I saw a similar thread from earlier this year, but I was wondering if anyone could give some more specific advice.
I am happy to say that I was admitted to both Harvard and Yale yesterday! But now I have to decide between the two.
I am very interested in majoring in Physics and then going to grad school. Which school is better in providing undergrad research opportunities? Which has a better pipeline to grad schools? Which has better STEM teaching? Also, I’ve heard not-so-great things about discrimination against women in Harvard’s math department. As a girl, I’m interested to know what it’s like in physics at both Yale and Harvard.
I was admitted to MIT, as well, but decided not attend because I really like humanities, too. I am very interested in Yale’s Directed Studies program and Harvard’s Humanities 10a and 10b. Can anyone compare? Also, intro-level humanities class sizes?
In terms of wider life-- I currently live in a city with ~9 million population and love the art, museums, restaurants etc. So, I think Harvard’s location is better suited for me. But, I’m afraid that it won’t have a good social life. I’ve heard about “mass-unhappiness”, lack of parties, dating etc. Is it easy to make friends at Harvard? I am a very academic, serious person who also likes to have a good time!
Can you attend both Bulldog Days (Apr 24-27) and Harvard Visitas Apr 16-18? You’ll see them both try their best to woo you. It’s no surprise that among cross-admits, Harvard and Yale lose the most to each other – they are very similar in many ways. But different in some others. I’m a Yalie and loved the social aspect of the Residential College system and (to me at least), the campus rah-rah spirit was vividly stronger than my Harvard friends and when I’d visit Cambridge. Those were very enjoyable aspects for me – they many not mean the same to others. Please visit. Please continue to ask and probe. Congrats – you’ve got a wonderful problem on your hands!
Of course, Harvard also has a residential house system. The social life at Harvard is fine. Not sure of the source for your information, but very different from experiences of students I know. Students most definitely socialize and form deep friendships that continue beyone college. (Houses are potentially rah rah, up to you. There are events in the houses, and the dining halls are open to hang out while studying etc. Pretty homey overall.)
One difference I noted between the two schools is that at Yale some semesters you take 5 classes, Harvard is normally 4. Look at gen ed/distribution requirements as well.
I personally much prefer Cambridge and Boston to New Haven, but that’s me. Art, music, museums in NYC aren’t too much of a trek from Yale but in Cambridge you can walk or jump on a bus.
You could attend the accepted student days. Or, you could go on a regular day and attend classes, soak up the vibes, even spend the night perhaps, at a time when the school is not putting on a show.
Congratulations on having an excellent choice. As others have said, if you can revisit, either during the official revisit days, or at another time, you would be best served.
In terms of Human 10a/10b, the class consists of a weekly lecture as well as a weekly 2-hour section. The class is capped at 75, and has been oversubscribed since it’s inception. The sections are led by professors, which is a rarity, and are capped at 15. One advantage is that taking both 10a/10b also fulfills your Expos 20 requirement.
In terms of class sizes for other humanities courses, it really depends. Some gen ed classes are large, and others are tiny. Outside of intro and gen ed classes, the sizes are usually less that 12-15.
