2007-12-29 03:45:13 · 5 answers · asked by mellisa 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Over a long period of time, Harvard has developed a huge endowment which allows them to do whatever they want to do, either academically, or otherwise, and they have used that endowment wisely to hire the best faculty, develop state-of-the-art facilities where needed, fund research, or the search for outside research funds, and admit the best students. Those students have then been grateful to Harvard, and upon being successful, they have given the university more money.
Now they have announced that they will no longer offer loans as part of the financial aid packages for middle-class students, but will give them grants instead. Think about it. First of all, this allows them to get any of the really good students they may have previously missed because they decided not to go into debt. Yes, it will cost them money up front, but they can well afford it (and will use this as a way of getting even more money from their donors). On top of that, once these students graduate, they will not be in debt, can start accumulating money of their own, and will be so grateful that they will give back even more money to Harvard than did their predecessors! It is a great strategy for those schools who already have huge endowments; not so good for the vast majority of schools!
2007-12-29 03:55:54 · answer #1 · answered by neniaf 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Michigan, are you serious? Definitely one of the best public schools, but not exactly in Harvard's league. Harvard is the best for some things, but I think John Hopkins is considered best at medicine. UNC's School of Information and Library Science (of which I attend) is rated #1 by News and World Report (and I'm sure Michigan has their top rated programs too). So, it just depends on what you're doing. As an undergrad, picking based on overall ratings and personal visits is probably best but at the graduate level basing things on overall rankings is silly. Pick based on the program you are going into. In fact, picking on sub-specialties of the program is particularly important for PhD students.
But, as to the real question, Harvard has a long history and like most things in America, money makes the world go 'round...
2007-12-29 03:57:22 · answer #2 · answered by dawhitfield 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they really do have top-notch faculty, facilities, and so on. There are a lot of other excellent colleges, of course , but they're usually considered "the best" for their centuries-old reputation.
2007-12-29 03:53:52 · answer #3 · answered by ktrb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is that a serious question. Its up there with UPENN, YALE, chicago,michigan.........ex
2007-12-29 03:49:09 · answer #4 · answered by John 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because of its name.
2007-12-29 03:48:51 · answer #5 · answered by Kyle 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋