's probably true that no other school can compare to USC when it comes to networking in LA. That's also probably true of Ole Miss when it comes to Mississippi, etc. But I don't think Harvard can be beat when it comes to helping grads find a soft landing anyplace in the country or world.</p>
<p>Alum network: The new president of Taiwan used to be the president of the Harvard Club of Taiwan. </p>
<p>A young friend of mine who was in a singing groups used to tell of living off the generosity of Harvard alums in the four corners of the world. While my S spent his spring break at home, the friend spent his in Bermuda, courtesy of a Harvard alum.</p>
<p>choosing a college on the basis of its ranking and prestige is just ridiculous and quite frankly pretty immature imo,....impressing people ffs...</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. Glad to hear that Harvard has a good solid alumni group. My son isn't picking a college for it's prestige alone. Lots of other things go into making a decision like this. The alumni group is one important aspect to him.</p>
<p>Northstarmom: you make interesting points about the prestige of a college. What about picking MIT over Harvard?</p>
<p>There are Harvard Clubs all over the place. I can be a member of both the one in New York City - which has a decent restaurant, a nice bar, comfy chairs, a nice hotel and various other ammenities. I can also be a member of the Westchester club, which has various activities (wine tasting recently, lectures more often). There's also the informal network that happens when you are job hunting. Although I'm not a member of the NYC Harvard Club, my parents were, and it was a handy place to stay when I lived overseas and a nice place to invite friends to have drinks or dinner with me when I was in the city.</p>
<p>As an alum I've offered spring break internships to current Harvard students.</p>
<p>"What about picking MIT over Harvard?"</p>
<p>I know people who have done it because they were pursuing technological fields. I don't know enough about such fields to comment on their decisions.</p>
<p>I think worldwide, people have heard more about Harvard than MIT, but for all I know, the MIT name may hold more weight in certain professions.</p>
<p>I know that Harvard has more campus ECs and similar things if such activities are important to you. For many students, the best part of the Harvard experience is being surrounded by a diverse (in all meanings of the word), smart, peer group that also is very active in the campus and community. That's something that I've never seen any place else to that extent. It is something, however, that may not be that important to some people.</p>
<p>if you're doing technology and math/science stuff, then MIT seems to be a more focused place</p>
<p>to the OP:
also note that USC and Harvard have vvery different cultures, and very different settings/weather and such. These may or may not be important factors to you
USC is definitely more relaxed than Harvard. and maybe you like LA better than Cambridge.</p>
<p>We are from Calif. so we are very familiar with USC. We have looked at all aspects of colleges. The alumni network is only one piece of the puzzle.</p>