NYU or Harvard?

knowledgeisgood2
Fri, 28 Oct 2011 02:58:16 +0000

Okay, Okay. I know that sounds like a stupid question. Let me be clear. First of all, there’s the whole getting into Harvard thing. I understand that. I’m applying there Early Action, and of course, being anything but pessimistic when it comes to Harvard is foolish. But, even if i did get in, I’m not sure it’s where I want to be.

My passion is jazz music, and NYU is off the charts for jazz. I probably wouldn’t be a music major, because I’m so invested in learning about everything else I’m interested in, but even so, just being in the Village is pretty perfect. I just feel happy walking around New York, and I don’t get the same feeling in Cambridge. (or Princeton, New Haven, whatever.)

I’m also not really a do-er. That is to say I made it through high school with a 3.9 and a 2300 SAT without really lifting a finger. I put a lot of effort into what I’m passionate about, and I’m very motivated in certain areas of my life, but I was never excited by school work. (It seems paradoxical that I love learning, but not school.)

Anyway, I’m just wondering, how important are the benefits. Should I suck it up and go to the best school I can get into, because it’ll pay out in the future? Or should I just go where I’d be happy, and worry about getting down to business in grad school?