<p>I'm well aware that this is the Harvard forum so the responses may be colored with Harvard bias, but I'm asking in both places. So, what do you think are the differences? Perks of each? I know that Cambridge would be quite different than New Haven, and that I might be able to do directed studies at Yale, but what else? I've heard bad things about class sizes at Harvard (save the freshman seminars, of course?, is there any truth to that? Also, it's been said that Harvard doesn't care as much about undergrads, and hence it's kind of a "fend for yourself" kind of environment. Also, is Havard as loud and busy as it was during the summer? It seemed very bustling and not, peaceful I guess is the word, which would be hard for me to adjust to coming from a farm. Thanks for any insight; this is a really tough decision for me.</p>
<p>Wait you got into both of them?</p>
<p>Yep. I'm sure millions of kids wish to have my "dilemma" (I'm also considering UChicago), but it is a dilemma nevertheless.</p>
<p>Forget UCHICAGO and Harvard, I say YALE. Yale is as prestigious and well-known nationall and internationally. Also, Yale is a hell of a lot more social than Harvard.</p>
<p>Ultimately, I would say look at the financial aid given, and visit the school. I think visiting the school will be the deciding for you!</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>That's the thing: I too have heard that, but it doesn't much matter to me since I'm not a "social" person really. I don't drink and don't want to in college, and I enjoy the nerdiness of UChicago (they also have a killer Econ department that is friendly to my personal biases). At the same time, Yale and Harvard provide better connections and more vibrant political scenes.<br>
I actually have visited all three schools, but none really jumped out and said 'attend me'. I think I like Yale better than Harvard, but it's hard to place Chicago in there. In addition, Harvard has offered $6,000 in fin. aid whereas Chicago and Yale offered none. I may try to use the Harvard offer as leverage to getting those schools to adjust though.</p>
<p>I say, if your into math, chose harvard because harvard (1) has an amazing math department and (2) is close to MIT and you would be able to take classes there. If you arent into math, then def chose the one thats cheapest :-) .
Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>I suppose I'm "into" math, but i'm going to major in Econ or Poli Sci. I hadn't thought about the ability to take MIT classes though, so thanks for that reminder! Do you know how that works, though? I mean how easy is it to get from one campus to the other?</p>
<p>Don't listen to people that attend other schools when they comment on Harvard. Scorpio is in high school and has no idea what Harvard or any other school is like socially or otherwise. You can find great friends and great organizations at either school. Harvard is a little larger and has somewhat deeper pockets for some things. The housing systems are more similar than different. They both house freshman together whether they are 'assigned' a house in name or not. The houses are the center of campus life both places. $6000 is nothing to sneeze at. Whether you can leverage it at other schools remains to be seen. It could happen. Most of your classes will be in the yard or in the science center, quite close together.</p>
<p>In 90% of cases, I would disagree with the criticism of Harvard that students are "left to fend for themselves" and that class sizes are big. The one case where I think this is true is the economics department. Econ advising is notoriously bad/nonexistant (but being improved!). Classes are generally large, although there are tutorials and seminars as you move towards graduation.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Harvard econ has many of the best minds/writers out there... with tons of cool classes (Hoxby on education, Laibson + Schliefer on Psych + Ec, Mankiw for intro!). </p>
<p>Re: "bustle" The Yard is always very peaceful, but Mass Ave is a busy street. Harvard is definitely in an urban environment.</p>
<p>With regards to Poli Sci, Harvard is a great place to be political. Very active republicans/dems groups, lots of political publications (salient, perspective, political review, international review, etc), and of course the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School. You can be a liason to a visiting fellow as early as freshman year, working to set up study groups for someone like Bob Graham or Dotty Lynch.</p>
<p>If you're not planning on drinking, you can't beat Harvard + Boston for plays/concerts/museums + other ways to have a fun, sober night.</p>
<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=319575%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=319575</a> great thread on H vs. Y vs. P in parents' forum.</p>
<p>I was referring to an article I read about Harvards lacking social scene. The article had insights from students themselves. Even if Harvard has organizations that can allow you to obtain friends, I am sure Yale's is even BETTER!!</p>
<p>Haha, I don't have much real insight to offer, but I envy you for your choice. It would have been just as hard for me; Yale is my "dream" school but my cousin goes to Harvard and a Yale grad student warned my sister to warn me that Yale students will steal each other's notes so they'll fail exams (not sure if I believe this though). But I was rejected and spared the choice. Good luck! If I were you, I'd rule out U Chicago, though. It's a great school, but you would probably feel twinges of regret turning down Yale AND Harvard, and if you live in Illinois it might be a little too close to home. Don't you want to get out of the Midwest??</p>
<p>Scorpio-You really aren't contributing anything here. At the very least, dig up the link to that Crimson article, so that the OP can decide whether the criticisms are relevant.</p>
<p>Firstly, I don't feel like doing it. Second, I am NOT the only person who has been contributing advice based on what I think or what I hear, so don't feel like you have the right to attack me!</p>
<p>
[quote]
a Yale grad student warned my sister to warn me that Yale students will steal each other's notes so they'll fail exams (not sure if I believe this though).
[/quote]
This is complete crap. I've never heard of such a thing happening at Yale.</p>
<p>
[quote]
In addition, Harvard has offered $6,000 in fin. aid whereas Chicago and Yale offered none. I may try to use the Harvard offer as leverage to getting those schools to adjust though.
[/quote]
drummerdude_07, you should definitely call the Yale financial aid office tomorrow to tell them about the discrepancy. Yale will generally match the FA offers of somewhere like Harvard. You should probably try to do the same at UChicago, though I don't know if they are as likely to help.</p>
<p>Svalbard, thanks for the info :) Glad to know that Yalies are as nice as I wanted to expect.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the comments. ? for the person who said I could probably get my FA adjusted by Yale: That is great, but will I get screwed the next three years? If Yale's formula spit out no money for me this year and they adjust for Harvard's offer, would they promise to do the same in following years or what? Logically, Harvard would likely continue with that level of aid for all 4 years, but Yale might not, right? I don't know, I'm so confused.</p>
<p>Talk to the financial aid office about it. Many people have this isssue every year, and they will be happy to work with you on your individual situation. If you explain your concerns, I'm sure they can work something out.</p>
<p>You'll ahve a better feel for each school after admitted students days. Don't focus on the details, go with your gut. I made pro/con lists of the schools I got into but they really didn't help. My list told me Yale was it (less students, clsoer to home...etc), but when I stepped onto the Harvard campus I got this fuzzy-oh-so-wonderful feeling. Resort to the lists and other technicals if you still cant decide. But I'm pretty sure you'll get a special vibe when you visit and you're hanging out with the students and other pre-frosh. Good luck!</p>
<p>If only I had the luxury of going to prefrosh weekends!</p>