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.
Hi,thanks for sharing this post.I think Harvard will be the best.Out of all incoming freshmen who were eligible for financial aid, Harvard offers incoming freshmen with 21% more financial aid support than GU.
I wouldn’t turn down Harvard undergrad for anything. It will set you apart in a way that almost no other school will – you may not notice it now or at age 25, but even at age 35 or 45 people will give you a benefit of the doubt just bc you went to Harvard. (I’m sure millions of people will come disagree now – but that’s just been my experience w certain named schools.) And it comes out cheaper for you – so consider that. Liking DC isn’t a reason to turn down H. You can spent every summer in DC interning if you want and can end up there after graduation; DC is a competitive city and you want your resume to be as strong as possible for anything you want to do.
Ages ago I turned down Harvard for another (smaller and also highly selective) school that suited me better. The moment I stepped onto the campus of the other school, I literally felt like crying – there was no question that I belonged! When I visited Harvard (because my father made me – I was ready to reject it sigh unseen after my other visit) it felt cold and the students seemed stressed out. My father has STILL not quite gotten over it but I look back on my time at Not Harvard as some of the best days of my life and I have never had a regret. I’ve had a successful career and wonderful life, and am still close to many of my classmates. Don’t feel like you have to go to Harvard just because it is Harvard.
@pranayama… certainly if the OP expressed feelings that Harvard was not going to be a good fit and that he/she couldn’t be happy there, then fine, turn H down and go someplace where one can thrive.
But in this case, it appears the OP could very well like Harvard… this isn’t a situation where the OP is only considering Harvard because he/she is being forced to.
People turn Harvard down every year… but it doesn’t sound like this is a case where the OP is feeling pressured.
@aj725, I do disagree slightly but rather because I think it’s the other way around. The Harvard ‘name’ will mean a whole lot more when you are 25 and early in your career than it will mean at 35 or 45. By the time you are 35 or 45, what will matter is your track record of work and the positions you’ve held. The Harvard name can only carry you so far; if you went to Harvard 18-22 but haven’t done much since then, few people are going to hire you at 45 only on the basis of Harvard.
I do agree, though, that there is a small handful of schools where the name can move you far in your career - especially in politics. Harvard is in that handful. Incidentally, so is Georgetown - but Harvard has even more cachet there. Politics is one of those prestige fields where having an elite degree is a plus, so especially if you are going to save $20,000 I would say that you should probably pick Harvard. (And my advice would be different if it sounded like you really liked Georgetown - but it sounds like you like them both equally and are seriously torn.)
I would also recommend Harvard. You can do internships in DC at Georgetown in the summer and you’ll have no trouble getting a job there once you graduate.
Another vote for Harvard, but Georgetown is no slouch. Bill Clinton, Antonin Scalia, Robert Gates, and numerous U.S. Senators/Representatives past and present attended Georgetown.
I’d personally say Georgetown. I know Harvard’s reputation and prestige is unmatched but Georgetown is a fantastic option especially for politics. The main reason I’m suggesting Georgetown is because I think the atmosphere at Georgetown and Harvard cannot be compared. I found the community at Harvard to be too competitive and too cocky for my own liking from my visit and stories I’ve heard from friends who have attended Harvard. I’m sure that some people who have attended Harvard have different opinions than me regarding the Harvard experience, but that is the general vibe I have gotten from the school.
Again, think it through! It’s a very tough decision but I would suggest not solely choosing Harvard for prestige reasons. Also, congratulations for getting into all these great schools.
Some people I talk to say that Harvard is mostly a name, and that Georgetown government is a comparable program in terms of prestige and academics. Don’t you think that Georgetown has more opportunities, especially with its location?
“Harvard is mostly a name”?? Ummm… no. Harvard’s endowment is more than MIT and Stanford… COMBINED. It has resources unparalleled by any other academic institution in the world.
That said, there are plenty of other awesome institutions from where someone could get an outstanding education… and Harvard is certainly not for everyone… but saying it is “mostly a name”??? Just no.
Personally? I would go to Harvard. 5K cheaper x 4 years = 20K savings… and it’s Harvard! Savings + prestige isn’t a bad deal. Georgetown is amazing, too, but if Harvard is offering you more money, they want you more. It sounds like you could be happy at either school.
Some additional info for you:
Boston has poor people. Plenty of them–they’re just a bit more well hidden in Boston than D.C. Just hop on the T and go to Dorchester (or Southie or East Boston, etc. etc. etc.)… you’ll find plenty of service opportunities. Boston has a thriving social justice/non-profit community/atmosphere.
Harvard will give you plenty of connections to the government/national politics–there will be a plethora of alumni networking opportunities available to you post-grad where just having Harvard on your resume will get your foot in the door. And while you’re in Boston, it’s not a bad place to get involved in government. Mass has been at the forefront of several political/social programs that later went national–first to have universal healthcare, for one, and Boston politics has some delightful quirks/ticks that you could get into.
IMO, Boston is much better than D.C., as a city… and I’m from D.C. Boston just has an incredible energy/vibe, especially when you’re young and in college. It’s a college town–there are so many schools in the city/in close proximity and every other person you meet will be affiliated with some school. Georgetown has Georgetown, but Boston has dozens of pocket neighborhoods with different personalities/scenes/things to do. Cambridge alone has so much to do & such a thriving boho/hipster/international/artsy vibe. I’d be happy to answer specific questions about Boston if you have them. I lived there for 8 years and only moved away because I got a job in the industry (Hollywood).
Ultimately, it’s not like you can make a bad choice (both are incredible schools!)… so the cost savings can be a huge plus factor for you. That’s 20K in loans you don’t have to pay back, or 20K in cash your parents save.