<p>I know these threads are <em>extremely</em> obnoxious, but what do you think? I have a <em>really</em> good scholarship to WashU, but Harvard? I know so much more about WashU than I do about Harvard and I really want to make an informed decision. I plan on majoring in Biochemistry and Linguistics. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>How much is each costing you? What do you want to study? What are your plans after graduation?</p>
<p>Sorry about that, I added what I wanted to study into my previous post. I will only have to pay about $8K to go to WashU and probably around $18K to go to Harvard (I haven’t gotten my Harvard Fin Aid letter yet, but I based this on info from their website). There is also the (slight, I know) possibility of them matching WashU’s scholarship. </p>
<p>At this moment, I intend to do Pre-Med and go to med school after graduation. I am keeping an open mind about things though because I am also really interested in music and languages.</p>
<p>Also, I have visited WashU twice (Discovery Weekend and Ervin Scholars Weekend), so I feel like I really know the campus whereas, I don’t know that much about Harvard at all…</p>
<p>How problematic for your family is the additional cost of Harvard?</p>
<p>Not too much, actually. It’s still a lot better than all the other schools I applied to (besides WashU).</p>
<p>Try to visit Harvard if you can. It really depends on how comfortable you are making a decision to go to a place for the next 4 years.</p>
<p>I know if you post this on any other thread, I’m sure most people will say “Harvard or bust!” because of the name and everything. </p>
<p>But, ultimately, WUSTL has an amazing name and great programs for what you want to study, and you are very familiar with it. Making your college choice is a major life decision because you are committing yourself to spending 4 years at a place. The amount of information you have will lead you to make the decision that’s best for you. Going to a school where you have tons of information and love everything you’ve seen/heard versus going to a school where you know next to nothing and haven’t visited… I think any reasonable person will tell you that the former is better than the latter, no matter if you are comparing Harvard or any other school.</p>
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<p>Yes, but I imagine that Harvard would open even more doors.</p>
<p>I agree with both of you actually. I will be visiting Harvard, but their visiting program is not until the weekend of the 25th, so I really don’t want to be a lame duck until then, you know?</p>
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<p>The OP is doing premed, so this introduces its unique set of factors for deciding between schools
AfrikaanDreamer, have you looked at the “WashU Premed Questions and Answers” thread that I started? I hope it will give you more information about the premed program.
You should also ask about the Harvard premed program. In the end, choose where you think will be happiest and most successful as a premed student.</p>
<p>These two are very different, or at least have a very different focus. </p>
<p>Harvard = prestige+++, very competitive environment, Boston, focus on graduate school (my belief, I could be wrong)
WashU = top tier, nurturing environment, St Louis, undergrad + grad focus, excellent pre-med program</p>
<p>If you want to go to a “college”, pick Harvard. If you want to go to a college for a particular program (pre-med), pick WashU.</p>
<p>if you’re intent on pre-med, washU</p>
<p>Definitely Harvard. Don’t be mean on Education. WUSTL is a great place, but I think it cannot equal Harvard yet.</p>
<p>Harvard would be a very different place than Wash U STL. Definitely try to visit both before you decide. WashU STL will far more caring.</p>
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<p>Does your source of information extend beyond the stereotypes on College Confidential? Many current students who have posted on CC maintain that Harvard is not very competitive and, further, that there is not a focus on graduate students.</p>
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Harvard has 40 students at JHU med. Wash U has 7.</p>
<p>In the past 20 years, Harvard has produced 86 Rhodes scholars. Wash U has produced 5.
In the past 55 years, Harvard has produced 252 Marshall scholars. Wash U has produced 1.
In the past 30 years, Harvard has produced 66 Truman scholars. Wash U has produced 13.
In the past 15 years, Harvard has produced 717 NSF fellows. Wash U has produced 126.
In the past 15 years, Harvard has produced 477 Fulbrights. Wash U has produced 132.</p>
<p>Obviously one can be successful at either university. It is easier to do so at Harvard, however, where one has access to more renowned professors, more resources, better advising, better placement, smarter students, and a nicer city. </p>
<p>Try to get Harvard to match Wash U’s offer.</p>