<p>I'm a high school senior and (like all other high school seniors) I'm trying to decide where I want to apply to college.</p>
<p>So basically, I'm really interested in biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, etc. And, well, I see that Harvard has all three of these majors but I'm not quite sure if science is Harvard's strong suit. This leads to the question of the moment...</p>
<p>How is science at Harvard?</p>
<p>Is it a priority? Any of the above three majors very popular? What are the classes and other students like? What do most people in these majors plan to do with their lives after college (med school, resesarch, academia)? In essence, are these types of science well-regarded at Harvard?</p>
<p>Harvard is absolutely phenomenal in the natural sciences.
It's only peers are MIT, Stanford, Caltech, and Berkeley for natural sciences. Harvard is ranked in the top 5 in almost every natural science discipline (though it is relatively not as strong in engineering).</p>
<p>That said, at the UNDERGRAD level, virtually any school in the top 30
will give you an equally outstanding education... the differences in rankings only matters at the PhD level. So you should find the school that is the best personal fit and not worry so much about specific rankings... use them ONLY as a ROUGH guide.</p>
<p>So if another school (in the top 30 or so national universities) is not <em>exactly</em> up to par with Harvard and MIT in a certain discipline, I shouldn't rule it out? I should be looking more at personal fit and things like that? I loved Harvard but I shouldn't cross out other schools based on particular rankings in a certain discipline in science...?</p>
<p>If this is true, I'm very comforted right now.</p>
<p>You probably cannot find a better collection of graduate programs in the fields you indicated than at Harvard. Particularly since the medical school also provides strength in these areas. That said, for an undergrad, I completely agree that lots of places will give you a good foundation. If you find one that fits you better, even if it does not have the same collection of world famous scientists, then that would be a better place for you. But to your original question- How good is Harvard in these areas? As good as it gets.</p>
<p>Those who continue in science do exactly what you suggested- medicine or research in or out of academia. Others change up entirely and teach high school, go to law or business school, or take some job totally unrelated to their undergrad degree.</p>
<p>Harvard is a big place and there are LOTS of premeds. So the introductory science courses are large. Once you get through the first couple of years you can start taking smaller science courses. You will definitely have sections taught by graduate students, but professors will run the courses, and give the lectures. </p>
<p>The students are very smart- after all, it is Harvard- and many of them go on to top grad and professional schools.</p>
<p>I loved Harvard but I shouldn't cross out other schools based on particular rankings in a certain discipline in science...?</p>
<br>
<p>I think so. If you love a school in other respects, the fact that it is ranked #25 instead of #10 in a particular scientific field shouldn't trump all the other factors.</p>
<p>Harvard is outstanding at Natural Sciences. Nevertheless, you should also consider Stanford strongly because its Natural Science departments are also amongst the best in the world.</p>
<p>in addition Stanford has the BioX Department which teaches several interdisciplinary programs that might appeal to you seeing that you are considering courses like Biochemistry and Biophysics. </p>
<p>Stanford's a bit too far. I live on the East Coast and my parents don't want me to go further west than St. Louis--and they're not happy about that one either.</p>