Harvard vs. Yale?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>This may seem like a happy (and perhaps show-offy) dilemma, but I really, really am torn and confused. I got into both, and, having visited both schools, am more confused than ever. </p>

<p>I liked the atmosphere/campus of Yale better than Harvard (I don't know.. it seemed like it was friendlier at New Haven than at Cambridge, but then again, I only stayed for about a day at both so I may have seen only a piece of each school).</p>

<p>But as a biology major (I am hoping to go to medical school after finishing my undergrad), I also think Harvard may be a better choice than Yale.. and besides, Harvard is offering a bit more financial aid than Yale. </p>

<p>I have friends at Harvard (both of whom have told me to come to Harvard, no bias, of course), but do not know anyone at Yale (but the people were so friendly when I visited..).</p>

<p>The admissions officers at Yale have told me that barely anyone from Yale undergrad gets accepted to Yale grad schools, and, asking around, Harvard seems to have more undergrads going into its grad/medical schools than Yale.. (.... can anyone confirm this? I tried doing some research but came up with nothing)</p>

<p>I've tried making a pro-con list, talked to people at both schools/visited classes and dorms at both, and even tried flipping a coin to see where I should go. </p>

<p>It's so difficult to choose one over the other. =/</p>

<p>I don't want the "prestige" to factor into my decision more than the quality of education and life I would have for the next four years.</p>

<p>Can you please give me any advices? Especially from current Harvard and Yale students? I would greatly appreciate it if you can please tell me if there is anything you DON'T like about your school. (I am also posting this question to "Harvard" and "Yale" sections of CC..) I welcome all other inputs, as well!</p>

2

<p>Yale is known for being more aware of its undergraduate student life–the residential colleges are a great example of this (and certainly something to look into). </p>

<p>What I’m a bit confused about is that you want to go to Harvard because it has a better bio program…but you want to go to Yale for grad school?</p>

3

<p>Sorry for the confusion…
I only put that bit of information there just because I heard it and… well, I thought I should.</p>

<p>I do want to get into top medical schools, of course, but don’t have a specific target school yet. Personally, I don’t think I would enjoy spending 8+years at the same school anyway, so I guess that doesn’t really matter.</p>

<p>But I am concerned about: which school will help me get into top medical schools? I am sure undergrads from both schools have a high chance of getting into a medical schoo, but which school do you think is better for an undergraduate student to get into his/her TOP-choice medical school?</p>

4

<p>It sounds like you liked the atmosphere more at Yale. If this is true, go there. Any differences in grad school opportunities, prestige, etc at these schools is negligible. Go where you will be happy and you will NOT regret your decision. </p>

<p>Honestly, I would never send my kid to Harvard. I think people go to Harvard because they love telling people they go to Harvard and thinking that they go to Harvard. I think that Yale (though definitely not lacking prestige whores) has a much greater population of students who attend because they truly love Yale. And that’s important when you’re trying to find a place where students are happy. </p>

<p>My advice:

  1. Go wherever you’ll be happy.
  2. You’ll probably be happier at Yale.</p>
5

<p>Here is the CC generated list of reasons to attend Harvard:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064589669-post178.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064589669-post178.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;