Harvard vs. MIT - which one to choose?

Yo, so I've been growing my college list recently. Both Harvard and MIT take the cake with their reputation and courses. But I'm torn between the two. Can someone help with some solid comparison points - academia, campus life, opportunities, that sort of stuff?

When considering academics, both Harvard and MIT are known for their rigorous and unparalleled course offerings. The key differences lie in the concentrations they specialize in. Harvard is esteemed for its programs in government, economics, history, English, psychology, and biomedical sciences. It is also known for its strong liberal arts focus, offering a wider range of humanities subjects. Conversely, MIT is highly recognized for its programs in engineering, computer sciences, and physical sciences.

Regarding campus life, Harvard and MIT have very distinct environments. Harvard has a more traditional collegiate atmosphere complete with historic buildings, residential houses, and student-led social events. Its residential system also fosters a sense of community, as it assigns students to one of 12 houses where they would live for the remainder of their academic tenure. On the other hand, MIT boasts of a more modern and techy vibe. Interestingly, even the living situation at MIT is unique: students are allowed to select the dorms they want to live in, each having its own distinctive culture and traditions.

In terms of opportunities, both institutions boast of a plethora of resources. Harvard students can benefit from the extensive network of alumni and the broader Harvard University ecosystem, which can open doors for internships, research, and job opportunities, particularly in the political, business, and cultural sectors. MIT, on the other hand, is located in the heart of Kendall Square, often dubbed as "the most innovative square mile on the planet", with lots of tech startups and major companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook. This proximity provides students with myriad opportunities to land internships and jobs within the tech and engineering sectors.

It's also worth mentioning that despite these comparisons, MIT and Harvard students have access to many of the resources and classes of both institutions. This is a unique opportunity which could be a great factor to consider in your decision-making process - while your experience at each school would be different, you can almost have the best of both worlds!

Of course, you could also always apply to both and give yourself more time to make a final decision, unless you were thinking of applying to Harvard under their Restrictive Early Action plan. Regardless of which one(s) you end up applying to, I'd check out CollegeVine's blog for guidance on how to maximize your chances of acceptance. The posts listed below show how to break down each school's application essays:

- Harvard: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-harvard-university-essays/

- MIT: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-mit-application-essays

Keep in mind that the most important thing is to choose a school that aligns best with your interests, future goals, and where you think you'd thrive personally. Ultimately, these are two of the most prestigious institutions in the world, so you can't go wrong. Good luck!