Harvard vs Yale

[darkmgckk]

<p>Hey everyone! Out of all the colleges I got into, I think I've come down to Harvard vs. Yale. I'm interested in studying a combination of Economics and Political Science (or Government, as they call it at Harvard!) </p>

<p>Please help me make an informed decision!</p>

[Hanna]

<p>Can you visit?</p>

[darkmgckk]

<p>Yes, I’m going to be visiting both (not during admit weekend unfortunately) but I want some information beforehand as well if possible.</p>

[theskylitup]

<p>It might be difficult doing a dual concentration at Harvard.</p>

<p>I believe out of 400ish people doing Government in 2008, only 8 did a dual concentration. </p>

<p>The reason is the difficulty of getting the credits, but moreover the difficulty of writing a final paper which fulfills the requirements for both concentrations. </p>

<p>That’s one of the things I’m considering. I’m struggling between Government at Harvard or Political Science at Yale - I could do a double major in Political Science and History at Yale, but I would struggle to do a dual concentration in Government and History at Harvard. A secondary concentration, however, might be possible.</p>

[Millancad]

<p>I’d go to Yale.</p>

[Mustafah78]

<p>See this website to learn what it is required to declare a joint concentration in Government and another field: [Joint</a> Concentrations | Harvard University - Department of Government](<a href=“http://www.gov.harvard.edu/undergraduate-program/concentration-requirements/joint-concentrations]Joint”>http://www.gov.harvard.edu/undergraduate-program/concentration-requirements/joint-concentrations). It’s a bit involved. Another option is to pursue an interdisciplinary concentration in Social Studies with your focus field as political economy. Or you might find your interests better served by one concentration supplemented by a secondary field. You won’t know what the best option will be until after your first year, because chances are your precise interests will change.</p>

<p>Also, since you’re interested in government, don’t forget that Harvard has the Kennedy School and all the professors and speakers that come with it. Yale has nothing comparable. The Institute of Politics, too, is also a gem of Harvard, and they can hook you up with important speakers, impressive internships, and research assistantships.</p>

[DwightEisenhower]

<p>Unless you’re really, really certain that you want to study X, Y, or Z, you shouldn’t use that as a criterion for choosing. Your anticipated major will probably change, whether you believe it now or not.</p>

<p>With that said, the History department at Harvard doesn’t offer Joint Concentrations with anything except East Asian studies. I know this because I’d jump at the chance to joint concentrate in History and Near Eastern Languages&Civilizations. </p>

<p>I had to choose between Harvard and Yale, so if you want any of my specific thoughts about the choice, PM me.</p>

[gadad]

<p>There’s no clear answer or compelling factor for this question. Either pick is right for a hundred reasons and really has no major downside. My D2 had this choice; the aid was better at Harvard and she liked the setting better, so she’s there. But had the aid factor not been a concern, she’d have been torn and I’m sure that whatever way she went, she would be certain two years later that she’d made the right choice - just as she is now.</p>

[theskylitup]

<p>

Harvard has the Kennedy School and all the professors and speakers that come with it. Yale has nothing comparable. The Institute of Politics, too, is also a gem of Harvard, and they can hook you up with important speakers, impressive internships, and research assistantships.

</p>

<p>True, it’s one of the main things tipping the scales towards Harvard right now. </p>

<p>

With that said, the History department at Harvard doesn’t offer Joint Concentrations with anything except East Asian studies.

</p>

<p>I realised that recently. :(</p>

<p>That’s a reason for Yale. In the mix of History and Political science, I would lean towards a greater interest in History. The double major at Yale is much more straightforward and accommodating. Isn’t Yale the leader in terms of its History faculty/department?</p>

<ul>
<li>Will PM you Dwight :)</li>
</ul>

[theskylitup]

<p>Oooh. This, for example is terribly exciting, and I think quite unparalleled. </p>

<p>[Gov</a> Dept, IOP To Bolster Collaboration | The Harvard Crimson](<a href=“http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/4/2/government-iop-more-department/]Gov”>Gov Dept, IOP To Bolster Collaboration | News | The Harvard Crimson) </p>

<p>

In an effort to bridge the activities of the Government Department and the Institute of Politics, the two groups have embarked on a move toward greater collaboration that would bring more students to events and more guests into classrooms.</p>

<p>In a preliminary meeting on Monday, leaders of the IOP convened with Cheryl B. Welch, director of undergraduate studies in the government department, and Karen Kaletka, the department’s coordinator of undergraduate studies, to synchronize long-term collaborative efforts between the two organizations.</p>

<p>The Government Department and the Institute of Politics have traditionally been viewed as distinctly separate groups, despite the apparent overlap between their academic and intellectual interests.</p>

<p>…

</p>

<p>(Dear OP, perhaps you would find it interesting also - as it relates to the Government major)</p>