<p>The government department (which is what they call the political science department) at Harvard is absolutely first-rate. (I was a government major again, some time ago, but a number of the top professors that I had are still there.) In addition to being leading scholars, many members of the faculty also have extensive practical experience in government. As marite mentioned, Harvards worldwide reputation also attracts a number of top visiting scholars and dignitaries. And Harvards graduate schools, such as the Kennedy School and the Law School, provide additional resources for undergraduates both in terms of qualified undergraduates taking courses there and in terms of faculty from those schools teaching undergraduate courses. For example, Graham Allison from the Kennedy School and Roberto Unger from the Law School are both teaching undergraduate courses this year. (I took a course with Unger as an undergrad and he is one of the most brilliant people I have ever encountered.)</p>
<p>The government department is the second largest undergrad major at Harvard, but it is divided into four subspecialties American politics, international relations, comparative politics and political theory. It didnt feel like a big major to me, and I had a number of small classes, seminars and tutorials with senior faculty. In terms of your interest in international study, as you may have read, President Summers has made international study one of his top two priorities as part of Harvards recent curricular review.</p>
<p>I am less familiar with Yales political science program, so I will let others address that.</p>
<p>As for the comments you have received from some Harvard students that every day is a battle, that was certainly not my experience, nor is it reflected in what current students told my son (and me) on his visits there over the past year. I have no doubt that there are some Harvard students who feel this way (I also have no doubt that there are some Yale students who feel that way about Yale). Both Harvard and Yale are intense places almost by definition, they are full of students who have excelled and achieved much in their lives even prior to going to college. But thats also part of what makes them exciting, stimulating places. You need some self-confidence to thrive at either school, but most of the students who go to Harvard or Yale have that.</p>