<p>I have been very fortunate with applications and have been accepted to all three of these universities. Yale was my original first choice, but after doing more research I am falling in love with Harvard (I never expected to actually be accepted!). However, my only reservation about Harvard is that it is supposedly insanely difficult, and somewhat miserable, for premeds. I have read through other threads, but they are all a few years old. </p>
<p>Can anyone comment on how life is at Harvard for premeds? A Harvard student recently called me to congratulate me and ask if I had any questions. His roommate is a premed, and according to him he actually has time to live occasionally and is very happy with choosing to attend Harvard. Also, my Harvard interviewer (a very recent graduate) said that the administration is making an effort to improve student life on campus. </p>
<p>If I choose to attend Harvard over Yale (or possibly Stanford) as a premed, will I be miserable for four years? Do the professors actually care about teaching undergraduates/hold regular office hours, etc. (unlike the rumors would suggest)? Do you think I will occasionally have time to enjoy myself and have a decent social life? And, finally, how is the advising - is it as bad as CC makes it seem? I have exactly one month to decide!</p>
<p>I will be visiting Yale and Harvard for bulldog days and visitas, so hopefully that will help me decide. </p>
<p>Thanks in advance everyone! Any advice from current harvard students would be great!</p>
<p>D is a freshman pre-med and lives a very good life so far. She’s in LS1b and says it’s easier than LS1a, which was hard but do-able. Time management is key and she’s great at it. Stay off CC and Facebook at college and you will have time for many real-life social activities. She plays a sport and is active in several clubs. She volunteers with several organizations and regularly attends student events, workshops and lectures. She’s taking a class this term from a visiting professor she met at a tea at Freshman Dean Dingham’s house. She definitely gets around AND is making very good grades. She uses every spare 15 minutes to get something done and believes two days early is on time. Texts telling me about new discoveries at her school end with “I love my school” and #HarvardLife!</p>
<p>Why not just go to Stanford, where you’ll definitely be happy? After all, there’s a reason Stanford’s consistently #1 or 2 in the “happiest students” rankings and among the top in “best quality of life.” ;)</p>
<p>Neither Harvard nor Yale have a specifically designed pre-med track or major (or concentration ;-)). So pre-med students typically pick a biology major (or concentration). The difference is that students typically sign up four courses per semister at Harvard and one has to sign up for 5 courses at Yale for half of those semisters. The end results are 1) Yale students have less time for fun (if they are ever so inclined :-)); 2) it is easier to take the MCAT by the end of Junior year. A Harvard student has to be extremely careful and focused to cover all subjects for MCAT by the end of Junior year. However, there is such a thing called summer school at Harvard, so if one has falled behind, he or she can catch up in the summer in order to take the MCAT by the end of Junior year. Another option is to take the MCAT by the end of senior year and get a job on wall street for a year to help to pay the medical school bills.
However, these are not really important factors which should decide where you want to matriculate. For those lucky ones who have this wonderful choice between Harvard and Yale, you should plan to spend the week for both Visitas and Bulldog’s days. In addition to the propaganda sessesions scheduled by the adcom, try to find some time to go to a few real classes. Once you have the first hand experience at both campuses, then decide which fit you better.</p>
<p>“Can anyone comment on how life is at Harvard for premeds?”</p>
<p>A premed course schedule is going to affect your life in the same way at any of these schools. This isn’t a good way to choose between them. Just go with the one you prefer.</p>