University of Michigan or Harvard?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

Hello there Everyone,

I recently got accepted as a transfer to LSA for Umich Ann Arbor, I have also applied for a minor in business administration at the Ross Business School.

As an out of state standing Junior, it will cost me nearly 100,000+ Dollars considering I am planning on off-campus residency.

I have also received admission to Harvard’s undergraduate degree in liberal arts at Harvard Extension School ( total cost estimated to be: 30000).

Comparing the cost, Brand, degree value of the two programs.

Umich Ann Arbor: Original Full-time student degree
Considering that I will have a minor at the Ross Business school, it will be quite formidable.
Cost: 100000+

Harvard Extension, Undergraduate Liberal Arts, Computer Science Major and Economics, Government Minor.
Cost: 300000
Value: Essentially a “Harvard University” graduate but NOT a “Harvard College” graduate.
Harvard University is collective: Harvard college, Business school, Kennedy School, Extension school, Medical school, etc.
( Not my words, but the words of the Harvard Admissions Senior Counselor).

The reason why this pulls me is maybe due to my personality,
I strongly believe that University does not guaranty success and it actually opens doors and opportunities. I never depended on college for my academic/professional achievements but on my ability and hard work.

If I am going to Umich, I would have to study full time and that would be the opportunity cost of actually doing many internships, working on building my tech startups, online businesses and brands while at Harvard( mostly possible due to it being a part-time work undergraduate degree).

My father is strongly pointing to the point that I should not give up Umich for an “unofficial degree”, even though it is costly: he insists he can pay for it: debt free. I highly retaliate this thought as I have confidence in my beliefs and moreover have confidence in my abilities, not believing, but knowing that I can succeed on my own and need not spend that much money for a degree which mainly has a high literal and a greater opportunity cost.

Moreover, the way we study is changing, more universities have recognized this and established low cost competitive online/part-time undergraduate degree programs which are rather optimal cause people are now recognizing how companies are selecting their employees(Example that an undergraduate degree is no longer an indirect example of success, even though it shows resilience in academic fortitude).Entrepreneurship needs no degree, but mere competence and the stress of the point that this generation of students which are realizing the uncountable opportunities which technology, social media, online business, the rapid generalization of mobile, internet and the advent of new technologies and opportunities booming every day.(online influencers, online businesses, AI, technology-business integration, etc).

My estimate: MOOCs, Online full time, part time degrees will become more common and maybe even more preferably within a few years(depends).

What would you suggest on this intake of mine? I value your opinion, insights, and comments.

Thank you.

2

No degree is worth $100k unless it says M.D. next to it.

3

Interesting.
UM computer science is heavily recruited by Google, Facebook, Apple, especially Amazon no matter where you get the degree (LSA or Engineering). Computer science with a business minor from Ross will help you land jobs with $150K first year, $200K second year, and more in the future.
I don’t know Harvard CS is that good, especially extension school. Not sure it will be recruited by the likes the companies I mentioned.

4

@coolguy40… Sorry but not anymore… (ha). I think in your thread you said your father is pro Michigan and he can afford it debt free??? If he has the money and is supportive of you going to Michigan I am not understanding the hesitation. It will be a source of you getting a good job. Minoring in business at Michigan is not a given either. Check it out. So if you don’t get into the minor program will that be a factor. (unless you were accepted as a junior into Ross for business minor?

5

@JH8888

Even for CS grads from Michigan, 150k offers are very uncommon. 90-100k base + some benefits + modest bonus is about average. I only know a few CS grads that secured 150k+ full time total comp offers.

Michigan CS and Harvard CS will open the same doors in terms of professional opportunities after undergrad. The question here is if Harvard Extension School will be able to do the same, which is unfortunately not the case.

6

^ Not so sure about that.

7

UMich by a long shot. HE in CS will not open the same doors at UMich CS. Harvard is not that great in CS and the extension carries none of the prestige of the college.

8

“No degree is worth $100k unless it says M.D. next to it.”

So what you’re saying is that no degree, unless it is medical, is worth $25,000/year. Boy, there sure are a lot of suckers in this world!

9

@rjkofnovi… I have to laugh. Being a physician /surgeon we are getting paid 25 cents on the dollar compared to when I started. New family physicians and Pediatrician are a dying breed since they can’t make enough money. Competition with doc in the boxes that constantly give the wrong diagnosis. Kids coming out don’t want to start their own practices but work for large groups or hospitals so they can punch in and out 9/5. They would rather be an employee. Competition with Physician Assistants and now virtual doctors. Care will not get better but worse. People going into medicine really need to want to help people cause your not going to get paid well to do it… I digress…

10

I’d personally go with U of M because of the campus life.

11

Harvard Extension is not at all the same thing as Harvard College. You get a different degree; pathetic financial aid; and you don’t have access to the same services as Harvard undergraduates. I’d go to Michigan. Harvard Extension isn’t the equivalent of Columbia’s School of General Studies. It’s a poor cousin.