<p>I want to major in physics and was wondering how physics@MIT compared to physics@Harvard (in terms of research opportunities, difficulty of courses...). I know that MIT is very strong in physics and of course will offer a very intense education filled with research opportunities. But I don't know much about Harvard. Is it a good idea to attend Harvard and take courses at MIT on the side (through the exchange program) or attend MIT and take Harvard courses on the side?</p>
<p>I'm no expert but I would say that MIT has one of the best (if not the best) physics department in the country.</p>
<p>It seems like MIT is very focused on applications: applied science and engineering. I'm more into theoretical physics and was wondering if Harvard was more focused on pure science and MIT, on applied.</p>
<p>actually, the physics dept itself is often characterized as fairly theoretical; the emphasis on applications comes from classes in other majors, should you choose to take them. i'm no expert either, but i am a physics major, ish; i'd recommend coming here and cross-registering at harvard if you see a need, but i'm pretty sure we'll do a decent job of obliging your interests :) as for actual difficulty and research opportunities, i do know (from talking to a fellow studying physics at harvard) that the content of the first year, at least, is different b/c their physics I and II classes are full of physics majors, while ours are required for everyone...but can't really tell you much beyond that.</p>
<p>Thanx acinommta. I sort of wanted to start my on thread on this topic, because I was admitted to both MIT and Harvard (+Stanford), and at this point I would like to major in physics.</p>
<p>I can't wait to hear some other opinions :)</p>
<p>Honestly, once you step into a certain caliber of schools, the quality of education you will receive from a specific department is no longer contingent on the tiny differences between the two schools and their faculties, but on the individual student himself. Both schools, MIT AND Harvard can provide you with a top top notch education in physics - the potential is there - but it's absolutely up to you to make the best of it. </p>
<p>That being said, I'm not at EITHER school yet, but...</p>
<p>In terms of difficulty, my vote goes to MIT - its physics majors came from all over the world to learn physics from MIT, while Harvards' physics majors came from all over the world to attend Harvard University (probably the most prestigious school in the world).</p>
<p>In terms of opportunities in research, I would probably have to go with MIT on this one as well - MIT has the UROP program, which encourages participation from even the students who have never been exposed to research before. Harvard, on the other hand, has every resource available for the students to use, but requires the kids to do a little more legwork to get them. On my tour at Harvard, some parent asked about the research opportunities available and the student guide responded with something like, they're there, you just have to look a little harder, no one is going to be there to hold your hand. So here's the asterisk: though MIT is more supportive and encouraging when it comes to undergrad research, a highly-motivated, determined (and hopefully somewhat experienced) student who is not afraid to take risks should have NO trouble finding projects to work on at both schools.</p>
<p>It is harder to cross-register between the schools than you would probably think. The schedules are very different, meaning you would need to come back from vacations early to begin classes at the other school and begin your vacations late to end other classes. I believe the Harvard finals for the fall semester are taken during MIT's winter break. Keep in mind, it's also quite a trek to make a few times a week.</p>
<p>MIT is a school for math and science, while Harvard is much better known for its liberal arts and humanities. More attention would naturally be paid to MIT's physics department than Harvard's - though I would expect the quality of both programs to be comparable. In terms of depth... I honestly wouldn't know, I have yet to glance at a Harvard course catalog.</p>
<p>To me, the top few schools in the country are pretty much equals in terms of academics. For sciences, I'd rate MIT above its counterparts (= for Caltech), for humanities, I'd rate Yale above the others (this one is more subjective :P). It all balances out in the end. What you might lose in terms of depth, you'd gain in terms of breadth (where did I get that?) - though MIT is working hard on the latter as well.</p>
<p>Sorry for the long post, I'm kind of thinking this through for myself as well. Basically, you can't go "wrong" academically at any of these schools. Though Harvard practices grade-inflation, I wouldn't expect their classes to be much LESS work (correct me?) than those of MIT. What I generally consider long and hard are the student bodies of these schools. A certain type of student is attracted to a certain type of school full of the other similar types of students (who had, in turn, made the same decision to attend). In the end, you get two schools of similar caliber with vastly different student bodies and attitudes (since attitudes are highly contagious). We are as much shaped personally by the schools we attend as academically - just keep that in mind as you make your decisions this spring :D</p>
<p>Signing out :P</p>
<p>-Lulu</p>
<p>"Honestly, once you step into a certain caliber of schools, the quality of education you will receive from a specific department is no longer contingent on the tiny differences between the two schools and their faculties, but on the individual student himself. Both schools, MIT AND Harvard can provide you with a top top notch education in physics - the potential is there - but it's absolutely up to you to make the best of it."</p>
<p>That pretty much hits the spot.</p>
<p>I would actually decide between these two colleges based on what ELSE you want to learn in college. At Harvard, you'll be required to take more humanities classes, whereas at MIT the focus will be on science and engineering.</p>
<p>If you want a broader education, I would suggest Harvard, but if you want a more science-intensive curriculum, I would say MIT. Either way, you can't go wrong.</p>
<p>of course, while they may not be of quite the same caliber as those at harvard, don't think you won't get humanities classes here, too. many of them taught by professors who graduated from harvard, in my experience :)</p>
<p>MIT's physics department is more focused on experimental physics than theoretical physics. Until Wilczek this past year, MIT had no Nobel Prizes in theoretical physics.</p>
<p>"What I generally consider Long and Hard are the student bodies of these schools"</p>
<p>the filth</p>
<p>With my mind now cleansed I can now add
"MIT's physics department is more focused on experimental physics than theoretical physics. Until Wilczek this past year, MIT had no Nobel Prizes in theoretical physics."</p>
<p>I dont think that really suggest anything about MIT being more focused on experimental physics, alot of the physics nobel prizes have been given in experimental work. good theoretical work doesnt come as often. Any University with faculty which are receiving a fair amount nobel prizes are bound to have most of them be on experimental work.</p>
<p>I hope we can all agree that in terms of the education one will receive, both schools are virtually equal. This in mind, shouldn't you be more focused on the campus life? MIT and Harvard can be very different places in terms of their culture and atmosphere, figure out which one is the place for you, and the top notch education will already be there.</p>
<p>Wherever you go you'll get an amazing education; don't try to choose your school on the basis of the academic quality alone, try to pick the one where you'll be happiest at. =)</p>
<p>MIT vs Harvard.......the story of my life these days. I'm an aspiring Neuroscientist. Can you say the same thing about preparation for this field as you can about Physics? </p>
<p>Also, frankenchris1, can you pleasee go on to describe the "culture and atmosphere" at MIT and at Harvard?</p>
<p>um. you'd likely be interested in course 9, brain and cognitive science, and/or biology (7). BCS is a rather flexible major, and putting together an excellent neuroscience degree is possible, tho more work than the "average" 9 program (so says a friend of mine who's in 9). as for the difference in atmosphere and culture between MIT and harvard...what it's like here is the subject of many a thread. go to.</p>
<p>I know this thread was posted 5 years ago, and probably acinommta is now in 1 of those universities. but anyone knows anything about the differences in grad programs?</p>
<p>hi.i did a bit of research on my own,and fr what i get harvard and mit are the top 2 physics universities in the world.i’ve read many articles bout how gud they are,bt i juz cnt make up my mind which one’s btr! =( can anyone pls clarify 4 me whether harvard or mit is btr in THEORETICAL PHYSICS? i mean,in the pure sciences?</p>
<p>TQTQ</p>
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<p>wht do u hv against vwls? </p>
<p>srsly</p>
<p>^ I am going to have to request rights to copy and paste that response whenever someone does that again.</p>
<p>re the response: ditto</p>