Anonymous wrote:Don't take this the wrong way - I am sure the OP's kid is smart. Does anyone ever factor in how challenging it must be to be a student in Harvard classes? And be surrounded for 4 years by Harvard students? I mean - does the magically networking fairy bless everyone that goes there? Not without a price...and I don't mean just money.

The hardest part about Harvard is getting in. It's a trope, but there is a lot of truth in it. If OP had said MIT or Cal or Cal Tech, I'd agree, but he can be a History or English major at Harvard and be fine.

Anonymous wrote:Don't take this the wrong way - I am sure the OP's kid is smart. Does anyone ever factor in how challenging it must be to be a student in Harvard classes? And be surrounded for 4 years by Harvard students? I mean - does the magically networking fairy bless everyone that goes there? Not without a price...and I don't mean just money.

Jared Kushner graduated from Harvard, didn't he? Your point is?

Don't take this the wrong way - I am sure the OP's kid is smart. Does anyone ever factor in how challenging it must be to be a student in Harvard classes? And be surrounded for 4 years by Harvard students? I mean - does the magically networking fairy bless everyone that goes there? Not without a price...and I don't mean just money.

Anonymous wrote:If your son likes Miami, I’d have him go to Miami. Life’s too short to make choices based on other people’s perceptions of prestige. If he does well in undergrad he can always go somewhere fancier for grad school if he’s motivated. And if he’s not motivated, he might as well enjoy himself in a new place that he’s excited about.

Agree with this. I actually have a friend who’s son faced the same choice. He picked Miami. It seems like he’s always been a “follow your own path” sort of kid (which may be part of why Harvard admitted him!), but he seems quite happy at Miami and it works for him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't like how you all are such complete sheep for Harvard. If Harvard comes calling, you will all drop everything, fall in line and say "yes". Like it's the best path for every human.
It doesn't matter where the kid wants to live, what he wants to study, what kind of college he wants to attend. He must attend Harvard. Even if he's miserable there, he must attend Harvard.
Because nothing else matters than college pedigree and future job prospects.

Just telling it like it is. The kid will probably have a totally great life if he does U-Miami, especially if that's where he will be emotionally fulfilled. Harvard can certainly be a toxic place. But that's true of any university that might not be a good fit for the kid.

However, Harvard - particularly in varsity athletics - opens waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more doors than U-Miami. Doors that remain open for life.

Your kid needs to weigh the realistic trade-offs.

OP here. He is good enough for D1 schools but not good enough to be a pro. He plays one of the elite and wealthy sports.

As far as networking is concerned, his grandfather and uncle are already in the wealth management and investment banking business so he will be fine with either Miami or Harvard. At the moment, he thinks University of Miami is a better fit for him than Harvard. He just can't see himself in the Northeast cold weather between November and March.

OP, your kid was born not just on third base - already a home run. If he is set up for life, why not let him go wherre he wants? You can always casually drop into conversation that he turned down Harvard if you are concnerend about the bragging rights.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is dumb enough to prefer Miami for it's weather - I say go for it, make the change and open up a spot for some smarter and clearly more deserving kid to Harvard.

Harsh, but not totally inaccurate. OP's son is thinking very short term.

I cannot understand why anyone would select a college based on weather rather than academics. Aren't we talking about education rather than club med? That said, the only kids I know who struggled at Harvard were the athletes. Not all of them of course, but maybe this kid knows he's not cut out for the top academic environment in the world or just doesn't want to do the work.

Miami is a huge party school. There is a lot of pressure to go to the city of Miami to party. If you son is serious about both sport and school - it will be difficult for him

If your son likes Miami, I’d have him go to Miami. Life’s too short to make choices based on other people’s perceptions of prestige. If he does well in undergrad he can always go somewhere fancier for grad school if he’s motivated. And if he’s not motivated, he might as well enjoy himself in a new place that he’s excited about.

How is this even a question?
Harvard.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't like how you all are such complete sheep for Harvard. If Harvard comes calling, you will all drop everything, fall in line and say "yes". Like it's the best path for every human.
It doesn't matter where the kid wants to live, what he wants to study, what kind of college he wants to attend. He must attend Harvard. Even if he's miserable there, he must attend Harvard.
Because nothing else matters than college pedigree and future job prospects.

Just telling it like it is. The kid will probably have a totally great life if he does U-Miami, especially if that's where he will be emotionally fulfilled. Harvard can certainly be a toxic place. But that's true of any university that might not be a good fit for the kid.

However, Harvard - particularly in varsity athletics - opens waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more doors than U-Miami. Doors that remain open for life.

Your kid needs to weigh the realistic trade-offs.

OP here. He is good enough for D1 schools but not good enough to be a pro. He plays one of the elite and wealthy sports.

As far as networking is concerned, his grandfather and uncle are already in the wealth management and investment banking business so he will be fine with either Miami or Harvard. At the moment, he thinks University of Miami is a better fit for him than Harvard. He just can't see himself in the Northeast cold weather between November and March.

What exactly is this? Sailing? You sound totally unsufferable, by the way.

Anonymous wrote:If he is dumb enough to prefer Miami for it's weather - I say go for it, make the change and open up a spot for some smarter and clearly more deserving kid to Harvard.

Harsh, but not totally inaccurate. OP's son is thinking very short term.

Anonymous wrote:My son’s roommate picked their school over Harvard for the same reason your son is thinking.

But his family could not afford Harvard.

The U is ranked #55, not bad.

If your son wants to do politics or law or finance I’d do Harvard, otherwise I’d go the u.

If his grandfather and father is the connection no need to go to Harvard.

But if they are venture capitalists and want to invest in new companies I might say Harvard because that’s why kids go to Harvard, yo find rich kids to invest in their companies.

The Florida school only gave him a 50% tuition scholarship so I am doubting a pro career.. I would choose Harvard.

My son’s roommate picked their school over Harvard for the same reason your son is thinking.

But his family could not afford Harvard.

The U is ranked #55, not bad.

If your son wants to do politics or law or finance I’d do Harvard, otherwise I’d go the u.

As far as networking is concerned, his grandfather and uncle are already in the wealth management and investment banking business so he will be fine with either Miami or Harvard. At the moment, he thinks University of Miami is a better fit for him than Harvard.

Doesn't this ^ settle it? He already has professional connections and doesn't need to worry about being unemployed after graduation. He has decided Miami is a better fit for him.
I know it's hard to say no to a school like Harvard. I admit I clicked on this thread because I was curious about why someone would do that. But now I know. These seem like very reasonable reasons. And it's not like Univ of Miami is a subpar school. I just checked and it's #55 on the US News list! He's experiencing a life he enjoys and it sounds like there are good opportunities there, so why take that away from him? I say let him be an adult and make his own decision.