<p>DD is in the incredibly lucky position of being able to choose between Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. She's interested in international relations. Princeton has the Woodrow Wilson School, Yale seems to have the happiest students, and Harvard has, well, the name. We're looking for other reasons to select Harvard. The idea that "Mother Harvard doesn't coddle her young" is a bit frightening, although DD is a go-getter who isn't particularly intimidated by adults. Can someone with current or recent experience majoring in government weigh in on what the program is like, and how much they've enjoyed Harvard? DD is very social; she doesn't want to spend all of her time in the library stacks. She also likes the idea of "Grand Strategy" courses. Thanks!!</p>
<p>If your DD is smart enough to be admitted to HYP, she should be making the inquiries to help her decide which college best suits her. This thread, another thread you started on Harvard’s Hasty Pudding club, and probably other threads make me think, helicopter parent. DD is going to have to make academic and social choices by herself in college, and the time to start is now.</p>
<p>Thanks, Browniebaker! She’s off at a debate tournament this weekend and is really busy with other commitments all month long. She’ll be visiting all three schools in the upcoming weeks, but I wish she had more time to make her decision. She has never visited Harvard. I am of the opinion that the more information the better, so I am finding out as much information as I can to pass along to her. The final decision will be completely up to her. She doesn’t get much help from her high school, as her counselor has responsibility for hundreds of kids, many of whom are not on the college path. We don’t have the money to hire a college consultant. So I guess I’m the best she’s got. Seems to have worked o.k. so far.</p>
<p>F&F, check out Harvard’s Institute of Politics and Kennedy School of Government. My brother concentrated in Gov and loved it. He now has a great career in a very gov-related field. Feel free to PM me if you want more details. I also think that Harvard “not coddling her young” is outdated…may have been true in the 80s and earlier but is less true now. Okay, no coddling, but more support than before. Good luck to you and your DD–it’s clear you want the best for her!</p>
<p>My DD had a great experience with the Gov department and the Institute of Politics. The students have an active governing board at the IOP to select politicians, international gov speakers and visiting fellows. The IOP speakers and fellows hold their speeches and small seminars after class hours, and often those experiences outshine classes. The IOP has listings of fabulous summer programs in DC, and some grants are available.</p>
<p>Princeton’s Woody Woo school is great too, somewhat smaller, but they have the same great caliber of guest speakers and fellows. Woodrow Wilson School now accepts all Princeton undergrads, previously they only allowed around 90 students per year to enter the program.</p>
<p>As for the lack of coddling, most Harvard students are ambitious , motivated and do fine without it. </p>
<p>Undergrads can also enroll in some HKS grad level gov classses.</p>