<p>Okay. So check this out: I want to go into the arts. I would love to go into any type of arts, but in particular I am interesting in animation/film/creative writing or screen writing. BUT I feel like I would look a really strong academic curriculum to back up my study in the arts. I want to greatly improve my artistic skills so that when going to graduate school (or any other kind of school), I will be prepared. I also plan on studying animation and digital media on the side on my own. I didn't apply to art schools because I don't have the money, and I don't think I'm at that level yet.</p>
<p>Here are the schools I got accepted into: </p>
<p>1) Harvard University
2) Pomona College
3) Amherst College
4) Hendrix College
5) Cornell University
6) Brown University
7) New York University</p>
<p>I don't know what to do. I really didn't think I would get into Harvard. I think Harvard would give me so many opportunities...But I think I may like small liberal arts colleges more. I am kind of in love with Pomona (I've yet to visit), but I also think Brown has a really strong art department. Also, I could take cross-courses at Brown at RISD!</p>
<p>But how could I reject Harvard? It doesn't even sound right. What would you do? I am visiting Cornell and Amherst in two weeks. I am also going to try and visit Pomona...</p>
<p>Should I also think about where I could go for graduate school?</p>
<p>a lot of academy award winning filmmakers, actors, and animators went to harvard.</p>
<p>i'm in a similar position to you -- it's not so much where the best program is sometimes, but rather what you make of the program available to you at any school.</p>
<p>at the end of the day it's your choice. in the film business though, it does help to have connections -- something harvard will undoubtedly provide you with.</p>
<p>Honest answer: you should go to the school that fits you best, but in my opinion, you'd be missing a great opportunity if you don't go to Harvard, Amherst or Brown, among those you listed. Do some research. Look at the actual programs, the courses offered, the internships people do, etc.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, of course, Harvard is Harvard. Go there unless you find a really good reason to go to one of the others.</p>
<p>take a step back. if harvard wasnt HARVARD, would you still want to go? does it have everything you want in a school? search some threads by curmudgeon, a poster on this board whose daughter turned down YALE for rhodes college. harvard's yield rate is not even close to 100%, so you wouldnt be the only one in the world to ever turn it down. go visit, and decide what you think would be best for YOU.</p>
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but I also think Brown has a really strong art department. Also, I could take cross-courses at Brown at RISD!
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</p>
<p>My D is a first-year at Brown and will concentrate (major) in Visual Art. She loves the school in general, and the art department in particular. She was initially very excited about the possibility of taking classes at RISD, and she still may do that, but at this point she says that the VA dept at Brown is so good that she might not have to do that.</p>
<p>I suggest that you go visit these schools, look over their departments and you can tell a lot from the work that you will see, and the way you feel on these campuses, now that you have been accepted at them. It will feel different having been accepted than it did when you were just hoping. You will be able to make a decision! Congratulations-- this is quite a wonderful accomplishment!</p>
<p>Harvard or Amherst, but I still vote for Harvard-->
1. Unbeatable prestige in the world.
2. Recruiting
3. Relatively good grade inflation.
4. Best sheepskin money can buy.</p>
<p>it comes down to what you want ultimately, but at the end of the day, people change, you may hate any one of these schools by the time you graduate, but if you goto Harvard, you get a Harvard diploma.</p>
<p>Wow, thanks for the feedback. This helped me a lot. I wasn't sure if anyone was going to comment XD</p>
<p>SO I think I have it down to Harvard, Pomona, and Amherst. And to be honest, I think at this point I would only go to Pomona because I really want to be in California..</p>
<p>It kills me to say this (I'm a Johns Hopkins alum) but I've observed over the years the truth of this statment: Of the colleges you are considering, only one gives you a Harvard degree. You probably would have a better time and maybe even learn more at Amherst (I don't know enough about Pomona to comment), but Amherst won't give you a Harvard degree. </p>
<p>Fair or not, that degree is instant credibility.</p>
<p>I would say go to the school that fits your interests the most, but that's cuz I'm a lib arts person. lol
the previous posts are true...harvard is harvard and you'll only get a harvard diploma from...HARVARD. but i don't think that you are making any STUPIDER decision by choosing some other school. after all, college is what you make out of it, and all of your colleges/unis do have prestige although harvard is...global. if you really feel like you want to go to a very prestigious school like harvard (although again, all of your schools are prestigious) then why dont you try going to harvard for grad school and go to pomona or wherever you want to go for undergrad?
but it's all up to you. congrats on your acceptances!! :)</p>