u/ConstantLeather5681

Hi, I’m currently a senior and I’m trying to decide which school I should attend next year. I’ve been lucky enough to have been accepted to several of my top choices for college, and I’ve narrowed my decision down to three schools. I plan on majoring in political science and economics at whichever school I go to, and after college I plan on serving in the military (parents won’t let me do rotc so I’m enlisting after) and going to law school before entering state politics. I don’t want to work in consulting or corporate law after college, however, so I won’t be rich post-graduation and the Harvard/Yale name brand might be somewhat wasted.

Harvard

Pros:

Political opportunities are unmatched (IOP, internships, harvard dems, etc.)

I love the Boston area

Chances to cross register with Harvard Kennedy school, law school, etc

The Harvard name is just unbeatable

It’s been my dream since I was a kid

I love the intellectual conversations and culture

Cons:

It’s 95k a year, which is really hard for my family to afford. My parents are promising to fully pay for it so I’ll have no loans, but they might delay retirement.

I’ve never really been in a competitive school, and I’m scared the culture will be too cutthroat

I don’t like how pre-professional it seems

Yale

Pros:

Plenty of intellectual opportunities

Seems more fun and down to earth than Harvard

Students seem happier and more community-oriented (very important to me)

I really like the New Haven area too

I love the intellectual conversations and culture

Cons:

It’s 98k a year

It doesn’t have as robust a political scene as Harvard

I prefer Harvard’s housing system to the residential college model

State school (USA Top 200)

Pros:

Very cheap to where I can pay almost all of it with scholarships and personal savings (13k/year)

Good political job placement

Less competitive and arrogant then Harvard/Yale

Can graduate in 2 years and continue hometown political work during college

Cons:

Not as many resources as Harvard or Yale

Poor name recognition outside of my state

I would always think “what if I went to..”

Too close to home

I’m incredibly grateful to have this decision and I’m really torn. I’ve already done everything I can with financial aid (appealed, applied to scholarships, bargained) so this is the final price for all the schools. Any advice or guidance on where I should choose would be appreciated!!

Hi, I’m currently a senior and I’m trying to decide which school I should attend next year. I’ve been lucky enough to have been accepted to several of my top choices for college, and I’ve narrowed my decision down to three schools. I plan on majoring in political science and economics at whichever school I go to, and after college I plan on serving in the military (my parents won’t let me do ROTC so I’m enlisting after) and going to law school before entering state politics. I don’t want to work in consulting or corporate law after college, however, so I won’t be rich post-graduation and the Harvard/Yale name brand might be somewhat wasted.

Harvard

Pros:

Political opportunities are unmatched (IOP, internships, harvard dems, etc.)

I love the Boston area

Chances to cross register with Harvard Kennedy school, law school, etc

The Harvard name is just unbeatable

It’s been my dream since I was a kid

I love the intellectual conversations and culture

Cons:

It’s 95k a year, which is really hard for my family to afford. My parents are promising to fully pay for it so I’ll have no loans, but they might have to delay their retirement and I feel uncomfortable putting that burden on them.

I’ve never really been in a competitive school, and I’m scared the culture will be too cutthroat

I don’t like how pre-professional it seems

Yale

Pros:

Plenty of intellectual opportunities

Seems more fun and down to earth than Harvard

Students seem happier and less toxic (very important to me)

I really like the New Haven area too

I love the intellectual conversations and culture

Cons:

It’s 98k a year

It doesn’t have as robust a political scene as Harvard

I prefer Harvard’s housing system to the residential college model

State school (USA Top 200)

Pros:

Very cheap to where I can pay almost all of it with scholarships and personal savings (13k/year)

Good political job placement

Less competitive and arrogant then Harvard/Yale

Can graduate in 2 years and continue hometown political work during college

Cons:

Not as many resources as Harvard or Yale

Poor name recognition outside of my state

I would always think “what if I went to..”

Too close to home

I’m incredibly grateful to have this decision and I’m really torn (though I’m leaning towards Harvard cause I told everyone I was going when I got in rea lol). I’ve already done everything I can with financial aid (appealed, applied to scholarships, bargained) so this is the final price for all the schools. Any advice or guidance on where I should choose would be appreciated!!