waitlisted... Which school should I choose in the meantime?

[blinelight]

<p>Hi everybody, I've been waitlisted at Harvard and I hope that my recent sustainable nonprofit work will get me into the university, but I know the chances aren't that good so I'm not exactly holding my breathe. Around 10% of students get off the waitlist on an average year, correct?</p>

<p>In the meantime, I have been fortunate enough, but challenged to make the decision between Stanford, Columbia, MIT, and Johns with the Hodson Trust scholarship.</p>

<p>I'm interested in a biology and CS mixed major, but I'm also looking to minor in political science or international relations. I also want a somewhat balanced education and I love the big city (and music scene in Boston and MIT) but I love Stanford's weather. I also like very intellectual atmospheres and I want to be among a very diverse student body... Finally I would love a cool entrepreneurial atmosphere that could support non-profit or for-profit work. </p>

<p>I'm very confused... Help please!</p>

[batfan]

<p>I’m not sure it’s 10% - I’ve heard that some years, none get off, others 30, etc…so I think it really depends but the chances are slim. I’m a waitlistee too. :(</p>

<p>Stanford’s great for CS and business especially, so I think it’s worth considering due to the fact that it offers very strong departments in those and well-regarded departments for the rest of your interests.</p>

<p>MIT’s awesome for all the sciences and has strong departments in the humanities, but from what I’ve heard from friends who go there (and this is just anecdotal evidence, and they still love it), it is not less “exploration-flexible” across the board than other colleges are and is still pretty science-focused. That’s just what I’ve heard, so take it with a grain of salt! </p>

<p>Anyway, you’ve got awesome options and I feel like you can’t go wrong with whatever you pick. I think that I personally would choose between Stanford and Columbia, but that might just be me!</p>