<p>A bit of a repost, sorry, but I would like to hear some more opinions. Added some new thoughts too. </p>
<p>I went into the whole application process totally ignoring the prestige factor, and I really only applied to Harvard because my parents made me. </p>
<p>Harvard: I spent so long thinking "There is no way I'm going to Harvard! Even if I get in" and was basking in the gratification of turning down Harvard. But it's hard. It's Harvard for god's sake. It has world class programs in everything I will want to study. I'll be close to home, and I'll already know a few people there. At the same time, I want to get away from all this familiarity and completely start over for college. Still, I know Harvard will open many doors for me simply because of it's name. Same reason why my parents will pay for Harvard no matter what.</p>
<p>Chicago: This was my dream school for almost two years. After being accepted EA, I was all psychologically ready to go to Chicago and all of my friends still think I am. I love the city, I love the culture, I love Doc Films. However, with other options in front of me, I'm beginning to see some flaws I had missed. The big sinker is that it's expensive, about 6k more a year than Harvard, and I doubt my parents are willing to pay full freight for it.</p>
<p>Rice: I decided to apply on Dec 29, and it's so ironic that I'm seriously considering it now. I got a great merit aid package ($74k + guaranteed research), and I love the undergrad focus and smaller size. BUT, I'm probably going to end up studying social sciences (esp econ), and Chicago and Harvard have top top programs from that while Rice isn't that distinguished in that field. At the same time, my major is pretty tentative, but it probably will not be science. I also have concerns being from New England and going to a school that is half Texans.</p>
<p>The financial situation is that we can "afford" both Harvard and Chicago if we skimp and save. But the extra 6k for Chicago will be hard to eke out not to mention that my parents are unwilling to.</p>
<p>Chicago. You sound like you really like it. Chicago's an AMAZING city too, and the change of scenery and being far away from home will be a very worthwhile experience in and of itself</p>
<p>Another vote for the University of Chicago. Seriously, it's one of the BEST undergraduate educations in the world. As far as grad school/jobs a good GPA from Chicago will be MORE respected than a good GPA from Harvard. Chicago's kind of my dream school, so I may be biased, but for someone like you who really feels a connection with the place, I'd say go for it.</p>
<p>To give you a little bit more info on Rice...I don't think that you will find the fact that half the student body is from Texas as a very concerning factor. This state is quite large and different sections of the state have different personalities. People here are also quite friendly (for the most part) and will welcome you as if you have lived in Texas your whole life (there are a few exceptions to this rule, but I would say that that is true of any population). If you are worried about political views, I can assure you that not all Texans are conservative Bush-backers (and certainly not at Rice). </p>
<p>Rice also has a decent Econ dept, but I would say that Chicago and Harvard are the better departments. I will say this: at least here in Texas, if you get a degree from Rice in ANYTHING, it is highly regarded.</p>
<p>As for the cities, I would say that Harvard has the best location...being in Cambridge and having Boston right there. U Chicago is located in a great city, but to be honest, it's not in the best section of town. As for Rice, it's located in Rice Village, which I see as the only redeeming part of the otherwise horrible city of Houston (some people love Houston, but I don't know why). </p>
<p>My advice to you is to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each school along with how comfortable you fit at each. Consider whether or not you want to go to grad school; if you do, you may want to take the best financial deal so you can save up. </p>
<p>It sounds like you have some great choices. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>If you love U Chicago, go there. Yes, Harvard is Harvard, but that doesn't mean it's the best undergrad enviorment possible...many would argue that it is anything but. But more to the the point, these are all great schools, and you should go where you will be happiest. It's not like you are turning it down for Unknown U...Chicago is a fantastic school that will open many doors.</p>
<p>PS. I know people who turned down Harvard for Wesleyan (argurably a bigger jump in many people's minds) because they liked Wes better, and they all think it was one of the best choices of their lives. They all had a gut feeling that they would be happy at Wes in a way they wouldn't be at Harvard...and they are. It sounds like the same will be true for you and U Chicago.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. </p>
<p>Location-wise, Chicago personally wins for me. I've lived in MA since elementary school, and I'm already pretty familiar with Boston and Cambridge. (I used to live in Cambridge too.) I'm really looking forward to a change of scenery, as xcjimmy said. I know Rice is a great school, but I'm probably am not staying in Texas for the rest of my life. Most likely, I'll be returning to the East Coast or going to the Midwest. </p>
<p>I think Chicago is THE perfect fit, though unfortunately other factors have to be taken into consideration. Grad school is likely but not definite at this point, so I don't know. May 1 is coming up all too soon. =/</p>
<p>Go to Chicago. Be happy and get a great education! The undergraduate education at Harvard is nowhere near as intellectual or rewarding. Take a glimpse at the Crimson and its articles to get a taste of Harvard undergrad life and attitudes.</p>
<p>Op, Are You Crazy??? Turning Down Harvard, The Number One University In The World To Go To U Of C????????????</p>
<p>Harvard Has Bill Clinton Coming To Campus To Give The Commencement Speech??? Harvard Has Stars Coming All The Time And Your Peers Are The Best And The Brightest In The World.!!!! C</p>
<p>Chicago Is Just Where Quirky Kids Go Who Study Hard.</p>
<p>I think it's clear that you'd get the best academic experience/education at UChicago. You want to do social sciences; in academic fields like that (assuming you plan to go to grad school or otherwise enter academia), UChicago opens many doors. It looks like the main reason you have for choosing Harvard is prestige, familiarity, and parents. Be honest with yourself: are those good reasons to choose a college or abandon a dream?</p>
<p>Harvard is the best institution of learning in the world. You are around the best and the brightest all day. The only people that can't admit that are the people that didn't get in...like current U of C students.</p>
<p>??? I can see why you would say that about most other colleges but not the University of Chicago...? I don't even go to or ever plan to go to UChicago and I know you're wrong...</p>
<p>Well-known where? Certainly not in academia or among employers.</p>
<p>I would say UChicago if you really love it that much. plus you want to study econ you said. Right? I read somewhere (sorry for the lack of a source) that an economics degree from University of Chicago is supposed to be the most prestigious degree one can earn. Even better than Harvard.</p>
<p>Ok I know everyone is saying u should go to University of Chicago. But think about it this way, Harvard is the best university in the world. Like you said it would give you a distinguished qualification wherever you go in the world, it's not as expensive as UOC, your parents are willing to pay. I could go on and on. Also, you mentioned wanting a completely knew experience. You'll be leaving I presume on campus. Your parents and other relations won't be there. Think about the chance you have. I know a girl who got like 10 A*, pretty much assured to get her 4As to get into Cambridge, and her mum a) does not want her to do medicine even though it's what she wants to do and b) is pretty much refusing to let her go if she gets in caus it's too far...we live in London, that's only university wise 2/3hrs away!!!!. Think how lucky you are</p>