Staying at Harvard or at Home?

Question

I need some advice, i have thought long and hard but still need a second opinion.

My son just got a scholarship to Harvard in the fall of 2007. He is only 16, still a child. Should I let live at Harvard or still at home?

He is getting the experience at such a young age to go to college, but should I be worried of what goes on at colleges at that level.

Thanks!

we live pretty close to harvard so really it's not that big of deal. but i think he's young..hmm. My parents went to that school they also donated a lot of money.

He's extremly good at math and sciences, but still not sure on what to do with that. I've asked him, he says he likes the law or design but still thinking about it. any ideas what he could do with alot of math and sciences .thanks

Answer 1

You'll always think of him as a child. At 16, he can drive. If he's smart enough to get into Harvard at 16, he's got a head on those shoulders. The college experience can never be replaced, particularly dorming and living with other students. Most of his classmates will only be a couple years older. It's not like you're talking about a 12 year old here. I'd let him go.

Answer 2

I think you should let HIM make that decision. Sending your child away to college is scary and I'm sure it's even scarier since he's still only 16. However, it's his life. If you make the decision for him he might end up resenting you for the rest of his life. What does he want? If he wants to live on campus I would recommend that you allow him to do so on a trial basis. Let him try it for a semester and if it doesn't work out or his grades slip or something then he can move back home. You and your son are entering a new period in both of you're lives. From this point on everything will be different. You will always be his mother but you need to start allowing him to take charge of his own life.

To summarize: let him decide. Have a long talk with him and voice your concerns about both scenarios and figure out what he thinks about the whole thing. Good luck! You should be very proud. Clearly you've done a great job raising him so far; trust his judgment!

Answer 3

I'm a high school student right now, and if I was offered a scholarship to Harvard, I'd choose to go right away, but that's my opinion.

If you want your son to stay at home because you're worried about his well-being, ask him to take his G.E. at home for a year or two (depending if he followed the I.B. program or not) before he goes to Harvard. Also, check with Harvard to make sure the scholarship can be extended to a later date,so that the scholarship is his valid if he chooses to.

Also, there is the issue of college credit, because some schools will refuse college credit from another state.

If you live next to Harvard, and neither you or your son can agree on living on campus or living at home, come up with a compromise. For instance, have him live on campus during the week, and come home during the weekends, and have him call you every few days (if you decide to).

Well, I hope that helped, and good luck.

Answer 4

Wow, that's great news. You must be very proud. Just out of curiosity, will any other college give him a "full ride?" I ask just because despite Harvard's reputation (you probably already know this) some people think the education suffers because so many of the classes are taught by TAs and Graduate Students.

Anyway, that aside, I'd need more info ... e.g. where do you live? If he can easily "commute" to Harvard, I'd probably opt to have him live home to begin with. You're right, 16 is very young to be on your own with most others significantly (well, for that age, anyway) older than he. This way you can best monitor how he's handling things, segue into a more independent living arrangement.

On the other hand, if you aren't close to Harvard, unless you're willing to move, I don't know what choice you have.

Answer 5

Since he was smart enough to get into such a good IVY League school, I believe he is mature enough to stand his own two feets....Please let him go and get the knowledege from fellow students.

Good luck