Columbia or Harvey Mudd?

[Anonymous]

I see. If she doesn't want to do tech then no it might not be a good fit for her. In fact it would probably be a horrible fit.

[Anonymous]

Isn't Columbia University engineering also segregated by college? Can student easily switch to Columbia College?

And what about Harvey? Can student switch to Pomona, or other 5Cs?

You should look into the latter possibility. It's a consortium.

[Anonymous]

Well, at the moment, she does want to do computer science. Wouldn't have applied to Mudd otherwise.

Not sure on the relationships with other colleges, will have to look into that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your pros and cons are skewed to favor Harvey Mudd.

But as a European living in this country I say take Columbia, I have never even heard of this ridiculously named place, Harvey Mudd. Who cares how much money they pay you? They should be paying you a WAGE to attend if you are eligible at Columbia.

Europeans and others should be advised that we have undergraduate-only residential colleges in addition to the research universities, which of course include undergraduate colleges. A select few of these small colleges attract students with dazzling academic qualifications. Students emerge from these specialized undergraduate programs extremely well-prepared to take their places in graduate programs at prestigious research universities. Harvey Mudd, with its famously high test scores and rigorous work expectations, is one of those small colleges.

For whatever it may be worth, next year, my own DC will attend The College at a highly selective research university-- with my enthusiastic blessing, so I see both sides. But there's no need to dismiss a very effective segment of the undergraduate education options in the US just because your experience is limited. Small colleges are often much more effective at developing students' analytical skills, empowering them to become both better scholars and better citizens.

[Anonymous]

Just curious. Both are need based F/A schools. How did it turn out full ride vs. full pay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Academics in STEM will know Harvey Mudd well. It sounds like some PPs are reigniting the debate DCUM so often seems to fall into re. name recognition among lay people and other factors pretty distant from the academic environment.

That said, I agree there are pros and cons to both. You've made a good list, OP. What is your DC thinking?

We can finance Columbia. Daughter definitely prefers the vibe at Mudd, but is afraid about what could happen if she decides she doesn't want to do STEM. All her friends/family are puzzling over Mudd as well, so while she knows Mudd has good tech outcomes, what happens if she didn't want to do that?

Mudd seems like a riskier option, basically.

She can take plenty of classes at the other 5Cs if she decides tech isn’t for her. That’s the beauty of the consortium. Speaking of beauty, the Mudd buildings may not be particularly attractive, but Scripps is a block away and considered one of the most beautiful campuses in he US. Claremont is certainly not New York, but I would think that’s a plus for college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your pros and cons are skewed to favor Harvey Mudd.

But as a European living in this country I say take Columbia, I have never even heard of this ridiculously named place, Harvey Mudd. Who cares how much money they pay you? They should be paying you a WAGE to attend if you are eligible at Columbia.

Europeans and others should be advised that we have undergraduate-only residential colleges in addition to the research universities, which of course include undergraduate colleges. A select few of these small colleges attract students with dazzling academic qualifications. Students emerge from these specialized undergraduate programs extremely well-prepared to take their places in graduate programs at prestigious research universities. Harvey Mudd, with its famously high test scores and rigorous work expectations, is one of those small colleges.

For whatever it may be worth, next year, my own DC will attend The College at a highly selective research university-- with my enthusiastic blessing, so I see both sides. But there's no need to dismiss a very effective segment of the undergraduate education options in the US just because your experience is limited. Small colleges are often much more effective at developing students' analytical skills, empowering them to become both better scholars and better citizens.

Not to mention you can take courses at Pomona, which is also one of those schools. The other Claremont Colleges are super strong too- all are highly ranked and regarded. Here's a map for outsidiers to understand just how close each school physically is: https://s10268.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Metrolink-Map-1024x887.jpeg It's like a giant university complex but with LACs instead of undergrad colleges.

[Anonymous]

i was born in another country in the middle east, even as a kid in the other part of the world. i knew about 2 universities in America. Harvard and columbia.
Columbia acceptance is 5%. this is an amazing achievement.
Congratulations!
Definitely Columbia, that will open a lot more doors for her versus another school that is probably terrific but most people have never heard of it including me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your pros and cons are skewed to favor Harvey Mudd.

But as a European living in this country I say take Columbia, I have never even heard of this ridiculously named place, Harvey Mudd. Who cares how much money they pay you? They should be paying you a WAGE to attend if you are eligible at Columbia.

Europeans and others should be advised that we have undergraduate-only residential colleges in addition to the research universities, which of course include undergraduate colleges. A select few of these small colleges attract students with dazzling academic qualifications. Students emerge from these specialized undergraduate programs extremely well-prepared to take their places in graduate programs at prestigious research universities. Harvey Mudd, with its famously high test scores and rigorous work expectations, is one of those small colleges.

For whatever it may be worth, next year, my own DC will attend The College at a highly selective research university-- with my enthusiastic blessing, so I see both sides. But there's no need to dismiss a very effective segment of the undergraduate education options in the US just because your experience is limited. Small colleges are often much more effective at developing students' analytical skills, empowering them to become both better scholars and better citizens.

You're a windbag, grandpa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Academics in STEM will know Harvey Mudd well. It sounds like some PPs are reigniting the debate DCUM so often seems to fall into re. name recognition among lay people and other factors pretty distant from the academic environment.

That said, I agree there are pros and cons to both. You've made a good list, OP. What is your DC thinking?

We can finance Columbia. Daughter definitely prefers the vibe at Mudd, but is afraid about what could happen if she decides she doesn't want to do STEM. All her friends/family are puzzling over Mudd as well, so while she knows Mudd has good tech outcomes, what happens if she didn't want to do that?

Mudd seems like a riskier option, basically.

Well that's easy - Pomona, Scripps, Pitzer, Claremont. Take classes or enroll there. One of my friend's DDs who could not get into Clarement enrolled at Scripps at takes classes on the other campuses.

[Anonymous]

I have a Kid at TJ who would love to go to Mudd for Engineering for undergrad. Most kids he knows who are interested in engineering are looking at applying— except the 1st Gen Asian kid whose parents don’t think a school has no value unless it is an Ivy. It’s small— about 200 kids total per class- and it does offer merit aid. No grad school, which I think can be a huge positive. Very small classes and profs focused on the undergrads. Lots of research opportunities. Most classes under 20 kids, and not big lectures.

Flyover America is probably unaware of Mudd, but people who know about STEM definitely know and respect it. A kid who graduates from Mudd will have no trouble going to any grad school, anywhere.

Mudd offers degrees in other STEM fields as well.


75% SATs are 1580. They want kids who can handle STEM and basic humanities. It’s a wonderful opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Academics in STEM will know Harvey Mudd well. It sounds like some PPs are reigniting the debate DCUM so often seems to fall into re. name recognition among lay people and other factors pretty distant from the academic environment.

That said, I agree there are pros and cons to both. You've made a good list, OP. What is your DC thinking?

We can finance Columbia. Daughter definitely prefers the vibe at Mudd, but is afraid about what could happen if she decides she doesn't want to do STEM. All her friends/family are puzzling over Mudd as well, so while she knows Mudd has good tech outcomes, what happens if she didn't want to do that?

Mudd seems like a riskier option, basically.

Well that's easy - Pomona, Scripps, Pitzer, Claremont. Take classes or enroll there. One of my friend's DDs who could not get into Clarement enrolled at Scripps at takes classes on the other campuses.

You can cross register within the 5c. But OP's concern is what happens if the student doesn't want a STEM major? You still need a major at Harvey?

[Anonymous]

If she's interested in computer science then she should go for it at Harvey Mudd. It's true the consortium will be there if she decides to not major in tech/sciences.

Don't waste your money at Columbia, save it for other future big-ticket life expenditures like helping with a down-payment on her first home. She will be well set-up with a degree from Harvey Mudd, especially one that is on a full ride.

[Anonymous]

Harvey Mudd is TINY. 850 total students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Harvey Mudd is TINY. 850 total students.

Yes, but it's in a consortium of 7 schools which has 6000 undergrads. The social events are open across the schools, as are dining halls, course catalogs, and such. It doesn't feel as small as it would on paper.