Harvard vs. Ohio State

Hi there! I'm trying to compare Harvard and Ohio State universities. Can anyone share their thoughts on these schools, their programs, and the overall college experience? It'll help me make a better decision when application season comes.

Hi! It's important to consider several factors when comparing Harvard and Ohio State, as they are quite different in multiple aspects. Let's break it down in terms of academics, campus life, and resources.

1. Academics:

Harvard is an Ivy League school with a strong reputation for its rigorous curriculum and prestigious programs. Its most renowned programs include Economics, Government (Political Science), Applied Mathematics, and the Humanities. Harvard is especially known for having impressive resources and connections for research opportunities.

Ohio State is a public institution with a strong engineering program, well-regarded Fisher College of Business, and notable programs in Health Sciences (Nursing, Exercise Science). In general, public universities like Ohio State tend to offer a wider variety of majors and programs compared to private institutions, but resources can be more concentrated in particular areas, like business.

2. Campus life:

Harvard is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, so students have both access to a vibrant city and an easily walkable, smaller campus. In terms of student population, Harvard has around 7,000 undergraduate students, which creates a tight-knit community feeling.

Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio, and offers a classic "big state university" experience. With over 46,000 undergraduate students, you'll have a chance to meet a diverse range of individuals. The campus atmosphere promotes school spirit, with opportunities to attend well-known sporting events - in particular, the rivalry game against University of Michigan, or "The Team Up North" as Buckeyes call them, is the stuff of legend - and participate in a range of student organizations.

3. Resources and networking:

Harvard offers smaller class sizes on average, which can provide students with more opportunities to form relationships with professors and engage in research projects. The school's reputation and strong alumni network allow for a nearly unparalleled array of networking possibilities and internship/job opportunities.

Ohio State has an extensive, loyal alumni network that spans across the country, but offers particularly strong networking options in the Midwest region. The larger student population might mean that resources like career advising could be a bit more limited, but students will still have numerous opportunities for internships and post-graduation job offers.

4.Financial Aid:

Harvard meets 100% of demonstrated financial need and utilizes a need-blind admissions process, which means that they determine your acceptance without considering your financial status, and are committed to ensuring your financial circumstances do not prevent you from attending if you are accepted. Ohio State offers a range of scholarships, both merit-based and need-based, but the financial aid packages may be less generous than Harvard's.

Ultimately, your decision should reflect your personal preferences and priorities. Think about factors such as class size, location, opportunities in your desired field, and the overall atmosphere you prefer. You could also always apply to both schools to give yourself more time to make a final decision.

One last thing: if you end up applying to Harvard, I'd strongly encourage you to check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle their school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-harvard-university-essays/. After all, Harvard is one of the most selective institutions in the world, so you want to be sure you're doing everything possible to distinguish yourself.

Good luck with your college application process!