However Yale Law ranks among H or S or others, all I’m saying is that this is of no consequence to a person choosing to attend undergrad at Y, H or S.
Based on a sample of many Yale students and a handful of Harvard students, DS disagrees that the kids are “very happy” at Harvard. He reports that, during the weekends around two H-Y games (one at H, the other at Y) that he experienced quite a few H kids wishing they were at Y, but not a single Y kid wishing they were at H. Admittedly a small sample, admittedly a lot of observer bias, etc
DS’s HS and local schools have a fair number of kids at H and Y, including a lifelong friend at H. Again, with the caveats expressed before, DS feels that he landed in the right place. If one insisted on a non-Y school, he might pick Stanford, CMU, CalTech, maybe MIT, etc., but never H.
As others have said I think this comes down to personal taste and which school feels like the best fit, ideally after visiting all three.
To me the most distinctive feature of Yale is the four year residential college system, which facilitates a level of social development and cohesiveness that is pretty unusual if not unique. Yale has a lot of great attributes but this is what’s most distinctive IMO.
Especially for students in CS but also more generally, Stanford provides arguably the best entree to Silicon Valley and the technology industry. To me this is the most distinctive feature of Stanford.
Obviously there are things that Harvard is best in as well.
One of things Yale sent to admitted students last year was an essay by former Dean of Admissions Jeff Brenzel. He said, to paraphrase, we really hope you decide on Yale, but in the end it doesn’t matter that much which strong college a student chooses. What matters much more is what the student makes of the opportunities where he/she ends up. I thought that was a pretty insightful observation.
There are some students at Yale who aren’t all that happy. But I don’t think many of them would believe that they would be happier at Harvard.
I have met somewhere between 50 to 100 Harvard kids. They all seem extremely happy to me. I know Gibbys daughter had a bad experience at Harvard. I hope things work out for her. Harvard and Yale both have the residential college system which is a definitive plus over all other schools
Gibby in post 21 posted a reference to an article in the Crimson. One of the comments to that article from Willaim Morris the fourth reads as follows:
“Why don’t you and your friends just rent an apartment in the Cambridge/ Somerville/ Allston area? I know rents are pretty steep, but they are certainly not impossible. Then you and your buddies can drink beers and throw parties. I can’t think of any colleges that really provide what you are talking about. Who in their right mind would would want undergrads partying in property they own? It only ends in destruction, messes, and liability”
It sounds like some people think Schools should facilitate underage drinking. I guess he was disappointed Harvard wasn’t one of them.
Obviously you cannot go wrong with any of the 3, but to be absolutely honest, for the majority of people nowadays the main dilemma would be between Harvard or Stanford.
Thank to all you have replied in the last few weeks! It is heartwarming to hear all the support and respect for the various schools. I would say I learned a lot from reading your posts and would say the decision is harder than ever! All schools have their unique programs and characteristics, and I am certain I will end up where I feel most fit and happiest.
There are different pros and cons for each school, but I will be as open-minded as possible until the various admit weekends occur. Since all the schools are top-tier, prestige isn’t an issue with me. I am more interested in the opportunities for community service, public/global health, education, urban studies, etc. and will try to learn more about these programs at the various schools.
To be completely honest, I was not really considering Yale, but my interview (which happened after I received my likely) really changed my perspective that I would say that it’s almost even par. The various phone calls/emails with students, alumni, and counselors have been awesome too. I visited Harvard in the middle of a snowstorm and did not have the most fulfilling experience there, but I hope things are better in April for Visitas. I am visiting Stanford in two weeks, and Yale soon after. I have friends at Stanford and not at Yale and Harvard, so I would like I know more about S than the others. I am not sure where I am headed, but your feedback definitely has opened my eyes to really important issues and misconceptions. I would comment directly at you, but there have been more replies than I expected! Thanks again so much!
@proudparent26 - Yale and Harvard definitely do not have the same housing system. Yale’s system randomly places freshmen into their residential college up front. At Harvard, students select their House after freshman year. While I am a die hard Yale alum and would never send my child to Harvard because I know it was not a good “fit”, I also know some very happy kids there. I do understand some of the subtle difference in their happiness which any Yale student can tell you about after a trip to Harvard. Hey, which ever one you can get into, I say go to. Only if you get into both does the question about which one is better come into play.
Go to the admit weekends and let your child decide. She can’t go wrong. It’s like whether you want the BMW 7 series or the Jaguar. If you can afford either one, count yourself blessed.