<ol>
<li><p>“People just choose Harvard as the default because it is very hard to say no”, sneers, Chasgoose, while those choosing Yale “have more specific reasons why they like it (residential colleges, perceived better undergrad focus, no exams after winter break, Yale seemed more fun, etc.)” - the standard Yalie cliches used to rationalize Harvard’s edge in the battle for common admits.</p></li>
<li><p>Harvard is “taking advantage of the manipulability of teenagers” in the scheduling of its visiting days, laments Chasgoose: and Yale is not doing the same in the scheduling of “Bulldog Days”? Don’t be absurd. Both Harvard and Yale (as well as other schools) schedule these visiting days for maximum effect as they see it.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Look, as you concede, many people also apply to - and attend - Yale based on its reputation and prestige; it is amusing that these factors are noble when applied to Yale, but ignoble when applied to Harvard, where -like it or not - the reputation and prestige level may be slightly higher.</p>
<p>It is absurd to suggest that those enrolling at almost ANY college aren’t influenced, to a degree, by what they have heard or read about the place.</p>
<p>And this is as it should be. </p>
<p>Basing your decision on how much fun you had your corner of the party on visiting day is a pretty weak and immature way to decide where to spend the next four years.</p>