Harvard announces sweeping middle-income initiative — The Harvard University Gazette

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

However, even if tuition is free, the cost of living added to books and other "miscellaneous" costs still keep even "middle income" kids from attending. Tuition is nearly $33K; that, coupled with other things, is nearly $50K a year. What exactly is "middle income"? What, exactly, is included in the price of tuition? Even so, while I may seem whiny, if I had the $, I would definitely write the check to pay for my kids to go there if they wanted to and were accepted.
Wow, you're a HARVARD grad?!

I agree totally with you Bluecharm I would rather sign the check to where my child truly either got accepted or went to the college they wanted too. I would dearly be so proud to have my child attend a college of their choice.To me whether it be early education or high school or college it all depends on the student and what effort they put into their education is more important then the name .I have these with my dh's family to them its all about the name and putting pressure on their kids. I personally think no matter the name you will receive the same education anywhere.Peace. Catherine

I completely disagree. You don't get the same education anywhere...and you also don't get the same opportunities when you get out.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

I disagree with this statement totally. Not all colleges are equal in education.

I personally feel you will receive the same education anywhere, just because you hear harvard or oxford or pace or nyu, it all depends on what the student puts into his or her effort.However this is my personal views and if anyone else believes otherwise thats wonderful, like I have always said life is all about choices.One of my dd's friend her parents are pushing her so hard to obtain the best grades to get into the best college as a result this child 16 years old is taken advance placement courses and is studying so hard even here on Christmas break. I would much rather my child who is in high honers and will go to the college of her choice and receive a excellent college education.Peace..Catherine

You don't receive the same education just anywhere. Higher end colleges expect a lot more from their students and the way they teach is different as well. Just like the previous posters said your opportunities will be different when you come out as well.

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SAHM of Bailey 12, Tyler 10 , Emily Ann 6, and Ryan Matthew 4 yrs old.

Ditto what everyone else is saying - not all colleges and universities are created equal nor will they provide the same job opportunities upon graduation. This opinion flies in the face of real data and statistics. That's like saying it's your opinion that 2+2=5, so it must be right. Nonsense.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

College is more than the books and taking time to learn the material. At a selective school, the student is surrounded by more critical thinkers and most likely, better educators. The discussions and labs are much richer. And, as mentioned, the opportunities out of the gate are better. Additionally, the networks made during college often improves one's abilities to make those important contacts that will give you a leg up over those without the networks.

Believe me -- all things being equal -- the employer is going to offer the job to the Harvard grad and the medical schools and law schools will find those graduates more attractive as well.

I think it is great that schools like Stanford and Harvard are doing this. Of course it doesn't cover everything, but it certainly helps those who are on the egde.

College is more than the books and taking time to learn the material. At a selective school, the student is surrounded by more critical thinkers and most likely, better educators. The discussions and labs are much richer. And, as mentioned, the opportunities out of the gate are better. Additionally, the networking we do during college often improves one's abilities to make those important contacts that will give you a leg up over those without the networks.

Believe me -- all things being equal -- the employer is going to offer the job to the Harvard grad and the medical schools and law schools will find those graduates more attractive as well.

I think it is great that schools like Stanford and Harvard are doing this. Of course it doesn't cover everything, but it certainly helps those who are on the edge.

But, the difference between one school and the next is not necessarily much. I had a friend in law school with a boy friend who went to Harvard. He was visiting and sat in on one of our classes and said our work requirements were much more demanding than his at Harvard. But, when he graduated he started out at twice what his girl friend at my school made ............. that's the way our world generally works.

I agree - you don't receive the same education regardless of what college you attend. Certainly, Ivy League grads have more opportunities than other college graduates.

However; I KNOW that you can improve your learning experience regardless of what school you attend. I also know that you can greatly expand your job opportunities after college if you work hard and continue learning. With everything else, it's what you make of it....

signed, a state college grad superviser of a U Penn graduate.....

Yeah, who would you rather have performing surgery on you? A graduate of Johns Hopkins or a graduate of Univ. of Cabo San Lucas Med School???

Universities and Colleges have reputations amongst students, scholars, employers, etc.
Take for example sports: How many professional football players attended and/or graduated from an Ivy League college? How many professional football players attended and/or graduated from LSU? or Ole Miss? or University of Alabama?

It's all about perception and preconceived notions/ideas....and name recognition. I would hazard a guess that very few sports agents show up at Harvard's sporting events. However, I'm betting that at any given LSU football game there is at least one agent.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"