<p>I’m not an alum or anything, just hoping to attend Yale next fall, so I’m not sure how much this will help. </p>
<p>The reason I’m not even applying to Harvard is because it didn’t feel like home. When I walked the campus, I thought it was beautiful and I know they have wonderful programs and opportunities. Nevertheless, I couldn’t picture Harvard as being my school. The exact opposite happened at Yale. As soon as I came on to the campus, I felt like I belonged, like I would have something to give to the community. I also had the opportunity to sit in on a class and was amazed at the quality of teaching. Though I was sitting in a lecture hall for an intro course that nearly every freshman takes (there were about 150 people in the class), the teacher was talking TO the students, not AT them. I felt as if she truly cared. The main difference, I believe, between Harvard and Yale is that Yale is way more down to earth. Prior to visiting, I had never seen a place with so many brilliant AND humble. Yale felt like home. </p>
<p>Like I said, I’m not sure if that helped at all, but that is just my view on your desirable problem :). Though you are going for athletics, don’t forget that this will also be your college, the place that you will spend the next four years in. Contrary to all the people who have preferred Harvard in this thread because of the prestige, I would advise you not to choose a college because of the name, but rather, because of the atmosphere. </p>
<p>good luck!!</p>