Anonymous wrote:My uncle is a prof at MIT; he used to take me out to lunch when I was at Harvard, and he and his grad students (an ever present bevy who were always hanging out when I went by his office/lab) used to scoff at the idea of anyone going to "the little red schoolhouse across the river" for Comp Sci, or any other Sci (I was an English major, so they felt free to do this in front of me). Nobody who can get into MIT does Comp Sci at Harvard, and I imagine Berkeley is also stronger than Harvard for this.

Uh, you are on the same side of the river?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard, in a second, no question. A single vocational major won't be assured to define, nor economically protect, your DC. And UCB might open a few job doors, but Harvard will open many more.

I completely agree with above. Also, people change their minds about majors often.

True story: son's friend went to Harvard. Wanted to major in business undergrad, but told that he couldn't say no to Harvard. Was miserable there for 4 years and ultimately did not do well. Got accepted to mid-tier MBA school and now feels he is getting the education he was ready for years ago, except he's having to pay more for it.

Harvard is a good choice for the right people, but it is not the golden ticket to success and connections in life that people imagine it to be. There's something to be said for going to a school because it offers a good program in something you love and in fields like computer science, employers recognize this.

I have several friends/colleagues who went to Harvard undergrad. None of them liked it.

By contrast, I also have several colleagues who went to Harvard for grad school. All of them speak well of their experience.

sorry, hit enter too soon.

What I meant to add is: That said, wrt education, Harvard/Berkeley is a distinction without a difference. But the living will be very different. Where does the student want to go? I think it is safe to set aside worries about quality of education, value of degree, etc, and just think about lifestyle.

Thank you all for the informative information. DC feels Berkeley would offer stronger education for CS (EECS) and for CS grad school after graduation but it is difficult to turn down Harvard. He will have to decide soon.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard, in a second, no question. A single vocational major won't be assured to define, nor economically protect, your DC. And UCB might open a few job doors, but Harvard will open many more.

I completely agree with above. Also, people change their minds about majors often.

True story: son's friend went to Harvard. Wanted to major in business undergrad, but told that he couldn't say no to Harvard. Was miserable there for 4 years and ultimately did not do well. Got accepted to mid-tier MBA school and now feels he is getting the education he was ready for years ago, except he's having to pay more for it.

Harvard is a good choice for the right people, but it is not the golden ticket to success and connections in life that people imagine it to be. There's something to be said for going to a school because it offers a good program in something you love and in fields like computer science, employers recognize this.

I have several friends/colleagues who went to Harvard undergrad. None of them liked it.

By contrast, I also have several colleagues who went to Harvard for grad school. All of them speak well of their experience.

sorry, hit enter too soon.

What I meant to add is: That said, wrt education, Harvard/Berkeley is a distinction without a difference. But the living will be very different. Where does the student want to go? I think it is safe to set aside worries about quality of education, value of degree, etc, and just think about lifestyle.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard, in a second, no question. A single vocational major won't be assured to define, nor economically protect, your DC. And UCB might open a few job doors, but Harvard will open many more.

I completely agree with above. Also, people change their minds about majors often.

True story: son's friend went to Harvard. Wanted to major in business undergrad, but told that he couldn't say no to Harvard. Was miserable there for 4 years and ultimately did not do well. Got accepted to mid-tier MBA school and now feels he is getting the education he was ready for years ago, except he's having to pay more for it.

Harvard is a good choice for the right people, but it is not the golden ticket to success and connections in life that people imagine it to be. There's something to be said for going to a school because it offers a good program in something you love and in fields like computer science, employers recognize this.

I have several friends/colleagues who went to Harvard undergrad. None of them liked it.

By contrast, I also have several colleagues who went to Harvard for grad school. All of them speak well of their experience.

At Berkeley you will have waitlists for essential classes and not graduate on time.

Those rankings are for grad schools.

Harvard is still ranked plenty high and doesn't have "impacted majors" and suchlike hassles.

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of Harvard CS grads go to SV. I know a few of them.

Isn't this like studying engineering at Harvard? Bit unusual.

Berkeley.

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of Harvard CS grads go to SV. I know a few of them.

Do people wonder why they studied CS at Harvard?

Anonymous wrote:Comparison is a good move. Next move is to see if you can get into one or both.

Lot of college decisions are being made now. Don't make a snarky comment that only makes you come off as envious.

Anonymous wrote:Comparison is a good move. Next move is to see if you can get into one or both.

don't bother me with details.

Comparison is a good move. Next move is to see if you can get into one or both.

Berkeley for CS.

Plenty of Harvard CS grads go to SV. I know a few of them.

Went to Berkeley, although did not major in CS.

I would recommend Harvard.

Berkeley's CS program is incredible. It really truly is. That said, it is also extremely demanding. A lot of people also want to major in CS, so there are cut offs to get into the program.

Harvard's CS program isn't as well regarded, but it gives you more options if CS doesn't work out. There is no way of knowing for sure that your HS senior wants to make a lifetime of CS.

And its not like the employment prospects of a Harvard CS major are substantially worse than someone from Berkeley. This is like trying to split hairs between a 1560 SAT or a 1580, or living in McLean vs NW DC or N Arlington. All great options. So in this case go with the one that offers better fall back options.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard, in a second, no question. A single vocational major won't be assured to define, nor economically protect, your DC. And UCB might open a few job doors, but Harvard will open many more.

I completely agree with above. Also, people change their minds about majors often.

True story: son's friend went to Harvard. Wanted to major in business undergrad, but told that he couldn't say no to Harvard. Was miserable there for 4 years and ultimately did not do well. Got accepted to mid-tier MBA school and now feels he is getting the education he was ready for years ago, except he's having to pay more for it.

Harvard is a good choice for the right people, but it is not the golden ticket to success and connections in life that people imagine it to be. There's something to be said for going to a school because it offers a good program in something you love and in fields like computer science, employers recognize this.