Harvard potential 20% cap on A grades -- Harvard vs. Stanford (Undergrad)
I am fortunate enough to be deciding between Harvard and Stanford as an undergrad looking to get into finance or consulting. I serve on a budget committee for a large public entity's budget/spending/operations and I have a genuine interest/enjoyment in the work. I have no connections or massive sums of generational wealth, and both schools cost the same for me (will graduate without debt).
H:
- Edge in IB/PE (?) and consulting
- Better(more) recruiting infrastructure
- I like Boston > Palo Alto and NYC > SF
S:
- Edge in VC
- Better options/pathways to jump ship for whatever reason (i.e. tech, startups, engineering)
- Better weather (very minor for me)
Here's the big thing... I am concerned with the Harvard proposed 20% cap on A grades per course. It gets voted on after decision day and although I understand the reasons behind it, it feels like H undergrads will suffer in competitive recruiting/grad admissions where GPA is heavily considered. Why interview a Harvard kid with a 3.5 when you can interview a Princeton/Wharton kid with a 3.9?
It feels pretty dumb to be worried about grade caps or deflation when choosing where to get an education, but it also seems important for a field like finance where GPA can make or break interview offers. That being said, 1) it's not certain to be passed; 2) I've heard conflicting things about its likelihood, and 3) it's still completely possible to get A's, but time-consuming and highly dependent on my classmates' performances.
Is it really prudent to go to Harvard and spend my waking hours studying to try and stay in the top 20% of every class, over going to Stanford where I can spend that time diversifying or working on interviews/cases/networking? My GPA would almost certainly be lower than at Yale/Dartmouth/Stanford etc. so still a big deal imo
I also have Rice, NYU(not Stern), and the rest of the ivies except Upenn and Princeton(technically waitlist) as options. Thoughts/anything else I should consider would be greatly appreciated.
When deciding between Harvard and Stanford for undergrad with a focus on finance or consulting, here are the key considerations based on the most helpful WSO content:
Harvard:
Stanford:
Key Considerations:
Other Schools:
Final Thoughts:
If your primary goal is finance or consulting, Harvard's edge in recruiting and alumni connections makes it a strong choice, even with the potential grade cap. However, if you're concerned about GPA and want more flexibility to explore other industries, Stanford's grade inflation and proximity to Silicon Valley might make it the better fit. Ultimately, both schools will open doors to top opportunities, so consider where you feel you'll thrive academically, socially, and professionally.
Sources: A Letter To All Top 10 University Kids Complaining About Recruiting, MBA: Stanford or Harvard?, Stanford vs Wharton vs Booth vs Columbia for PE, UChicago or Brown for undergrad?, Target vs. Non-Target
As a first-year at Harvard, go to Stanford if you want to avoid the wrath of Dean Claybaugh.
White male?
You prefer Boston and NYC. And I do not see why you would necessarily have to spend your waking hours trying to stay in the top 20% of the class, which in itself does not sound that hard (depends on the classes you take, of course). And it is not like you would necessarily end up with a 3.5 GPA. You could have a 3.7+ and the Harvard brand would still carry.
Straight mixed wasian male so no diversity
Stanford
There’s more or less a fixed quota of spots for each target, so Harvards gpa stuff won’t impact you in any way and may actually help you by making it easier to stand out against peers. Congrats and hope this helps
Harvard
No chance any firm stops hiring from Harvard just because GPAs are a little lower. It’s not ideal but it’s still Harvard…
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