<p>I visited both Harvard and Yale, and while I recognize that they are both incredible institutions (and I sincerely believe that), Yale was my first choice when my college visits were over. Obviously, lots of people have the opposite experience. I was just wondering what made some of you pick Harvard over Yale (or any other highly competitive University that you may have been considering when your college search started).</p>
<p>Harvard over Yale over location for me. </p>
<p>Cambridge and Boston? So kick whatever that place's (New Haven? LOL already forgot...) butt.</p>
<p>But Harvard is not my first choice so maybe you should ask someone else hah.</p>
<p>Hehe, I picked Yale. I also didn't understand why people would pick Harvard over Yale (other than the fact that "It's Harvard"). Is Cambridge enough of a draw to overcome Yale's undergraduate focus?</p>
<p>I would pick cambridge+boston anytime over New Haven. </p>
<p>My Yale interviewer actually told me the most disappointing factor of his undergraduate education at Yale was New Haven. The place had nothing to offer except for a university.</p>
<p>The other side of the argument, however, is that, because New Haven is known solely as the city Yale is in (as opposed to being known for other things in the past), the community practically caters entirely to the needs of Yalies -- faculty, staff, and students alike.</p>
<p>I would still choose Cambridge/Boston (and therefore, Harvard) over New Haven and Yale, though.</p>
<p>I'm also interested in hearing this play out... do you guys have any thoughts on the differences between Harvard and Yale besides their respective locations?</p>
<p>Didn't you get an adequate answer to this question in the last thread </p>
<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=288914%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=288914</a> </p>
<p>you started in this forum?</p>
<p>Answering post #6, I will say that I think Harvard's undergraduate program in math (or Princeton's, or MIT's) would be much more interesting to a math-liking young person than Yale's. I might feel differently about the Harvard-Yale rivalry if I were a History Day coach rather than a math competition coach, but in my world of high school extracurricular activities there is much more excitement about Harvard--regardless of its location--than Yale.</p>
<p>Academics-wise, I would also choose Harvard over Yale because its program is stronger in my prospective major. In other aspects, however, I think Harvard and Yale are equally matched.</p>
<p>When you talk to actual Harvard students, you find that undergraduate focus is only an issue for those that DO NOT attend Harvard. Harvard students generally don't find it an issue.</p>
<p>that's a good way to look at it, bandit, thanks</p>
<p>Thanks, tokenadult!</p>
<p>My prospective major(s) are not closely tied to math - they're economics, political science, and the social sciences in general... I'm drawn to the Ethics, Politics, and Economics major at Yale and slightly less interested in the Social Studies concentration at Harvard. I'm also considering the relative merits of the Yale Daily news vs. the Harvard Crimson... and by "merits," I mean, of course, how ridiculously hard it is to become a staff writer/columnist/editor.</p>
<p>Wow, lackadaisy, you and I are like the same person.</p>
<p>Guy I know applying to yale ruined it for me.... long story....</p>
<p>Ok, got a question for you. WHY YALE?</p>
<p>Yale sent me a likely letter and Harvard didn't. That's basically why I'm starting to lean towards the former. At the same time, I bet if I actually end up getting into Harvard, I'll forget that Yale even exists.</p>
<p>And as someone who's visited both at length- and thought a lot (a LOT) about the differences between the two, I can safely say that Yale is a much warmer place socially... there's simply more going on in terms of an open social scene. That's not to say that Harvard doesn't have parties- but it's just different. The social scene at Harvard is more niche-y, and less open somehow. It's more like the sailing team partying with themselves, the literary magazine partying together, etc... maybe a consequence of the housing differences?</p>
<p>That's an interesting point Mons. If I'm lucky enough to be a cross admit, I'll have to visit to check out the social scene there.</p>
<p>Mug, check this out:
Guy I know applying to yale ruined it for me.... long story....</p>
<p>Ok, got a question for you. WHY YALE?</p>
<p>TellETubE–Now, Harvard doesn't really send likely letters... don't be offended.</p>
<p>Then again, I'll admit to feeling stupidly miffed when I didn't get a Yale likely (was Harvard EA), and my friend did. I had to sit through a horrendous Yale interview as a result–an hour and a half of an old alum rambling on about how Yale was better than Harvard–and the combination really made Yale less appealing.</p>
<p>Mmm, I was essentially in at Harvard (as in, biiig connections & private interview with an adcom all worked out) but after looking at both Harvard and Yale, I liked Yale infinitely better. The teachers are more accessible, the campus has a nicer feel, and it just generally seems like a better all-around education. Of course, a Yale EA deferral has definitely made me borderline regret not pulling my Harvard connection when I had the chance. >.<</p>