<p>Not that I could get in, but is there any truth to this?</p>
<p>Some would say that Harvard’s level of interaction with professors, average class size, and the presence of many grad students would preclude Harvard from being the best undergrad experience and education.</p>
<p>Some would say that major universities like Princeton and (fill in the blank) offer a more undergrad-centered education.</p>
<p>And then there are liberal arts colleges (LACs), which feature an entirely undergrad-centered atmosphere: very small classes, great interaction with professors, and any research possibilities go to undergrads, because there are very few, or no, grad students with whom the undergrads compete.</p>
<p>Of course, by any measure, Harvard’s is among the top undergrad educations anywhere, and certainly among the most prestigious.</p>
<p>A gigantic name – you take that degree anywhere in the developed world and it holds major recognition and weight. </p>
<p>Is it the <em>best</em> though? Probably among the best, but superlatives can only be found by consensus among those in the game… and that will never happen.</p>
<p>As a detached observer, if I had to rank Harvard’s undergrad education… I’d say top-15 in the US. Given all the great schools that actually put much more weight on their undergrads, that is saying something. I would only put a few more national universities in my top-15… most would be LACs.</p>
<p>Well that is a relative statement. Sure Harvard is one of the top school but there are many other very good schools as well. Harvard is definitely ONE of the best schools for undergrads but not it really depends on your major, finances, circumstances, preferences, ect.</p>
<p>What does it mean to be “best for undergraduates” anyway?</p>
<p>I’ve heard that you don’t go to Harvard for the best undergrad education, but to spend four years with the brightest, most interesting people. In a sense maybe not the “best education” but a great investment and an amazing time.</p>
<p>I heard that Harvard students don’t pay much attention to vague generalities or stereotypes.</p>
<p>^LOL because there’re too many to pay attention to?</p>
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<p>Good question! I always wondered how people judged what’s best for undergrads, because Harvard is actually one of the universities in the country with the smallest average class size (as in 3/4 of the classes have <20 people), and a residential house system that’s meant to promote smaller close-knit communities.</p>
<p>Bump.
All very fascinating.</p>