Harvard at $12k/year or the Robertson Scholarship at UNC Chapel Hill . . . any thoughts? Is paying $12k/year justified?
Harvard is certainly justified at $12,000 per year.
But, in order to get more meaningful responses, you need to give the details about the Robertson Scholarship benefits.
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Chiming in from the Duke rather than UNC experience with respect to the Robertson, the Robertson is a full ride scholarship that includes exclusive networking events (dinners and such), funded summer programs, and more mentoring than anyone really needs. You have to participate in a mandatory community service project the summer after freshman year, but your summer options after that are more flexible. Additionally, you spend one semester at Duke (or UNC, if you have the Robertson at Duke) and are free to take as many courses at Duke as you’d like instead of the normal cap of 1 per semester.
@@JimJ1234 The Robertson is a great opportunity, but I can understand the appeal of Harvard. $12K per year isn’t bad if your family can swing it without scrimping.
I think it depends a lot on what your academic interests and future plans after college are. If you’re planning on medical school, for example, Harvard won’t offer any advantage over the Robertson at Carolina. If you’re planning on going into politics, Harvard might be worth the extra cost.
For politics, Harvard can be a liability; state flagships are better for getting one elected to statewide office once outside of the northeastern US.
A Harvard degree is more valuable for Wall Street firms & for international positions.
Agree that OP’s career goals are important in this decision.
“For politics, Harvard can be a liability; state flagships are better for getting one elected to statewide office once outside of the northeastern US.“
“https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Harvard_University_people”
Some liability!
Agree. But I bet that you never ran a statewide political campaign in The South !
Well I would say part of the decision has to be based on your major. That said it’s truly a no lose situation regardless of which you choose. Go with the campus you would prefer if you’ve had a chance to visit.
Thank you!
I am looking to go into either law or business, most likely majoring in economics. Based upon this, any further recommendations?
Harvard! It’s not even close. Your preparation for law and business school will be very good at both, but your network will be superior at Harvard. If you’re interested in a vibrant city with tremendous culture and history, hard to beat Boston. Chapel Hill is nice and the Raleigh area is great, but Boston will have more opportunities. Way more corporate HQs, big financial, biotech, high tech, medical.
If you were to say full pay at Harvard and full ride at UNC that would be a different conversation, but for 12k / yr, jump all over it!
Harvard trumps UNC/Duke here. Have to agree with rickie1. Harvard is definitely worth the reasonable investment.
Harvard without question. Most people pay way more than $12,000 to attend Harvard so consider yourself incredibly fortunate and count your blessings. My D applied to Harvard (she has many friends there and loves the place) and did not get in but was admitted OOS to Chapel Hill. UNC is now her first choice but we do not qualify for financial aid. (We did not know about the separate merit scholarships at UNC as no one from our region in a rural state has ever attended.) We would be paying full price for her to attend either one. Take the Harvard deal and run! Congratulations! ($48,000 will be easy to pay off with a Harvard education.)
My kid is a UNC Robertson and even I say Harvard at 12 grand a year. That is an easy one.
My kid is a UNC Robertson and even I say Harvard at 12 grand a year. That is an easy one.
I would not decide based on name alone. Go visit both and choose the better fit.
@gibby I saw you responded to a previous post along these same lines . . . any thoughts??