<p>So I was lucky enough to be accepted at each of these for undergrad and each of the financial aid packages are essenially the same (so money, while certainly important overall, is no longer a deciding factor) I am PLANNING on majoring in Political Science/Government, but I want a place where my options will be open for either pre-med or pre-law should I choose. I am from southern West Virginia (very close to the location of the mine tragedy site to give you some idea). I am also interested in business/economics as possible minors or even double majoring in one.</p>
<p>Could you all throw out some recommendations? I am really having a rough time deciding and I want to make a sound choice that isn't based solely on name. While I think name recognition is important, I really don't want to hate my life for 4 years. I am not a partier at all, but a decent social scene would be nice. However, as mentioned, it is not the most important thing for me. </p>
<p>Be specific with your suggestions if you don't mind, because just yelling "DUDE IT'S HARVARD!" doesn't tell me anything.</p>
<p>I have also been accepted to Georgetown and Emory if anyone wants to comment on those in comparison. I haven't eliminated those yet and would be open to their recommendations as well.</p>
<p>Now that you have been accepted and i can see that you are not entirely driven by the ‘name’ and reputation of the universities you mentioned, I think your decision should mainly come down to where you think you would be happier.</p>
<p>UPenn, Harvard, and Stanford are all awesome and it wont make much difference to your career because of which one you choose.
Check out the environment, the atmosphere, the social life. Then make your decision.</p>
<p>I agree with hitesh. Each have very different atmospheres (i.e. location, student bodies, social life, etc.). Academically, can’t go wrong with any of them. Research the atmospheres at each school thoroughly and find out which is the best fit for you. Personally, I would go with Stanford because I like warm weather and a laid-back atmosphere, and Stanford fits both of these criteria for me.</p>
<p>Any choice is fine but personally, I would opt for either Stanford or Harvard and base the decision on where you want to be. Stanford is in Palo Alto, which is in its own “Stanford Farm Bubble” whereas Harvard is in an urban locale. I think its about where you see yourself for 4 yrs. I agree with Slik Nik, but don’t think Stanford students are all that laid back - they are extremely driven.</p>
<p>The reasons Slik Nik gave are good reasons to pick Stanford, if those things are important to you. Although I have to say, a couple of Harvard students I’ve met seemed awfully “laid back” to me. I also think Cambridge is a much more interesting college town than Palo Alto (or the area immediately around Penn). College campuses aside, Boston/Cambridge is a very nice place to spend 4 years. In good weather you can get up early on a Saturday, walk across Longfellow Bridge into Boston, explore some of the oldest urban neighborhoods in the country, spend a couple hours in the art museum, then take in a ballgame at Fenway. All more or less within ambitious walking distance. You also have easy rail access from Boston/Cambridge to NYC, Philadelphia, and DC (then from there, over to the WVa panhandle). With all the mystique surrounding Harvard I think many people overlook these attractions.</p>
<p>Academically, in the daily undergraduate classroom experience, probably a dozen or more schools are at least equal to Harvard. What sets it apart is the school’s generous support and far-flung connections to make interesting things happen beyond the classroom, while you are in college and after.</p>
<p>All schools that you were accepted to are great academically. Did you receive any sort of aid from Emory or Georgetown. Since you got into Harvard, you may have been able to get a 2/3 or full scholarship at Emory… and if that is the case, I would seriously consider attending. Visit all these schools and choose based on fit. You cannot go wrong with any academically. Good luck!</p>
<p>I think I’d choose between Stanford and Harvard. They are all amazing schools so maybe take a look more at the general atmosphere/personal preference of the cultural aspect of the school to decide. And obviously the geographical distance between West Virginia and Stanford is rather larger than Harvard. </p>
<p>I’m also applying to Georgetown as one of my top schools, but if I got into either of Standford or Harvard, because cost is about the same, I’d pick them. Hope that helps (:</p>
<p>Don’t fail to realize most people saying “I would choose between Stanford and Harvard” are probably doing exactly what you asked them not to do…throwing out Penn because it’s less prestigious.</p>
<p>First off, thanks so much for all of the help! I wanted to clear a few things up that I wasn’t very detailed with in the original post. </p>
<p>1) Fortunately Harvard, uPenn, Stanford, Georgetown & Emory all gave me a 100% financial
aid package, so that was what has equalized them for me. At each, I had a minimal
work study offer that I would be able to cover with local scholarship money.</p>
<p>2) I was raised in a quite a rural area and I can speak volumes for what it has done for me
in my personal life, but I am ready for a change. I am looking for a campus in an urban
area. Each of these choices are urban by my standards (my town consists of a little
over 2000 people!). </p>
<p>3) I will be visiting Harvard, Stanford, and Georgetown later this month, so I was using this
largely as a way to get a “real” perspective on uPenn since I wouldn’t be able to see
it for myself. </p>
<p>Again thanks for the help! It will be a tough choice, no doubt!</p>
<p>You’re certainly not the only one to turn down Harvard for Penn CAS (the kid across the hall from my freshman dorm did the same), and there are plenty who turn down Stanford for Penn as well…it’s all about what just feels right for you.</p>
<p>Given you are from a small town, Palo Alto might be a good transition. It is a bubble, sure but he big city is accessible Harvard and Penn put you right in the middle of 2 big cities. Between those three you can’t make a bad choice. Good Luck!</p>