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.
The ONLY advantage Georgetown has over Harvard is location in DC.
However, the Kennedy School of Government and the Institute of Politics are national and international draws, and many politicians and policy makers come to Cambridge for short visits or as visiting professors.
Also, you can easily get involved in internships in DC during summers.
While Georgetown is a great place to study and observe government and politics, at Harvard you have the folks who create the policies, and are the actual advisors to leading government officials and agencies.
I think for politics and government, Harvard just hands-down beats out all competition.
Harvard and Georgetown are in different tiers in terms of academics and reputation. Harvard government and economic departments are the best in the world.
For the connections alone, if you’re interested in politics, Harvard is unparallelled. For example, I was an undergrad there. In my class alone, we had the woman who became the governor of Rhode Island, a state attorney general, a few law professors and so on.
When I was an undergrad there I had a few experiences. For example, I walked past the Premier of China one day in the Yard. Another day, I was walking past the Kennedy School and somebody stopped me to ask if I could help to set up some chairs for a lecture. I said sure. After I finished, they asked if I’d like to stay for the talk. Who was the speaker? Al Gore, VP of the United States.
George Will was a visiting professor, Spike Lee (the director) was a visiting professor.
Of all members of Congress, Harvard has the most graduates (not counting the grad schools.) Stanford is second, and Yale is third. Georgetown is not in the top 10.
If you’re interested in government work or law school someday, I’d advise Harvard strongly over Grown. Nothing against it but you’ll have the rest of your life to be in DC after graduation and so that shouldn’t stop you from going to Harvard for a few years. When you are applying for top internships it will be better to be aomewhat more rare coming from Harvard (especially given gtown is local and pulls students who would be xompwting for those internships too)
There is no advantage, none, in a double major in Government and Economics from Georgetown vs. concentrating in one or the other at Harvard, especially if you use some of your electives to get some knowledge in the non-concentration subject.
Cambridge is also amazing. Harvard is amazing in terms of opportunities for meaningful political work and access to government. Government comes to it.
Boston and Cambridge have poverty-stricken areas, too.
You also know you would love the Harvard campus.
Harvard is second-to-none in school pride. To the point of smugness.
Government department is comparable? Mayyyyybeeee on a good day.
There really isn’t a rational argument here. If you go to Georgetown, go because that’s what your gut tells you. You will do fine, the differences between the schools are not that relevant to any individual undergraduate. But don’t pretend that you are making any kind of rational analysis.
Be sure you ask this question on the Georgetown thread too. It’s hard to pass up Harvard for less $ than Georgetown, but a lot of the Cantabridgians are understating the access to the federal government you would get at Georgetown, particularly the internships you could do for credit and/or in addition to summer employment. Congrats on having such great options!
@GregB77777 ummmm, maybe I’m missing something but I show Georgetown to be in the top 10 at number 5. Not bad when UCLA is 4th and is only ahead of GTown because it is so strong, obviously, in the LA region.