I don’t believe Harvard College offers a minor in finance - that is only available at the graduate level or through Harvard extension school. As to remaining on campus for the summer, I’m not sure that is common (or even possible). Are you a US resident? The most important component of your application to Wharton or Harvard will be your academic record (courses taken, gpa, test scores etc) – ECs are important of course, but having an incredibly strong academic profile is the most important thing.
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My kid was accepted at both and spent time with former HS classmates at both to help inform his decision. Candidly he didn’t care at all about the dormitories or the food. Simply didn’t care.
He was very focused on the opportunity and resources of the various schools to advance a personal venture he had founded. He viewed Wharton to be very competitive with most kids discussing IB internships from day one on campus. Given his focus was more entrepreneurial then finance he didn’t think it would be a good fit but found the curriculum beyond intro classes to be interesting.
Harvard he wasn’t interested in being an Econ major and any finance classes were offered at MIT or extension program (don’t know if that has changed). He found the kids much more eclectic and collaborative. Found there to be a strong pipeline and access to founders and entrepreneurs. Liked the kids and found them to be much more relaxed and collaborative.
He joked the Wharton kids act like they are the royalty of Penn while the Harvard kids act like they are the royalty of the world.
He could have been comfortable at either and either one would have provided comparable professional opportunities in his opinion.
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Yes, via Harvard Extension School. I also believe both Harvard and UPenn offer a summer stay option, and I’ll also probably be staying due to personal reasons. Right now, I believe (again, not trying to jinx) I’m on track for such a route with mid-high '90s, roughly 16 APs through senior year, 1550 SAT, and a top 10% class rank by then.
Hi,
Nope, the main school, I don’t believe, does, but due to personal interest, I’d probably take it via extension school.
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While I do agree, I’m probably going just to insert my internships, startups, school clubs, research, and personal work so it doesn’t seem fake and over-exaggerated.
No, they don’t.
Both have that option only if attending the summer session, and even then, only for the duration of the summer session.
Harvard Extension courses don’t count toward a Harvard College degree.
It has not changed.
Anyway, as I said at the outset, this is all moot until you get accepted. But you have a lot of research to do before applying
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If they’re real, they’re real.
If you assisted or helped, that’s not what you’re saying. Just be real.
If you’ve truly done hella stuff, of course use it.
Ps - extension will not help you toward a degree.
Good luck.
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I’d have to agree with the Joke, but since I am spending four years, I just want to use the opportunity to the maximum and make sure I don’t regret.
Yes, I agree that all this is nothing till I get accepted. I know the extension doesn’t count but I’m rather doing it out of personal interest.
Yup, just said “assisted” as I co-founded the organization and wanted to give credit. Plus, my work doesn’t compare to anything my friends do, ranging from interning for economic ministries of countries to receiving presidential awards. Unluckily, I’m an immigrant in the US and have to put in more work due to my “international” status.
I would focus in on what this means in practical terms. “Use the opportunity to the maximum”.
What exactly is the opportunity? How do you define maximum? How do the various schools support this effort and outcome?
My kid literally got very granular and specific in his questions and the criteria he was seeking.
The opportunity is college overall, let alone any top 20. From where I’m from, getting into such a university is a dream come true for many. Plus, a lot of people around the world don’t get an education, so I’d be extremely grateful for the opportunity. This also includes the work I’m doing and the time I’m using to build up my extracurriculars. When I state maximum, I’ve spent a lot of time on my own work and passion for my interests, sometimes losing out on the “high-school experience.” I just want to have a great experience in college as well. Lastly, I just want to ensure the decisions I make for my goals and aspirations I don’t make in the future in case I could’ve done better. Overall both schools are great, no doubt, both have pros and cons, and it’s a matter of what is better suited under the variables I gave that matter to me.
I would dig into what can each school uniquely or distinctly offer to support these interest and help achieve the associated goals.
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Are you a US citizen or permanent resident (green card) or will you be considered an international applicant? If applying as an international applicant, admission becomes much, much tougher (and it is already incredibly tough).
I am an Immigrant living and studying in hs in the US without a greencard, I’m unsure if I’m an international student or a normal applicant
With no green card, you are an international applicant. Some state schools may give in state tuition to International students studying in its high schools.
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You have a great background and passion - and I wish you luck.
I would visit each, look at curriculums, look at what kids are doing on campus, internship and career outcomes - and you’ll get a great sense.
And if one of these don’t work out, then many others would.
Obviously, check financial aid for each school - and every school you look at - as to how immigrants are handled (if you need aid).
The most important school on your list is not these - but rather the safety, you can afford, that you’d love to attend. These schools are aspirational.
I’m not sure of the ultimate goal but a finance at Wharton and Econ at Harvard - or others - can likely end up in similar places.
But studying what you want to study - that’s to me, more important, than the name on the degree.
You’re a great candidate.
Make sure your resume is 100% accurate, find your right places (not place) to apply, and someone as driven as you will have a great life. Are you really a state champion weightlifter and boxer? Did you truly, on your own, start a charity and an organic coffee company…because if any of this can be disproven, you’re not going anywhere. Not saying it’s wrong - but on paper, all you list is not believable. So make sure it’s all documented and easy to find and validate this info.
PS - it’s not good that you are losing out on the high school experience. I suppose it’s too late to change now as you’re likely a Junior. But hopefully you can gain some of this back.
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I agree framing this as a decision specifically between Harvard and Wharton is a distraction unless you are actually admitted to both.
But the question of whether to do Finance as an undergrad major, or something like Econ and then do Finance later (say as an MBA or CFA) is a broader one than just those two colleges.
At a high level, Finance is really a subfield of Econ. As a result, in some ways a Finance major will likely go deeper into that subfield in undergrad, but an Econ major will get as broader overview.
In the end, both can lead to the same places, particularly if you get further education, but personally I tend to think a broader education in college is often a good idea. I also think Econ majors can sometimes have somewhat broader next step options, although really a Finance degree from a good college is unlikely to be a huge limiter. So if you remain more passionate about Finance, that is also fine.
I have lived in Philly and Boston, so I’ll chime in on the AC.
In Philly, at least some years people have died from the heat when their AC didn’t work. I don’t ever recall that happening in Boston. It could have, but not the same as in Philly. Philly is hot.humid.hot. in the summer.
Campus crime, more people get shot in West Philly because they assume it’s a safe area. It’s not. They tell you not to walk alone, in the dark in Philly. Not to say Boston is always safe, but at least all the times I have walked in Boston, I don’t fear for my life.
Food. Boston seems to have better and healthier food options than Philly. Obesity is a real problem in Philly.
May be you should consider Stanford: safe, cool, pretty, good food and always sunny.
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If you go to Harvard it doesn’t really matter what your major is. I knew a bunch of guys at Yale who majored in physics, English, and philosophy who went on to work for JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, hedge funds, etc. Take difficult quantitative classes and you’ll be fine. In fact, I got the impression that they kind of counted philosophy as hard, regardless, and didn’t worry about whether those kids had DiffEq or whatever.