Applying to Yale instead of Harvard

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
D

Dr Gerrard

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2009
Messages
1,044
Reaction score
2
Members don't see this ad.
All right, so I have 11 schools I want to apply to. I don't want to make the list any longer.

My dad really wants me to apply to harvard (he is paying for the applications). If I didn't apply, I would have to lie and say I did but didn't get in.

But I have read past threads that Harvard med students were more cliquey or stuck up than other schools.

I have a 39/4.0 at an average state university, with good ECs but could use more volunteering.

I know this seems trivial, but I think $150 or so is on the line. What do you all think?
 
i have a feeling im going to regret making this.. lol
 
I've heard nothing but good things about Yale.


Here's what you tell your dad: I didn't apply to Harvard. Tough titties.
 
Is that because it makes you sound like you're 12?
 
Your dad is paying for you and he has just 1 request, you're a creep.
 
Dr Gerrard said:
All right, so I have 11 schools I want to apply to. I don't want to make the list any longer.

My dad really wants me to apply to harvard (he is paying for the applications). If I didn't apply, I would have to lie and say I did but didn't get in.

But I have read past threads that Harvard med students were more cliquey or stuck up than other schools.

I have a 39/4.0 at an average state university, with good ECs but could use more volunteering.

I know this seems trivial, but I think $150 or so is on the line. What do you all think?
Click to expand...

Meh, if your dad is willing to spend his own cash to let you apply, you might as well just apply. And it's not like Harvard's secondary is really hard or anything.

Also, keep in mind that any hearsay you read on SDN is still hearsay. For all you know, it could just be sour grapes from kids that applied to Harvard but didn't get in 🙄. It's much better to apply and, if you get an interview, go there and decide for yourself whether or not it's too cliquey for your tastes.
 
Harvard basically doesn't have a secondary. Just apply to both.
 
I had a spot left for one school and chose to apply to Penn over Harvard. Apply to wherever you want to. Personally, Harvard seems like a better curriculum (admittedly not a fan of the Yale system) in a better location. My roommate is attending Harvard next year and he really liked everyone he met at Second Look.

There are tools attending HMS, but I wouldn't think there were many more than at any other school, especially Yale. That shouldn't be a reason to discount the school. Although if he's paying and since Harvard's secondary is pretty lax (if you meet the LoR requirements, I didn't), I'm curious why you have such a desire for 11 schools?

But yeah, this thread is kinda sad...
 
Steeler7588 said:
I had a spot left for one school and chose to apply to Penn over Harvard. Apply to wherever you want to. Personally, Harvard seems like a better curriculum (admittedly not a fan of the Yale system) in a better location. My roommate is attending Harvard next year and he really liked everyone he met at Second Look.

There are tools attending HMS, but I wouldn't think there were many more than at any other school, especially Yale. That shouldn't be a reason to discount the school. Although if he's paying and since Harvard's secondary is pretty lax (if you meet the LoR requirements, I didn't), I'm curious why you have such a desire for 11 schools?

But yeah, this thread is kinda sad...
Click to expand...

yeah i just dont want to spend more of his money than he has to really..
its a really small issue, its just an internet forum

also, leon is the best minor character on CYE... good choice
 
The Yale System is pretty unique (http://medicine.yale.edu/education/yale_system.html), and it also has a required thesis. If this appeals to you, you should apply there.

If it's not your thing, then go ahead and just apply to Harvard.

If you are a fan of the Yale system and the only reason you're not applying to Harvard is because you heard from some random person that the people there are "cliquey," then you should apply to both. You can judge the students for yourself if/when you interview/get an acceptance.
 
Troll thread . . . . are you just trying to show off?

After busting your butt for your undergraduate career your going to throw away the keys to an awesome opportunity because of 150 bucks??? With the incredible med school tuition coming your way! sound reasoning. You saw a thread regarding harvard students as stuck up. Thats not surprising and im sure the same phenomenon would take place at any notorious school.

If you want to save money there are plenty of other ways you can do it.
 
Hey, if your dad gets his rocks off on your Harvard application, and pays the minimal costs of the application, apply. Why not? Hopefully, he also gets his rocks off on your mom.

Odds are, you will get rejected. If your dad treats you like a loser, tell him that he is the real loser, and ignore him for the rest of your life. Or wipe the drool off of his face when he is sitting in a wheel chair, urinating in his diaper and babbling nonsense in a few decades.
 
ColeOnTheRoll said:
Apply to both, problem solved.

You should regret making this thread, because it's quite possibly the easiest "problem" to solve.
Click to expand...


Agreed, a very dumb thread. "Should I apply to 12 instead of 11 med schools to make my annoying father happy so he does not think that I am a loser even though I got admitted to Yale and George Bush graduated from Yale (undergrad) so it is a cool school and I am cool even if I never can please my father?"
 
11 schools isn't even a lot. Don't count on all these top tier places just because you have high stats.
 
Yale has a rather unique curriculum. It specifically fits certain people and not others.

Make an educated decision based on that and not the prestige/name.

Also - it's only like $80 to apply to another. Save yourself a fancy dinner or two if it really makes that difference all the more worth it.

Also a 39/4.0 doesn't equate to success in the app process so I hope you have some safeties too.
 
morning said:
I've heard nothing but good things about Yale.


Here's what you tell your dad: I didn't apply to Harvard. Tough titties.
Click to expand...


Said the kitty when the milk went dry!
 
What happened to the kid being able to make his own decision. If he does not want to apply to Harvard, regardless of his decision being based on hearsay, then he should not apply to Harvard just to please his dad.

Bragging rights...so overrated
 
can we see your list of 11?

i think you should apply to more - i had really good stats (3.95, 40MCAT, ivy, ECs, etc.) and didn't get into 10 of the schools i applied to.
 
riceman04 said:
What happened to the kid being able to make his own decision. If he does not want to apply to Harvard, regardless of his decision being based on hearsay, then he should not apply to Harvard just to please his dad.

Bragging rights...so overrated
Click to expand...

Then he shouldn't accept his dad's money for the applications. You pay, you get to choose what you want. His dad is footing the bill, he decides what he gets to pay for.
 
NNukibw77 said:
can we see your list of 11?

i think you should apply to more - i had really good stats (3.95, 40MCAT, ivy, ECs, etc.) and didn't get into 10 of the schools i applied to.
Click to expand...


hey so which schools did you apply to? your stats seem pretty awesome.
 
I don't even know why there's a thread on this "problem". How hard is it to apply to both especially when someone else is paying the fees for you?

And I don't think you should be worried about Harvard students being described as cliquey and stuck-up if 1. you've never visited there yourself and 2. you haven't gotten in yet.
 
.
 
Last edited:
That's an awesome problem to have buddy. But for real, I bet that there are cool and pretentious people at both institutions. Apply to both, and if you get an interview at Haaavard, go ahead at visit, maybe meet with some students and give it a chance. Perhaps you will be surprised.
 
NNukibw77 said:
can we see your list of 11?

i think you should apply to more - i had really good stats (3.95, 40MCAT, ivy, ECs, etc.) and didn't get into 10 of the schools i applied to.
Click to expand...

Yet you also said that you applied "very late" in your MDApps. Probably would've been a whole different ballgame had you applied on time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

2026PreMed
  • Locked
How much of a Big Deal is it to just have clinical volunteer hours instead of Clinical employement hours
Replies
3
Views
954
chilly_md
chilly_md
T
Worth applying to Howard University?
Replies
13
Views
1K
Topiary56
T
F
  • Locked
What kind of school to apply
Replies
4
Views
528
chilly_md
chilly_md
D
Worth applying to Texas schools? 514
Replies
4
Views
3K
Adiemus
Adiemus
G
  • Locked
Is University of Washington worth applying to?
Replies
6
Views
1K
nuggetatheart
N
Top