What to consider when making a college decision--HELP

College Search & Selection
1

Currently I’m deciding between 10 schools, but in reality it’s probably going to be Harvard or Yale.

I’m really stressed since I’m not really sure what I should be comparing to make my decision.

I know main ones are FA, location, and academic rigor. For both these schools they are virtually the same and it’s all good.

So especially since I’m undecided and wanted a school that was good at everything so I could explore, I don’t know how to pick.

I’ll be visiting both as well, so that will be a factor. But what should I look for?

2

You should look for schools that are safeties and matches, besides Harvard and Yale. No one can assume they are getting into those schools.

3

@onceuponamom I think you’re mistaken, “I’m currently deciding” as in I’ve been accepted to both.

4

These are some things that you may want to consider:

  1. Weather. As superficial as it is, weather is often a great way to decide between two otherwise evenly matched schools.
  2. Where do you want to be after you graduate? If you want to live and work on the east coast, a school on the east coast is your best bet to end up there. Same with the south, west, and midwest.
  3. Consider how Harvard, Yale, and your other schools will fit you socially. What organizations are unique to each school that you would be interested in doing? For example, let's say you're interested in dance. Maybe one of your schools has a particularly good dance program for non-dance majors. That might be a good school to pick.
5

Thanks @minohi the problem is both these schools are equivalent in weather and general location, as well as my other schools mostly NE so I really don’t know where to go from here.

6

You could try putting both schools into a random chooser (Random Chooser) and see which one it picks. This tactic actually works surprisingly well - you’ll find yourself either disappointed with what came up or relieved. If the latter, you know you found the right school. If the former, it’s the other school.

7

Flip a coin.
If it comes up Harvard and you feel disappointed, that means you want to go to Yale.

8

Heads, Harvard. Twice. So it looks like I’ll assume I’m going to Harvard. Feeling neutral to be honestly. Going to both visitation weekends and unless I feel radically different or distressed, I’ll go to Harvard.

9

Honestly, you can’t go wrong here academically…i’d visit both and make my decision based purely on where I most feel like home.

10

Both schools have better Graduate Schools than undergrad schools, but New Haven is a dump and Cambridge isn’t bad.

11

You can read a Crimson article, “The Cult of Yale” (2003). After reading it, you will think you should go to Yale – at which point you will have to deconstruct the article and attempt to objectively integrate it with your own true preferences. Good luck with your decision.

12

You really can’t go wrong if they’re financially doable. It all goes down to personal preference. Which campus did you like better? Where did you like the professors or the students as much? How did you feel when you toured? ((Just saw you haven’t toured yet, so definitely do that because it will tremendously help your decision.))

What major/career do you want to pursue?

13

They’re both world-class in about everything. So… it’ll come down to gut feeling during the visits. Trust your instinct: during the visit, where do you feel “home”? After the visit, where can’t you wait to come back to in August?

14

When you visit, ask students about the negatives of each place. Sometimes you can get information that will tip the balance for you one way or another. One other question: You say you have a choice of ten schools. Are any of your other eight options calling to you at all? Don’t dismiss them out of hand if they are. (Unless the FA piece is off.)

15

@TheDidactic as I said I’m undecided! My mind says the security of STEM–which by the way I’ve loved studying, but my heart say try something new and risky. I love both the sciences and the humanities, I’m definitely a renaissance man.

16

STEM isn’t secure unless you want to go onto grad school or want a high-line career in something like medicine, engineering, computers, and pharmacy. At Harvard and Yale, you can probably go in undecided and fall into your passion down the line. As long it’s affordable, choose where you like the most!

17

STEM does not necessarily mean security, particularly for some popular S majors like biology.

18

From Harvard or Yale, you can major in anything and end up doing anything (esp. if you have internships). Major in Art History, work on Wall Street! :slight_smile: Essentially, don’t decide yet. Follow your interests, explore, join clubs, meet with professors… then choose. :slight_smile: