<p>I am an athletic recruit that has been offered sponsored slots at both Harvard and Yale. I have visited both, but still cannot make a decision. I am looking for opinions on what is a better school overall.</p>
<p>^^“Better” in what way? Academically? Socially? Athletically? Better town? What are you looking for in a school?</p>
<p>You’ll get a bunch of responses, but no one on CC that I am aware of ever went undergrad to both Harvard and Yale and are thus qualified to make a direct comparison. So what you are going to get is all the Harvard people extolling Harvard and all the Yalies touting Yale. And in pretty much all cases what they know about the other school will be based on stereotypes or what they have “heard” from their nebulous friends and relatives.</p>
<p>From my point of view, both are fabulous schools that will give you a great education. They are far more alike than they are different. Visit each one if you can and choose the one that appeals to you more.</p>
<p>Even though I am completely unqualified to say anything about either school, I’ll say this:</p>
<p>Cambridge > New Haven</p>
<p>I’ve spent time at both of these fine institutions, although I was only an undergrad at one of them. There is no doubt that Cambridge (and Boston) are nicer than New Haven. On the other hand, Yale’s residential college system (in my opinion) is a bit better, and (again, my opinion) the campus life at Yale is a bit more vibrant. In terms of the actual education you’ll get, there is no reason to choose either one of them overall. You could look at the particular department in which you might wish to major, and there you’ll find some differences.</p>
<p>Do you have likely letters in hand from both schools? Normally only one Ivy will offer a likely on the promise of you attending that school.</p>
<p>You might consider choosing the school you would most like to be at should you become injured, and have to give up your sport. Also, check out the departments of your top concentrations, you may find a favorite that way.</p>
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<p>What does that mean?</p>
<p>fauve: I interviewed a young lady who had in hand, likely letters from both Y and H. It can and does happen.</p>