harvardprincess

I got into both schools, but still haven't made up my mind.
Can you guys help me make my decision? Make me fall in love with
either Harvard or Wharton.
I'm planning to major in economics.
Your responses would be greatly appreciated

undisclosed

H-Harvard.....

*readies himself for the slew of hate mail*

BoredPirate

Depends. I think Wharton for undergrad beats Harvard econ but if you're not planning on doing business, you're better off at Harvard; more name-recognition.

quag_mire

I think you should go to harvard for Economics...The degree from wharton maybe called "economics", but you learn stuff like accounting etc which doesnt have much to do with econ....I'd pick harvard, and even if you do want to go into business, harvard is well recruited at

45 Percenter

One thing to consider is Penn's "One University" policy, which strongly encourages each undergrad to take courses in more than one of the undergraduate schools (College of Arts and Sciences, Wharton, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Nursing), and in 8 of Penn's graduate and professional schools (Law School, Annenberg School for Communication, School of Design, School of Social Policy and Practice, Graduate School of Education, etc.). It gives undergrads a unique opportunity to design a diverse curriculum of depth and breadth that goes way beyond a traditional liberal arts or business program. I'm not sure that Harvard gives its undergrads a similarly wide-ranging "free run" of the university.

And of course, Wharton provides many business courses that can't be duplicated at Harvard College, while still encouraging undergrads to take up to 43% of their courses in the arts and sciences. And, 30% of Wharton undergrads earn dual degrees from Wharton and one of Penn's other undergraduate schools, so you could easily earn both a Wharton degree and a liberal arts degree (e.g., with an economics major) from the College during your four years.

Obviously, you can't go wrong either way. It's really a matter of personal preference (but remember, there's a lot more to life than just impressing other people with the name of your alma mater).

ilovebagels

People do pick Penn CAS and Penn Wharton over Harvard FAS, but it is safe to say they are in the minority.

That being said, it really depends on what you want to do. If you know you want business/applied economics, go to Wharton. If you want more theoretical economics, go to Harvard.

Also go to their previews days or whatever. You might find the people at one school or the other to simply rub you the wrong way.

45 Percenter

Indeed, the lure of the Harvard mystique is hard to resist (its yield rate is something near 80%).

But there are a few hearty individuals of exceedingly strong character and moral fiber who are able to do so. In fact, about 20%.

undisclosed

Adding: Not everyone who chooses to go to Harvard instead of another school is of weak character or moral fiber. What the hell? Sometimes the H is just the better choice for someone and their future plan.

45 Percenter

^ That's why I put the smiley after the statement.

FG13

HARVARD!! no question

freetense

I'd go to Harvard despite what these fanboys would say

legendofmax

I picked Penn SAS over Harvard and a few other schools (later transferred into Wharton)... I think I regret it. If you're not so sure about business, then I'd stay away from it. I feel like I'm missing out on so much that I could have gotten elsewhere. Really figure out where your interests have the most weight and then try to choose this way.

cc2

"(later transferred into Wharton)...I think I regret it ".
legendofmax - You will be glad 10 year from now.

ilovebagels

so you regret picking Penn? Or transferring into Wharton? Only the second one is really regrettable

Just out of curiosity, what made you pick Penn SAS over Harvard FAS? May as well answer for posterity and future forum searchers

legendofmax

I don't think I'll be glad 10 years from now, but then again, I'll only know for sure in 10 years :P

ilovebagels: Yeah I regret picking Penn. I picked it for financial reasons, primarily. In all honesty I would have probably had a better fit at Harvard, Yale, or MIT. I don't want to turn this into an anti-Penn rant, but there are just many aspects of the school (the curriculum, the student body, the campus, the location, the costs, etc) that I thought would be great/manageable/etc before I got here, but over time I'm realizing my initial assessments were not quite accurate, in my opinion.