<p>Well, Harvard is nothing to be (too) blue about.</p>
<p>I vote Chicago. Harvard is on the way out</p>
<p>No really, don't take what "95%" of people would do, if they would do it unquestionably just based on the name. That would be stupid. People who do that are the ones who ignore the actual institutions themselves and just ride on the stigma attached to the name. You're not attending the name, you're attending the university. It's a holistic experience that can't be summed up in just a name. Go with what the school that fits you best.</p>
<p>as a chi-town native; trust me, you will not regret your decision if you attend UChicago.</p>
<p>The kid said his parents are forcing him to choose Harvard.</p>
<p>incubyte -- you have mentioned several times that the $6,000 is a real problem. my guess is that your parents will already be scraping the barrel to pay for Harvard and the additional money will just be too much. </p>
<p>I would say that both schools will give you an excellent education and get you a good job or into grad school (provided you work hard). </p>
<p>the only two deciding factors is that you think U of C will give you a better experience and get you out of the familiar and that your parents won't pay the additional 6K.</p>
<p>Have you visited both schools, sat in on classes, stayed a night in the dorms, etc?</p>
<p>have you asked Chicago to increase the financial aid -- let them know parents will insist on Harvard if they don't?</p>
<p>If you have to take out loans of $6K each years (probably more for later years) versus having parents pay all at Harvard, I would say go to Harvard. Do you really think you like U of C enough to graduate with $30,000 worth of loans versus Harvard and no debt?</p>
<p>If you think 6k a year is a problem but really want to go to Chicago, (in case) you might wish to send a mail to the Chicago financial aid office and explain your situation, telling them that you're trying to decide between the two schools and that the extra $6000 is a real problem for you. Convey your enthusiasm and your desire for Chicago, and I'm sure they'll add to your financial aid package.</p>
<p>incubyte: If this happen to be my child. I would have told we pay iff you go to Harvard. U of Chicago or Rice you are on your own.</p>
<p>It doesn't make sense to give up Harvard for U of Chicago.</p>
<p>yeah, I do not understand what is going on here. Do you realize that probably for every 100 cross admits to Chicago and Harvard, I would say that 99 choose Harvard. And one thing is if Chicago was cheaper, it is more expensive, and you still want to choose it over Harvard.....</p>
<p>From what you say, I think I'd pick UChicago. You've gotten into Harvard, that's a huge accomplishment, be proud. However, getting through Chicago seems like a much more challenging accomplishment than getting through Harvard. </p>
<p>ParentOfIvyHope, that's really awful. You would seriously cut off your own kid for turning down Harvard for UChicago? My heart bleeds for your kids. They must be under sooo much stress.</p>
<p>Academics: Harvard >= Chicago
Money-wise: Harvard > Chicago (30k debt is not nothing)
Logistics: H-square > Hyde Park, by extension, Cambridge/Boston > Chicago</p>
<p>I am a fan of the University of Chicago. But in this case, it seems choosing Harvard would be more sensible, logical, responsible, practical…...</p>
<p>my sisters bfs little brother did this..he got a scholarship(10k/yr..) to URedlands and exceptance to U of San Diego and a few others(i think w/ one or 2 of them w/ scholarships) but those were his 2 top school.. he liked USD the most he will be 40k dollars in debt at the end but he says its what he wants do what u really want</p>
<p>I grew up on the campus of the U of Chicago. My parents met there, I lived two blocks from campus for 20+ years, and my parents still live there. I'm very attached to it. I also went to Harvard.</p>
<p>It sounds like the two schools will be equal academically for you, but in my experience, the campus life at Chicago pales in comparison to Harvard. In terms of music, politics, drama, journalism, etc., there's a LOT more going on at Harvard. Maybe none of that seems important to you, but I think you should experience it before you conclude that it doesn't matter. Also, take it from a Hyde Park native who finally gave up and moved north: Chicago is a fabulous city, but it is not always easy, or cheap, for a U of C undergrad to take advantage of everything it has to offer. At Harvard, it's much, much easier for undergrads to enjoy Boston.</p>
<p>I DON'T say that no one should turn down Harvard for Chicago. I DO say that no one should turn down Harvard for Chicago without attending the admitted students' weekend, or at least doing an overnight visit during term time. If you sample both and you still want Chicago, then I say go with Chicago 100%.</p>
<p>Choose the University of Chicago.</p>
<p>Rabban, I'm not sure I agree with "Academics: Harvard >= Chicago"...
It's been my experience, from seeing people at both places, that Chicago offers a considerably more interesting, enjoyable, and research-ful (not a word) experience, depending on what you're actually interested in majoring in.</p>
<p>Obviously go to the school that most closely resembles Hogwarts. (That would be Chicago.)</p>
<p>I would personally choose harvard in your situation. i think that the opportunities you would have at harvard are greater than those at chicago, imo. plus harvard isn't as expensive. i have also heard that chicago has no social life at all, so take that into consideration if it's important to you (not that harvard has a great social scene).</p>
<p>I would give Harvard a shot. Unless you visited and hated it.</p>
<p>I don't know about UChicago having "no social life." I mean, we're comparing it to Harvard, here. A fun happy and social student body is not Harvard's strong point. I'd argue that this issue is a tie.</p>
<p>University of Chicago.</p>
<p>An undergraduate education at U of C is matched by none other.</p>