<p>Having been accepted at Harvard and UVA I'm currently making a decision lots of people would consider a no-brainer. In fact, when I tell people I'm trying to decide between UVA and Harvard, most just laugh. Here's the tough part: I LOVE U.V.A. </p>
<p>I'm from Michigan so I wouldn't get the benefit of the in-state tuition at UVA, but for me the main attractions are: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>UVA's The McIntire School of Commerce </p></li>
<li><p>UVA's ability to provide the WHOLE college experience</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I'm interested in studying business in college, and while many people have told me that Harvard would provide unparalleled opportunities and has an alumni network unlike any other, I find it hard to believe that UVA (and specifically McIntire) would "hinder" my ability to succeed, as McIntire was ranked the #2 undergrad business school in the nation and is also a top feeder into grad school business programs. I know I have to apply to the school and am not guaranteed admission, but I'm confident that if I really go for it, I can make it happen.</p>
<p>Also, some of the success I had in high school (grades, scores etc.) was achieved at the expense of the social life I've always wanted. I'm the work hard party hard/harder type of kid. UVA's frat scene seems pretty awesome... do Harvard kids know how to have fun? I've heard good things about final club parties and their ability to provide a "frat-like" experience, but I'm also not confident I'd get in to one as I won't be a varsity athlete.</p>
<p>So... given what I've said would I have regrets about choosing UVA over Harvard?</p>
<p>For real? Maybe it’s because I went to high school in Virginia and know the quality of students from my high school that got in to UVa (there is certainly a discrepancy between the quality of many in-staters and their OOS counterparts), but I can’t imagine choosing UVa over Harvard, especially if cost is not a major consideration.</p>
<p>OP, unless you’ve a scholarship like Jefferson Scholarship, Harvard is a better choice.
However, if you think you are going to be happier at UVA, simply choose UVA!! :)</p>
<p>If you’re interested in McIntire, you should seriously consider coming here to UVA. I go to UVA and absolutely love it. McIntire is arguably the top undergrad business program in America. And you’ll save money coming here. Harvard is still much more expensive than UVA OOS.</p>
<p>More expensive, yes. Much more expensive, no. </p>
<p>Harvard: $56K/year (including budget for books, transportation, personal expenses, etc.), UVA OOS: $45K/year (not including books, transportation, personal expenses, etc.)</p>
<p>OP is interested in McIntire, which is another $5K/year for 3rd and 4th years, bringing the average cost for UVA OOS to $47.5K/year. </p>
<p>I’d say the difference between Harvard and UVA is worth less than $10K/year.</p>
<p>I am a bit skeptical at the truthfulness of this topic. But if it’s real, I personally think I would definitely regret it if I ever passed up the chance to go to Harvard, even if it meant taking it all out on loans.</p>
<p>Under the plan approved by the UVA Board of Visitors, third-year in-state and out-of-state students entering the McIntire School in fall 2011 will be assessed $3,000 in additional tuition beyond the University’s base tuition level for the academic year. </p>
<p>It has not been announced that this amount has changed for the upcoming academic year(s).</p>
<p>
Just an FYI, top MBA programs look for several years of work experience first. You could go to McIntire and down the line apply to HBS. Harvard you most likely would major in Economics which would open many doors for you in the business sector. Either choice will get you where you want to be regarding employment or business school. </p>
<p>From reading your post it seems as if your main concern is the social scene at Harvard. I think it best for you to go to Harvard’s CC board and ask about it. Also, you must know students there, ask them what they think of it. Harvard has a different vibe socially and academically-not in a bad way. I would definitely get all the up to date facts you can. </p>
<p>Congratulations on being accepted to Harvard and to UVa. Best of luck to you in making your decision.</p>
<p>There was an article in the Cavalier Daily that the Board of Visitors is phasing in a tuition differential for McIntire. It starts at a $3K difference, then will become a $4k difference, then a $5K difference vs. other undergrad programs at UVa. This is part of the new “Market-based” approach of the Republican-appointed Board of Visitors, including Pat Robertson’s son.</p>
<p>The Board also approved the second-phase of the Commerce Schools differential tuition plan, which raises the tuition differential between College undergraduates and third- and fourth-year Commerce students from $3,000 to $4,000 annually. Phase I of the Commerce Schools differential tuition plan went into effect this academic year. Tuition differentials will cap at $5,000 annually, when Phase III begins at the start of the 2013-14 academic year.</p>
<p>Thirty years ago, my RA had turned down Harvard for UVa out of state. He went on to become a professor at UVa’s School of Medicine, among many other achievements.</p>
<p>charlie – FWIW – According to the announcements regarding the differential tuition, UVa was rather late to the party on instituting this. It is becoming fairly common across higher ed. With high-priced professors; it’s own – far superior (as opposed to the College) – career advising office; and brand new, state of the art facilities; maybe the up-charge is justified.</p>
<p>Not sure why, as someone who lives in Delaware, I believe, you think it appropriate to make regular comments about Virginia elected officials. If you lived in state, you would have the option of voting your views. Instead, you chose to live elsewhere, even as a UVa grad. If you don’t like the way UVa is administered, why did you send a child there?</p>
<p>Actually, I’m not opposed to differential tuition. </p>
<p>From what I have seen looking at colleges with both of my kids, many private colleges charge a few hundred dollars of extra fees for higher cost programs, but they don’t charge much higher tuition. </p>
<p>I happen to live in PA, where Penn State and Pitt also charge up to $4,000 a year extra for some undergrad programs. </p>
<p>However, this means the UVa Comm School tuition and fees will soon go up to $43,000 out of state, which strikes me as high. </p>
<p>If you look at my comments overall, you will see that 99% of them are supportive of UVa. I appreciate that UVa is very well run. I just don’t always agree how the commonwealths of Pennsylvania and Virginia are currently being run.</p>
<p>I’ve come to learn that the X vs. Y college threads on CC are pretty much worthless. The bias is out of control typically, and everyone is going to say Harvard because, well, it is Harvard. That may be fair. Regardless, you know Harvard’s name, what it has to offer, and yet you still say you love UVA and are contemplating. If you know everything about Harvard, and UVA is a still a choice in your mind, that is really saying something. Wherever you will go, you can do great. My personal opinion is that prestige does not outweigh happiness. And all universities offer great opportunities, and you can do anything you want at either of these two schools. Just do what you know is going to make you happy. You live your life once. Don’t spend it miserable because of this or that. Enjoying the college you attend everyday is probably the most important factor in your choice. The social scene you seem to want is definitely UVA. You know the academics and privileges of Harvard yourself.</p>
<p>OP~ I totally understand your dilemma. In the past few years, I have seen students choose “prestige” vs “fit”, who ending up quite unhappy.The social pressure of going to HYP in this country is tremendous.</p>
<p>H and Uva are two very different schools and even though your goals are important, the next four years will be the polishing touch on who you are for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>I went to MIT based largely on prestige, left, and am transferring to either UVA or UNC this fall. Lesson learned: go with your gut. If you go where you feel you belong, you’re likely to do better and take better advantage of the opportunities you have wherever you go. So assuming finances are equal or not a concern, I say go with UVA. The fact that you’re even thinking about this as a dilemma says a lot about how you feel about UVA. </p>