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Harvard is the best university in the world.
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That's a sweeping generalization. Someone's been drinking the Kool Aid...</p>
<p>I don't have anything against Harvard and it's obviously one of the best, but seriously...how can anyone claim Harvard is the best hands down at everything above all else? Harvard does NOT offer the best undergraduate academic experience (or social experience) and I don't think Harvard has ever claimed to.</p>
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Like you said it would give you a distinguished qualification wherever you go in the world
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globalstudent, UChicago also has a really good reputation for social sciences (in economics, it ranks higher and is more highly regarded, for example), which makes the prestige issue a bit of a wash. Yes, the Harvard degree has a lot of street recognition, but that isn't what it's all about: it's also about the weight the name "UChicago social sciences education" carries among grad schools and employers.</p>
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Think how lucky you are
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Lucky not to be blinded by prestige.</p>
<p>I realize it probably sounds like I am working for UChicago but I don't go there and don't plan to...frankly I can't stand the pretentiousness or attitude toward learning there :( It's really only for a specific type of person, which I am not and the OP is.</p>
<p>So, I know this girl who's a sophomore now at UChi. She turned down Harvard, and has never regretted the decision; looking back on it, in fact, she's proud of turning down Harvard. I think the key point is here:</p>
<p>"Harvard does NOT offer the best undergraduate academic experience (or social experience) and I don't think Harvard has ever claimed to."</p>
<p>Take UChicago. Enjoy yourself, and you'll never regret it.</p>
<p>If you were one of the top students at Harvard in econ, you could probably go to Chicago for grad school. I don't know if grad school is in your plans, but it might be something to think about.</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>Chicago has more Nobel laureates than any school in the Americas. That means more than Harvard. </p>
<p>And Bill Clinton doing a commencement speech is nothing special. </p>
<p>If all things were equal, I would go to Chicago in a heartbeat. But that extra $6500 a year adds up to a lot, and my parents will not be paying it. </p>
<p>Anybody have any perspectives to add on student life at these three schools?</p>
<p>You mean the two other schools I'm using between? :D Rice and Harvard.</p>
<p>In my perfect world, I would forget about them too. </p>
<p>MallomarCookie, just curious, why are you turning down Chicago then? I remember a while about on the WashU boards, and you said you going to Duke.</p>
<p>Chicago isn't a good fit for me. I've visited and met a lot of people from there and while it's definitely a great education...I just wouldn't fit in or enjoy it.</p>
<p>future employers will be more impressed by harvard, obviously......but if you plan on living in chicago, the two might be looked at <em>more</em> equally. plus, it sounds like you'll be a lot happier at chicago.</p>
<p>i agree with a7, 6k is nothing in the long run.</p>
<p>Go to Chicago. Their Econ department is up there with Caltech, for crying out loud, if that is what you want to study. Also, remember, if you turn down Harvard because it isn't the best fit for you, another kid for whom it is the perfect fit might get in instead. Turn it down, and go where you love.</p>
<p>I think it was in Loren Pope's book, "40 Colleges That Change Lives," he mentions that kids who get into Harvard are awesome kids (obviously), but it's what happens once you're in college that counts. You (or your parents) aren't just paying for the "name"; you're paying for an education as well. Where will you get the better education?</p>
<p>In my experience, most Harvard grads I've met have been verrrrrrrry satisfied with themselves because they went to Harvard. In my experience, most UofC grads I've met have been among the most driven, intellectually curious people I know. (Don't flame me; that's just in my experience. I don't know all Harvard grads or all Chicago grads. I know about five people from each school!!)</p>
<p>Presumably you've visited both campuses. Presumably you've examined the courses offered and the professors teaching in the field(s) you're interested in. Presumably you've investigated how much you'd actually interact with those professors. Presumably you've evaluated the cities and what's available in them both. Presumably you've taken into account the fact that Chicago is a plane-ride away.</p>
<p>These are two very different opportunities. There is no BAD choice.</p>
<p>its harvard...i dont think its good idea to follow your feeling...lets think this way..if you thought you had some chance at harvard, would you not consider hardvard as yo dream school??</p>
<p>dnduswo--I never considered Harvard my dream school. I personally never even wanted to go to Harvard except for a brief period of what can only be called insanity in 8th grade and a few hours after getting the acceptance package. Maybe this was just a childish backlash against the whole prestige thing, but Harvard was never the school I wanted to attend. Though it is my PARENT'S dream school. </p>
<p>That said, that doesn't mean I can't be happy at Harvard.</p>
<p>This is pretty hard. With the average Joe, prestige wise, there's no comparison. However, in academic circles and grad schools they are definitely on par. Chicago holds a few departments above Harvard (as well as visa versa) and is known for giving one of the most hardcore and thoroughly transforming educations in the world. Intellectual bootcamp of sorts. It doesn't fit everyone - in fact, its probably many people's idea of hell - but for those who it seems to fit (such as yourself)... well, its perfect. </p>
<p>Of course, while we all want to pretend we're better than this, its hard to turn away an education that can blow people away and doors wide open with a single name. "Harvard" You'll get an amazing education in both institutions. So either way there's not much to lose. In the grand scheme of things, 6k is very little.</p>
<p>First of all, I had a shot at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford and MIT. I chose to apply to Stanford because I liked the school. I chose not to apply to any of the other ones because I didn't like them. If I got into Stanford, I would have had to make the tough decision between Penn and Stanford, and would have chosen Stanford not because of the name or the prestige, but because I liked it better.</p>
<p>Yale was my dream school for a while, but that was when I was uninformed about the college process and to go where you felt happier. I learned about the college process, and realized I didn't like Yale or Harvard.</p>
<p>So the fact that it's Harvard should in no way be the deciding factor... Both U Chicago and Harvard are great schools and you should choose to go where you will be happier, because after all, you will be spending four years there and being miserable (huge overstatement) at Harvard is not better than being content at UChicago.</p>
<p>As far as the 6k, it's really not that much more in the end. You could apply for a couple of scholarships to lighten the burden. You're obviously capable of getting a few (You got into UChicago, after all)</p>
<p>First of all, this should be your decision. I wouldn't let a bunch of misinformed people decide such a momentous decision for yourself. If you think Chicago is a better fit, by all means, go for it. However, just take this into consideration, I venture to say that 95 percent of the people commenting on this board, given your situation, would unquestionable choose Harvard. So take that into consideration....</p>
<p>Interesting you say that NUGrad because most people in the thread so far have said Chicago. But of course, for any random sample of people, I know Harvard would be the no brainer. </p>
<p>I just discussed this a bit with my parents, and they are absolutely unyielding about me going to Harvard. =/</p>