<p>I just officially declined Harvard's offer of admission... It is a little sad, because it's such a great school. I loved everyone I met and everything I saw, but even as I enjoyed myself, I knew that I belonged at... PRINCETON 2014! My personality and academic wishes are just much, much better suited to the Princeton environment, and I'm positive I'll be able to get more out of the Princeton experience. Clearly I'm very happy with my decision! =D I was just wondering: who else on CC is among the 20% of admitted students who will turn Harvard down? What school are you choosing instead and why?</p>
<p>I could be. Why did you choose Princeton, specifically? I’ve got 3 days to figure it out…</p>
<p>me, possibly. because of family problems tho.</p>
<p>jblpright: The initial decision was mostly based on intangibles, I think. I just felt like I belonged more at Princeton than I did at Harvard, though I was very, very happy at Harvard too! If I have to qualify the exact reasons why I felt the way I did, I would say that Princeton is a bit quieter, more focused, more academically oriented, and cozier. Harvard students (according to the general impression I got from the visit) are interested in being involved in many, many extracurricular activities which constitute a huge time commitment and a lot of energy. This is great for some people, because it makes Harvard a very vibrant, busy place. However, I think I prefer to be more selective about my interests, and would therefore find it difficult to take advantage of all the opportunities without getting too distracted from the things that matter to me. Some people (in particular the people I know who are going to Harvard) are great at balancing this - I am not. Also, Harvard is a bit more… extroverted/aggressive? In a good way, of course, but I don’t think I would be able to thrive as well there because I’m a bit shy. Also, I want to study physics, and Princeton’s undergraduate program is amazing! I know from personal experience that they really pay a lot of attention to all their students. So… yeah. But these criteria are very personal, and I can totally understand why many people would prefer Harvard.</p>
<p>eharmony: I’m sorry! I hope your that your problems are resolved and that you will get the chance to attend the school of your dreams, whether or not it be Harvard =)</p>
<p>Physicshobo, you sound like a very thoughtful and nice person. No wonder you were accepted to both schools. congratulations.</p>
<p>Post#4: Those are great reasons to choose Princeton over Harvard. It really helps to know yourself. Well done!</p>
<p>princeton is more academically oriented?</p>
<p>interesting… i’ll keep that in mind when I apply.</p>
<p>Going to Stanford for the class of 2014. Wooooooo! 
Harvard just didn’t give me that “feeling.”</p>
<p>@bobtheboy - The differences are subtle - i.e. at Princeton all students write theses, while at Harvard it’s something like 1/4 -> 1/2.</p>
<p>im trying to decide bw the two. i might do econ. any suggestions? why didnt pton give us a free shirt like harvard did!!???</p>
<p>I can think of several CC posters on the top of my head who were accepted but went to another school instead.</p>
<p>My D is going to Stanford instead. The campus social and athletic vibe was more to her liking, but it was REALLY hard to say no to Harvard.</p>
<p>Good luck PhysicsHobo! I myself will be going to Princeton for graduate school after graduating Harvard this year- I’m glad to see you’re as excited as I am about the university!</p>
<p>Admiral: That’s really funny because I was just thinking about how I might like to go to Harvard for grad school! What will you be studying? Maybe you’ll be grading my problem sets =P</p>
<p>physicshobo- I’m in the Quantitative and Computational Biology PhD program, so the courses I TA will likely be in biology.</p>
<p>I think I might get to. I’m hoping, fingers crossed. But I think I’ll have to ask for an extension.</p>
<p>It wouldn’t be that hard for me, though. I’m rather apathetic Harvard and presently wish I hadn’t applied or that I were not accepted.</p>
<p>Millancad: Oh, are your parents forcing you to go to Harvard? Which I shall extrapolate from your location information means that you want to go to MIT? I’m sorry about that =( I have friends whose parents are pressuring them too… I consider myself lucky that my parents never tried to enforce anything on me. They told me after I had committed to Princeton that they thought it was the right choice for me the whole time, but they really left it up to me. Though for me the financial aid situation was the same for both… Is it for financial reasons that your parents want you to go to Harvard?</p>
<p>Physicshobo- Congradulations on Princeton. You chose based on your needs and not prestige- an example of great character. Which is more than I can say for myself. (If I had the same choice I would have gone for Harvard, regardless of fit or other factors.)</p>
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<p>ummm. Pulling the P card is just as hot as dopping the H bomb.</p>
<p>I TURNED HARVARD DOWN</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>for yale. haha so not that bold a move…</p>