<p>What are the major distinctions (good and bad) between Yale and Harvard? Maybe with a slight emphasis on chemistry? I know this sounds like too broad of a question, but every little bit helps. Thanks!</p>
<p>You will find hundreds of threads all over CC that house discussions of this topic, though usually without the chemistry emphasis.</p>
<p>Re chemistry at Yale: My son, who just finished his freshman year at Yale, is considering the chemistry major. The common wisdom says more science-y kids go to Harvard than Yale, but chemistry at Yale, so far, has been splendid, with great opportunities for undergrads in a smaller pool than Harvard. My son is took Freshman Organic Chemistry, an invitation-only class that is a noted killer. It was fantastic (but very hard, as well as humbling). The professor, McBride, while renowned as a chemist and researcher, has even greater renown as an educator of chemists. With his guidance, my son applied for and obtained a fully funded spot doing research in an organic chemistry lab at a top research institute abroad. The institute has a collaborative program with Yale (and several other American universities, among them Harvard). Pretty cool for a freshman who’s not even decided on a major.</p>
<p>That’s very illuminating! I’ll keep it all in mind. Thanks!</p>
<p>Yale chemistry is quite good, and at the undergraduate level, the difference in quality of education between Harvard and Yale is negligible for a major like chemistry. That being said, with less students at Yale majoring in the sciences, you’ll most likely find that you get a lot more attention + chances to get funded for a project + get a spot in a great lab. Definitely consider it.</p>
<p>If you’re set on Chemistry and can get into Yale and Harvard, then you can probably get into Caltech and MIT, the undisputed top two schools for chemistry. That said, Harvard and Stanford are generally more renowned for their graduate programs in chemistry than Yale, which is probably reflective of their undergraduate program as well.</p>
<p>All of the rankings that I have seen indicate Harvard as being a step above Yale in chemistry. As others have said, though, the difference at the undergraduate level among the top schools for chemistry is negligible.</p>
<p>I think Yale has a better undergrad program in general. I have no clue about chem, as I am a prospective international relations major, and hated chem. :P</p>
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<p>What makes you say this?</p>
<p>The residential college system is generally why people say Yale is better… it provides a more “collegiate atmosphere” than Harvards houses, say some. Education wise, Id say they are on identical playing fields. Harvard and Yale are Harvard and Yale for a reason.</p>
<p>Harvard has the better grad ranking but Yale engineering/science students get a lot more attention than their counterparts at Harvard et al.</p>
<p>I doubt it’ll make much difference at the undergrad level. Just choose the place that you can see yourself spending 4 years at.</p>
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With this logic, would it ever make sense to go somewhere just for more research/other oppurtunities over another college with a stronger program?</p>
<p>Nolan: at this point, consider applying to both. If come next April, you’re one of the few who has the agonizing choice of having to turn down one for the other – well come back again.</p>
<p>This year, a young lady in our area was an HYP admitee. I met her at the reception for admits but don’t know what she settled on… she was still undecided and we alums really tried to sell her.</p>
<p>ripemango: I think you’re asking how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. 
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<p>At both H and Y, academic opportunities are so similar and so excellent that a particular academic program or department will not drive the enrollment decision for most students. For the vast majority of students who are weighing admissions to both schools, the decision comes down to factors other than academics – especially campus culture. You weigh the objective criteria, and then you make your decision by gut.</p>
<p>Harvard and Yale are profoundly different institutions that provide very different undergraduate experiences. Yale College is the centerpiece of the university, whereas Harvard is more oriented toward its graduate schools. It’s often said that Harvard freshmen are left to “sink or swim,” whereas Yale provides more support in the transition. (However, I think that I heard somewhere that Harvard has beefed up its care of freshmen recently). Even at the faculty level, there is a competitive - some would say cut-throat - atmosphere at Harvard, whereas Yale fosters collaboration. I don’t think that I’m speaking out of bias here, as I have been affiliated with both institutions at various times.</p>
<p>To anyone who can get into both, I would advise to go to Yale for the undergraduate experience and then consider Harvard for graduate school… if you thrive on intense and somewhat nasty competition.</p>
<p>For me it really came down to feel. Harvard was great, but I couldn’t picture myself as an undergraduate there.</p>
<p>beatitudo, </p>
<p>Do your comments on Harvard come from personal experience, people whom you have talked to who are/were students there, or just rumors?</p>
<p>@silver I heard that most Harvard classes are taught by TA’s and grad students, not sure if it’s true, just what I heard.</p>
<p>silverturtle, my comments come from personal experience and from people with whom I’ve spoken. I am currently on the clinical faculty at HMS and work actively with both students and profs at every level… not to mention that I live ‘in the belly of the beast,’ so to speak, and I know more Harvard-affiliated people than I can count.</p>