Harvard ED vs UChicago ED

JBStillFlying
Wed, 13 Jan 2021 04:47:43 +0000

1NJParent:

First of all, it depends on whether or not you may change your mind and regret your choice later after you have a chance to do more indepth analysis. UChicago wants you to make a full commitment. It wants you to demonstrate that committment in myriad of ways, including in the multiple essays that it requires. Harvard, on the other hand, only needs you to show your love by applying to it as your “single choice” in the early round. It doesn’t even want you to write a “why us” essay.

A de-emphasis on the Harvard essays is probably not the most intelligent pitch for SCEA. Most who apply craft their essays with thought and care. I certainly have never met a Harvard admit who didn’t have a clear understanding of “why us.”

1NJParent:

With Harvard SCEA, you can still apply to other schools in the regular round and compare your acceptances to see which school offers the best overall education (it may not even be Harvard). With UChicago ED, you don’t have these opportunities.

This is actually a “distinction” without a practical difference. Most accepted SCEA don’t worry about applying to other schools. The yield is indistinguishable from ED1. Small nit, by the way: @1NJParent is being a little vague. UChicago doesn’t have “ED;” they have ED1 and ED2. 1NJ is correct about the binding aspect of Early Decision, but ED2 has a different deadline from SCEA so of course you can apply to the latter as well, if you wish. @Data10 lays out all those combinations which include the two non-binding admission options at UChicago.

1NJParent:

Secondly, if you need financial aid, Havard is generally more generous. As an ED applicant to UChicago, you don’t get a chance to compare financial aid packages from other schools. With Harvard SCEA, you do.

This is just plain inaccurate. Net price for both schools totally depends on your family income. For instance, my kids received more need-based financial aid at UChicago than they would have at Harvard. One can - and should! - run the net price calculator to see what each school will offer. Both schools meet full demonstrated need, btw, regardless of admission plan, but define that slightly differently. Net Price numbers are really within a few thou of each other across all the brackets, based on latest available numbers. Sometimes the differences are miniscule. Harvard historically did better in that middle-income range: $50-75k. However, since then UChicago has guaranteed full tuition and fees for anyone with family incomes under $100k (typical assets) and adds R&B for family incomes under $60k. So it has improved and Harvard’s numbers have no doubt improved too. Again - check the NPC to compare. At this level of elite one should be able to choose their school based on other considerations than finances.

Now, a personal anecdote because I suspect @1NJParent is posting without the benefit of genuine experience in the FA area. Our daughter wanted to switch to ED2 when she was deferred from EA a few years ago. I spent a good amount of time on the phone with one of UChicago’s FA directors reviewing affordability before we signed that agreement. My D’s aid package turned out even better than what I had anticipated. I - and others who have posted on this issue - have found UChicago to be genuinely helpful in matters of FA. Harvard no doubt would be as well. Anyone should be able to call up and discuss financial matters with their university of interest. You should be able to apply to either school with confidence that you will attend if accepted.

1NJParent:

Since I don’t know what your interests are, I’m assuming the program you want to pursue at either Harvard or UChicago are comparable, which may or may not be the case.

This might be the case for some types of engineering; however, for most other majors there will be significant overlap. Both are liberal arts programs. One might want to check out other aspects of the undergraduate program where you will see more pronounced differences. Each school has a distinct mission, so it’s best to understand what that is. Focus on the big picture differences - or whether there are any. That might help with that question: Why Us. Because the reality is that both schools want to know this, regardless of how they ask.