Is Harvard over-rated?

[Anonymous]

Doing some research for my DC who is a sophomore. Recent grad outcomes appear very pedestrian and it appears many are struggling to find work. Are the glory days for Harvard behind them? Serious question. I cannot find reasons why Harvard is any better than other schools in the top 50 USNWR rankings. Recent matriculants I have known personally are not that impressive and seem to be a blend of legacy, VIP and athlete. What am I missing? Perhaps it is a dying brand - what am I missing? Does the emperor have any clothes here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doing some research for my DC who is a sophomore. Recent grad outcomes appear very pedestrian and it appears many are struggling to find work. Are the glory days for Harvard behind them? Serious question. I cannot find reasons why Harvard is any better than other schools in the top 50 USNWR rankings. Recent matriculants I have known personally are not that impressive and seem to be a blend of legacy, VIP and athlete. What am I missing? Perhaps it is a dying brand - what am I missing? Does the emperor have any clothes here?

Harvard's student and faculty quality are still excellent and it is unmatched as a global university outside of maybe Stanford. I think it is just the few things you've personally observed.

Also, I'm genuinely curious about what would really impress you in a high school/young college kid you only have a limited relationship with? I always crack up reading the "I know a few people and they don't impress me much line" on these boards.

[Anonymous]

Of course

[Anonymous]

Princeton is the overrated one (helped a lot over the last decade by USNWR). It really is HS and everyone else right now (many others are great but just not quite there).

[Anonymous]

Is it over-rated? Probably, but same goes for every other prestigious university. Harvard's strengths are its name brand and the massive amounts of cash it has. Those two (and their effects, such as influential faculty and good aid) make it a desirable school for lots of kids.

[Anonymous]

All these schools are overrated in terms of what they actually provide. But there are still A LOT of benefits from a Harvard degree

- signed a Harvard grad

[Anonymous]

It’s a super powerful brand, particularly its graduate schools and programs of study. Nothing I’ve heard about the undergrad experience ( 2nd hand) leads me to think it is an amazing college experience. Lots if TA led classes rather than professors, meh social life, super competitive environment full of boasty types. But for someone interested in the brand there’s nothing better.

[Anonymous]

Harvard's okay if you like old buildings and cold weather but all the savvy DCUM families send their kids to Clemson and Auburn nowadays.

[Anonymous]

I went to grad school at Harvard. Some great classes/profs and some not. Some great classmates/some not. Interesting people overall passing through. The brand is useful.

[Anonymous]

Overrated? It's an assemblage of many top scholars. For many grad programs, it is very prestigious. So are some other top universities across the board (yale, chicago, stanford, etc.) and then others are top in some areas. For the undergrad experience, it's hit or miss, but half of a university education is the degree stamp and certification and outside, Harvard is still salivated over more than most other peers. Take that for what it is, a leg up.

[Anonymous]

The value of the name recognition is higher than the quality of the education. But that’s still enough.

[Anonymous]

Let us know when your kid gets in and you turn it down as overrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Overrated? It's an assemblage of many top scholars. For many grad programs, it is very prestigious. So are some other top universities across the board (yale, chicago, stanford, etc.) and then others are top in some areas. For the undergrad experience, it's hit or miss, but half of a university education is the degree stamp and certification and outside, Harvard is still salivated over more than most other peers. Take that for what it is, a leg up.

Agreed. --another Harvard grad

[Anonymous]

Depends what you value. If you value attention to undergraduate education, it might be over-rated. According to USNews, which has a separate rating for best undergraduate teaching at national universities, it's tied for #18, with Miami University (Ohio). Close to this area, it's quite possible your student would get better teaching at William & Mary (tied for #7) or UMBC (tied for #9).

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/undergraduate-teaching

(They have a similar ranking for liberal arts colleges: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges/undergraduate-teaching)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends what you value. If you value attention to undergraduate education, it might be over-rated. According to USNews, which has a separate rating for best undergraduate teaching at national universities, it's tied for #18, with Miami University (Ohio). Close to this area, it's quite possible your student would get better teaching at William & Mary (tied for #7) or UMBC (tied for #9).

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/undergraduate-teaching

(They have a similar ranking for liberal arts colleges: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges/undergraduate-teaching)

I was trying to figure out how Elon could be at the tippy top of this list. Then I noticed that it’s generated by administrators voting on the degree to which a college prioritizes undergrads or something along those lines. I’m no Harvard booster, but I would consider this list fairly useless.