Is Harvard over-rated?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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

NP. Could you explain more, please?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

+1 so much this

Nope that's your wishful thinking.

Data says you don't get much benefit from mediocre majors.

GMU CS >> Harvard English in terms of benefit.

In terms of what they actually provide, majors matter much more.

What a facile way of looking at this. How much value does a CS degree provide someone who doesn’t want to study CS?

Of course, not everyone can get into Harvard, and not everyone can handle serious majors.If the school is truly elite and worthwhile with benefits, a student with any major should outperform a student with more elite majors at much lesser schools. it's far from the case. 

Hence it's overrated and not too beneficial overall. 

The fact is that elite majors matter more and beneficial.

The fact that you think elite majors exist is still weird. For an individual student the best college experience is the one that allows them to flourish and excel and later gain the most opportunities in the field of their choosing. If you are into music, go to the school that best serves that interest even if you make less money (let’s admit that is the only “benefit” you are measuring and then only five to ten years out).

Elite majors are more real than elite colleges based on how they get valued and compensated in society and the industries.
The benefits are much more clear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

+1 so much this

Nope that's your wishful thinking.

Data says you don't get much benefit from mediocre majors.

GMU CS >> Harvard English in terms of benefit.

In terms of what they actually provide, majors matter much more.

What a facile way of looking at this. How much value does a CS degree provide someone who doesn’t want to study CS?

Of course, not everyone can get into Harvard, and not everyone can handle serious majors.If the school is truly elite and worthwhile with benefits, a student with any major should outperform a student with more elite majors at much lesser schools. it's far from the case. 

Hence it's overrated and not too beneficial overall. 

The fact is that elite majors matter more and beneficial.

The fact that you think elite majors exist is still weird. For an individual student the best college experience is the one that allows them to flourish and excel and later gain the most opportunities in the field of their choosing. If you are into music, go to the school that best serves that interest even if you make less money (let’s admit that is the only “benefit” you are measuring and then only five to ten years out).

Elite majors are more real than elite colleges based on how they get valued and compensated in society and the industries.
The benefits are much more clear.

Sure, that's why elite majors like cs community college boot camps trump ivy league humanities. Always choose elite community college over non-elite ivy league.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

+1 so much this

Nope that's your wishful thinking.

Data says you don't get much benefit from mediocre majors.

GMU CS >> Harvard English in terms of benefit.

In terms of what they actually provide, majors matter much more.

What a facile way of looking at this. How much value does a CS degree provide someone who doesn’t want to study CS?

Of course, not everyone can get into Harvard, and not everyone can handle serious majors.If the school is truly elite and worthwhile with benefits, a student with any major should outperform a student with more elite majors at much lesser schools. it's far from the case. 

Hence it's overrated and not too beneficial overall. 

The fact is that elite majors matter more and beneficial.

The fact that you think elite majors exist is still weird. For an individual student the best college experience is the one that allows them to flourish and excel and later gain the most opportunities in the field of their choosing. If you are into music, go to the school that best serves that interest even if you make less money (let’s admit that is the only “benefit” you are measuring and then only five to ten years out).

Elite majors are more real than elite colleges based on how they get valued and compensated in society and the industries.
The benefits are much more clear.

Sure, that's why elite majors like cs community college boot camps trump ivy league humanities. Always choose elite community college over non-elite ivy league.

Nope, bootcamps at community colleges or for profit schools are like Harvard Extension school.
It's like choosing Harvard Extension over real colleges just because it says Harvard.
It doesn't work most of the time.
Some of the successful ones from bootcamps normally have a college degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I am fortunate enough to be attending a graduate program of a Midwestern flagship university, where the advisor in a Harvard graduate and a few of the professors are Ivy League alum. With that said, the worst professors in terms of being organized, able to communicate with the students, and delivering program rigor are from Ivy League. Give me a professor with a Ph.D. from a flagship state university any semester, and I will have a professor who is organized, able to communicate with students and deliver a rigorous courseload.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I am fortunate enough to be attending a graduate program of a Midwestern flagship university, where the advisor in a Harvard graduate and a few of the professors are Ivy League alum. With that said, the worst professors in terms of being organized, able to communicate with the students, and delivering program rigor are from Ivy League. Give me a professor with a Ph.D. from a flagship state university any semester, and I will have a professor who is organized, able to communicate with students and deliver a rigorous courseload.

But your crappy professors are actually at the Midwest flagship right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I am fortunate enough to be attending a graduate program of a Midwestern flagship university, where the advisor in a Harvard graduate and a few of the professors are Ivy League alum. With that said, the worst professors in terms of being organized, able to communicate with the students, and delivering program rigor are from Ivy League. Give me a professor with a Ph.D. from a flagship state university any semester, and I will have a professor who is organized, able to communicate with students and deliver a rigorous courseload.

One prof and you make a judgment about Harvard in general? Weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

+1 so much this

Nope that's your wishful thinking.

Data says you don't get much benefit from mediocre majors.

GMU CS >> Harvard English in terms of benefit.

In terms of what they actually provide, majors matter much more.

What a facile way of looking at this. How much value does a CS degree provide someone who doesn’t want to study CS?

Of course, not everyone can get into Harvard, and not everyone can handle serious majors.If the school is truly elite and worthwhile with benefits, a student with any major should outperform a student with more elite majors at much lesser schools. it's far from the case. 

Hence it's overrated and not too beneficial overall. 

The fact is that elite majors matter more and beneficial.

The fact that you think elite majors exist is still weird. For an individual student the best college experience is the one that allows them to flourish and excel and later gain the most opportunities in the field of their choosing. If you are into music, go to the school that best serves that interest even if you make less money (let’s admit that is the only “benefit” you are measuring and then only five to ten years out).

Elite majors are more real than elite colleges based on how they get valued and compensated in society and the industries.
The benefits are much more clear.

Fair enough but their is a big price to oay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I am fortunate enough to be attending a graduate program of a Midwestern flagship university, where the advisor in a Harvard graduate and a few of the professors are Ivy League alum. With that said, the worst professors in terms of being organized, able to communicate with the students, and delivering program rigor are from Ivy League. Give me a professor with a Ph.D. from a flagship state university any semester, and I will have a professor who is organized, able to communicate with students and deliver a rigorous courseload.

Flyover podunk universities attract those who can't go elsewhere. How do you think they ended up there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Yes I would prefer my DD to study in a female unfree state prone to extreme weather events!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

NP. Could you explain more, please?

DP - do you think anyone who gets a resume across their desk of a Harvard grad thinks "eh, that schools alright?". Heck no! When someone says they went to Harvard, people have a favorable impression. The degree gets you in doors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I am fortunate enough to be attending a graduate program of a Midwestern flagship university, where the advisor in a Harvard graduate and a few of the professors are Ivy League alum. With that said, the worst professors in terms of being organized, able to communicate with the students, and delivering program rigor are from Ivy League. Give me a professor with a Ph.D. from a flagship state university any semester, and I will have a professor who is organized, able to communicate with students and deliver a rigorous courseload.

Flyover podunk universities attract those who can't go elsewhere. How do you think they ended up there?

Well then you would have to face the reality that you are there as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

NP. Could you explain more, please?

DP - do you think anyone who gets a resume across their desk of a Harvard grad thinks "eh, that schools alright?". Heck no! When someone says they went to Harvard, people have a favorable impression. The degree gets you in doors.

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?166027-Harvard-University&fos_code=2301&fos_credential=3
Harvard English = $43845

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?164924-Boston-College&fos_code=5208&fos_credential=3
Bosnton College Finance = $94,626

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?167358-Northeastern-University
Northeastern Computer Science = $108,000

Elite majors matter much more unless you have rich dad, fancy connections, and/or trust fund.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

USNWR is based on administrators voting and they often won't know that much about actual teaching. Student survey based stuff like Princeton Review and Niche may be better indicators.

[Anonymous]

Harvard is the type of school where you can study art history or “Government” and still end up with a lucrative career in finance.

Whatever that tangible benefit is called….people really want it. I bet there’s a German word for this.