Harvard vs. Northwestern

[tomyum]

I am interested in theoretical chemistry and I am having a hard time deciding between Harvard and Northwestern. I visited both schools and they have completely different environments. Any insights on the goods and bads of northwestern and harvard ?

[chaospaladin]

I am interested in theoretical chemistry and I am having a hard time deciding between Harvard and Northwestern. I visited both schools and they have completely different environments. Any insights on the goods and bads of northwestern and harvard ?

You should email the PIs at each school to see how long they will fund you, in case you don't get a PhD within 5 years. Some PIs will fund students for more than 5 years. I know of a student who went to the same undergraduate and graduate school for 15 years (6 years for undergraduate and 9 years for graduate). He selected that particular school because he knew it was a safe option since he would still get his PhD even if he can't get them within 5 years.

[tomyum]

Both schools are pretty good at funding, so funding is not much of a concern. I am more concerned about the research environment. I fear that Harvard might be too competitive and seems like the students don't help each other out.

You should email the PIs at each school to see how long they will fund you, in case you don't get a PhD within 5 years. Some PIs will fund students for more than 5 years. I know of a student who went to the same undergraduate and graduate school for 15 years (6 years for undergraduate and 9 years for graduate). He selected that particular school because he knew it was a safe option since he would still get his PhD even if he can't get them within 5 years.

[prolixity]

Both schools are pretty good at funding, so funding is not much of a concern. I am more concerned about the research environment. I fear that Harvard might be too competitive and seems like the students don't help each other out.

This is a false assumption. Did you visit Harvard last week?

[tomyum]

This is a false assumption. Did you visit Harvard last week?

yes, I did. Why do you think that it is a false assumption?

[prolixity]

yes, I did. Why do you think that it is a false assumption?

I'm just speaking from experience. There is plenty of collaboration, cooperation, and interaction between the students. That said, I hope you are able to arrive at a decision. Both are excellent programs.

[tomyum]

I'm just speaking from experience. There is plenty of collaboration, cooperation, and interaction between the students. That said, I hope you are able to arrive at a decision. Both are excellent programs.

Proxiity do you go to harvard? Do students do joint research with two PIs? What kind of collaboration takes place between labs?

My main concern is that I went to a very small school which did not have a strong chemistry program. Many of the prospectives had already taken graduate level courses, therefore I think I will need helpful classmates. Is working together for assignments encouraged and practiced? or do students work very independently? Moreover, how is the diversity in the chemistry program? can international students easily blend in?

Edited March 20, 2011 by tomyum

[prolixity]

Proxiity do you go to harvard? Do students do joint research with two PIs? What kind of collaboration takes place between labs?

My main concern is that I went to a very small school which did not have a strong chemistry program. Many of the prospectives had already taken graduate level courses, therefore I think I will need helpful classmates. Is working together for assignments encouraged and practiced? or do students work very independently? Moreover, how is the diversity in the chemistry program? can international students easily blend in?

Students at Harvard sometimes conduct research with two PIs, though it is more common to see students working under one PI while collaborating with an allied group. Group meetings often have visitors from other groups, as there is a HUGE amount of cooperation.

You'll find that some students work independently and others do not. I prefer to work independently, but I still meet with my peers to discuss problem sets before they're due.

The chemistry program is very diverse, and some of my best friends are internationals. Our cohort often throws parties and outings to Boston, and these trips include everyone. You will blend in as well as you try to blend in, if you know what I mean.

I wouldn't worry too hard about the multicultural environment at Harvard..

[tomyum]

Students at Harvard sometimes conduct research with two PIs, though it is more common to see students working under one PI while collaborating with an allied group. Group meetings often have visitors from other groups, as there is a HUGE amount of cooperation.

You'll find that some students work independently and others do not. I prefer to work independently, but I still meet with my peers to discuss problem sets before they're due.

The chemistry program is very diverse, and some of my best friends are internationals. Our cohort often throws parties and outings to Boston, and these trips include everyone. You will blend in as well as you try to blend in, if you know what I mean.

I wouldn't worry too hard about the multicultural environment at Harvard..

Thanks proxility, you have been of great help! Which field of chemistry are you in? Do you know how the dynamics in the theory groups are? I think Alan is a pretty nice person and most of the people in his group are really nice. Do you know how the group dynamics in the Shaknovich group is? I didn't get the chance to meet graduate students from the Shaknovich group. Another problem is that these are only two people that I am interested in Harvard. Luckily they are taking students next year but I am not sure if I will be able to get in these groups. Do you know how hard it is to get in you first choice research group at Harvard? And do you recommend staying in the dorms or off campus? And I heard that even if you can collaborate with MIT, Harvard doesn't like to lose students to MIT PIs so it is not really encouraged, how true is that? and can you collaborate outside the CCB department? for example I am also interested in someone in the physics department.

One more thing: what kind of exams does harvard have? To my knowledge there are no prelims or qualifiers at Harvard? so on what basis are students evaluated?

[prolixity]

Thanks proxility, you have been of great help! Which field of chemistry are you in? Do you know how the dynamics in the theory groups are? I think Alan is a pretty nice person and most of the people in his group are really nice. Do you know how the group dynamics in the Shaknovich group is? I didn't get the chance to meet graduate students from the Shaknovich group. Another problem is that these are only two people that I am interested in Harvard. Luckily they are taking students next year but I am not sure if I will be able to get in these groups. Do you know how hard it is to get in you first choice research group at Harvard? And do you recommend staying in the dorms or off campus? And I heard that even if you can collaborate with MIT, Harvard doesn't like to lose students to MIT PIs so it is not really encouraged, how true is that? and can you collaborate outside the CCB department? for example I am also interested in someone in the physics department.

One more thing: what kind of exams does harvard have? To my knowledge there are no prelims or qualifiers at Harvard? so on what basis are students evaluated?

I'd prefer not to mention any specifics about where I work or speak publicly about any specific professors. That said, there are tons more people doing theory at Harvard, especially within the physics department (plane-wave surface DFT, etc.).

We have not received any discouragement about working outside the department. Many students work at The Broad Center, MGH, the med school, the physics department, the molecular biology dept., even at the school of public health. I know two students (not in my year) who are affiliated with Harvard but work at MIT. Don't worry about being limited to the chem dept. at all.

[prolixity]

. Do you know how hard it is to get in you first choice research group at Harvard? And do you recommend staying in the dorms or off campus?

One more thing: what kind of exams does harvard have? To my knowledge there are no prelims or qualifiers at Harvard? so on what basis are students evaluated?

Your other questions:

1) Depends on the group and the amount of interest by your peers. Rotations are great for this reason.

2) I recommend the dorms for your first year. You will make a ton of friends outside of your discipline.

3) Harvard has an oral research proposal after your second year. When you pass this, you advance to candidacy.

[tomyum]

Thanks a ton for all the info!

Your other questions:

1) Depends on the group and the amount of interest by your peers. Rotations are great for this reason.

2) I recommend the dorms for your first year. You will make a ton of friends outside of your discipline.

3) Harvard has an oral research proposal after your second year. When you pass this, you advance to candidacy.

[soheljarin]

You should email the PIs at each school to see how long they will fund you, in case you don't get a PhD within 5 years. Some PIs will fund students for more than 5 years. I know of a student who went to the same undergraduate and graduate school for 15 years (6 years for undergraduate and 9 years for graduate). He selected that particular school because he knew it was a safe option since he would still get his PhD even if he can't get them within 5 years.