Son Admitted From Harvard Waitlist. Need Help Deciding
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Anonymous
| My son was recently admitted from the Harvard waitlist. He was all set to attend Brown. Normally, it would be an instant "yes," but the Harvard cap on A's has him hesitating. While he isn't entirely sure about his career path, he's considering law school and is worried that a lower GPA will hurt his post-grad chances. What does everyone think? |
Anonymous
| My husband had a recent grad from Brown who graduated Summa and was so incompetent he had to fire her after six months. Getting A's isn't always the best thing for a student. |
Anonymous
| An A- gpa with good extra curriculars won’t disqualify him from good law schools, especially if he works post grad |
Anonymous
I’m not sure getting A- at Harvard would’ve made her more competent |
Anonymous
|
I have a premed at Brown, their boyfriend is pre-law. They both love the open curriculum, one even went through the lengthy process to create an independent concentration. It really makes for interesting coursework and narratives when applying. Lots to talk about in essays and interviews. The A grades aren’t given out like candy despite what people may say.
Both great options, good luck on the decision. |
Anonymous
|
Where does he want to go to school? I think the A cap will only last about a year or two. Also, it’s Harvard. If he wants to go there, just go. I wouldn’t overthink this. Harvard students were always undercutting each other for grades so I’m not sure what’s different now. At least with online texts they’ll stop hiding copies in the library so no one else can read them. If he really wants to be at Harvard he should go. No one really cares that much about your GPA if you have the crimson H on your diploma. I’ve walked around with the Blue Y for decades and my GPA has never come up. They only see the four letters on the diploma. They didn’t even calculate GPAs for us so I have no idea what mine is.
If you can’t tell, I’d choose Brown because it’s less insane. But Harvard will always have a certain cachet. |
Anonymous
| If you are asking this question, you are probably not Harvard material. Go with Brown. |
Anonymous
|
I get his anxiety about the GPA, because it's true some moron companies state they have a cut-off. If he doesn't meet it, he could just send his resume anyway, because who won't want to meet with a Harvard grad just a few tenths away from an arbitrary cutoff?
But if he's attached to the Brown open curricular, that is something special that Brown does. All great choices anyway, OP! Congratulations! |
Anonymous
Can you please get a life? |
Anonymous
This is not what op is talking about. They’re worried about law school admissions, which are incredibly gpa centric |
Anonymous
| The GPA for law school issue is real. A little research will reveal that the top law schools all have median undergraduate GPAs of over 3.9. It’s highly likely that law schools will adjust to the Harvard change, but no one can guarantee it. I wouldn’t reject Harvard on that issue alone. Your son should go where he’s most comfortable and thus most likely to succeed. |
Anonymous
| Law school aside, the A cap at Harvard will lead to more competition and less collaboration among students. Study groups, sharing tips, etc., will be out of the window for many students. I wouldn't go, honestly. Not now. |
Anonymous
This is my line of thinking, I worry more about what it’ll do to the student culture with high achievers almost more than the gpa concerns. |
Anonymous
| Tell him you don't have any expectation, no expectation that he will choose Harvard. Tell him to go with his gut |
Anonymous
|
Your son is more likely to get in to a top law school if he is from Harvard or Yale or Stanford, assuming the grades are top and the LSAT scores are over 170.
--law prof |