<p>Hello all,
I am a HS senior and potential applied math major, torn between applying early to Harvard and Princeton. Since both schools are REA, I can not choose both.
I did some research and I noticed that both schools had a very similar early acceptance rate, but Princeton was more forgiving (5.4% as opposed to Harvard's 3.8%) in the regular acceptance pool.
For me, Harvard is a lovely place with a strong program in applied mathematics that allows students to concentrate in specific areas of applied math-biology, engineering, etc. I am more familiar with the area, and I know it is lively and fun. The housing situation at Harvard is also very appealing to me-freshman dorms followed by "houses."
Princeton has a gorgeous setting in an area which is slightly less familiar for me. I am very drawn to their ORFE (operations research and financial engineering) program, which seems to combine several of the fields I love most. Their housing is a bit more complicated but still seems like I would enjoy it.
Many thanks for all of your help! Best of luck in your application processes.</p>
<p>Both are great schools for applied math. ORFE is a unique program. Princeton has the co-ed eating club social option, where anyone can sign in to a club if they do not want to go through the “punch” clubs. At Harvard, the male-only final clubs only invite 10% of students to join, it is a very competitive process. The Houses try to provide a few social events for their residents, but the party policies are very strict. You may not care, or have time for a thriving social life, though. Both schools have tons of clubs, club sports, and cultural activities. </p>
<p>@ekroxx - statistically, it might make more sense to apply to one over the other, and it does appear that Harvard gives a greater preference to EA applicants, but without knowing the compositions of the two applicants pools, it’s difficult to know if this is really true or not.</p>
<p>It could be that one the schools may perceive you to be a better fit, and this will affect your odds. One of my daughter’s friends was deferred, and ultimately rejected by Yale, but accepted by Harvard. Perhaps both colleges saw her as a candidate that would benefit more from attending Harvard. Or perhaps she in a demographic that was over represented in the Yale applicant pool.</p>
<p>One thing that is clear though - even though the colleges may claim otherwise, the numbers suggest you are more likely to be accepted to the school you apply early to, so research both fully. If possible, visit both (preferably for an overnight visit), then apply to the school you would most like to attend, without concern for your odds.</p>
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What’s also clear is that strong students are accepted in both the SCEA and RD rounds. For example, my son applied SCEA to Yale and was accepted. He was also accepted RD to Princeton (but rejected from Harvard). So it’s possible to be accepted to both Harvard and Princeton in different cycles. However, it sometimes doesn’t seem to make sense why one high-end school likes a particular student while another finds them lacking. You just need to send your applications out into the universe and hope for the best!</p>
<p>“You just need to send your applications out into the universe and hope for the best!”</p>
<p>LOL. Indeed.</p>
<p>@gibby Thank you so much for your advice. I sent them out into the universe roughly a month ago! </p>
<p>^^ Best of luck to you!</p>