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I'm confused, so Harvard is more reputable than Oxford?
This is probably going to read as typically American, but most of the population in my country is under the impression that Oxford is the reigning institution of higher learning. Apparently, from discussing this topic with my friend from Imperial College and reading some of the posts in here, most of the population in the US is wrong. In fact, so wrong that we couldn't even get the college that is considered number 1 in the UK right; Cambridge. Actually most of the population has probably not even heard of Cambridge but will gasp in amazement at the mention of Oxford.
But then again, as I attend Harvard and have visited Oxbridge, I can safely concede that I have no idea why we're considered number one either. I mean, yes we have brilliant professors and strong academics but it is our huge endowment that keeps us strong as we pump millions of dollars into the Harvard brand name. That and we have a really kick ass Business school.
Secretly, I think that Princeton is really the best school in America with Stanford a close second.
Other than that I was really impressed with the British system and with the universities your country has; Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL, Kings.
But then again, as I attend Harvard and have visited Oxbridge, I can safely concede that I have no idea why we're considered number one either. I mean, yes we have brilliant professors and strong academics but it is our huge endowment that keeps us strong as we pump millions of dollars into the Harvard brand name. That and we have a really kick ass Business school.
Secretly, I think that Princeton is really the best school in America with Stanford a close second.
Other than that I was really impressed with the British system and with the universities your country has; Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL, Kings.
Scroll to see replies
Reply 1
Yes, for some reason Oxford has a better name then Cambridge in many countries, I don't know why, perhaps because they have a good dictionary which everyone uses? But for academic purposes they are essentially both at the same level.
As stated, Harvard has a good brand image, not necessarily the best education. The other ivy league unis are probably better, in fact for most American unis, they woudln't stand close to British ones if it weren't for the millions which are put into the unis, and the constant propaganda they recieve. Like for Wharton, DTrump keeps harping on about it.
The Ivy league are brilliant no doubt, but the thoroughness in British education is apparent since early times, such as GCSE's and then A levels. A levels are WAY above the AP system, and actually, most AP's are probably a joke, no offence intended, but they aren't a strong preparation to university.
Obviously, perhaps I am biased towards Britain
As stated, Harvard has a good brand image, not necessarily the best education. The other ivy league unis are probably better, in fact for most American unis, they woudln't stand close to British ones if it weren't for the millions which are put into the unis, and the constant propaganda they recieve. Like for Wharton, DTrump keeps harping on about it.
The Ivy league are brilliant no doubt, but the thoroughness in British education is apparent since early times, such as GCSE's and then A levels. A levels are WAY above the AP system, and actually, most AP's are probably a joke, no offence intended, but they aren't a strong preparation to university.
Obviously, perhaps I am biased towards Britain
Reply 2
Oxford is famous for spewing out world renown politicians, leaders, and writers. Also the fact that it is the first ever University in the english speaking world (over 800yrs old) may have helped as well.
Similarly, Harvard is famous for spewing out world renown businessmen...so basically the multi millionairs who control a large chunk of the world economy and the leaders who happen to come from Oxford make these two institutions extremely well known.
Ofcourse the fact that Harvard has about more funds than all the top10 British Universities put together also helped it stay on top.
Similarly, Harvard is famous for spewing out world renown businessmen...so basically the multi millionairs who control a large chunk of the world economy and the leaders who happen to come from Oxford make these two institutions extremely well known.
Ofcourse the fact that Harvard has about more funds than all the top10 British Universities put together also helped it stay on top.
Reply 3
6
Understandable, my friends. I am humble enough to admit that we have an overly bloated reputation that seems to trump over more deserving universities like Imperial or Oxbridge. And to be even more honest, the flagship public state schools like Berkeley, Virginia, Texas and Michigan have way better reputable programs then anything in the ivy league. I regret not taking a free ride into one of these schools.
But I still love my school and will not totally bash it. It's mainly the undergraduate education that is lacking.
But I still love my school and will not totally bash it. It's mainly the undergraduate education that is lacking.
Reply 4
Yeah, at undergrad it is not as good as it should be, but at postgrad it is better than UK, especially for business education and perhaps even law. If I did an MBA I would definitly do it in the states because they are more reputable and look better on CV's then MBA's from Britain. A Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton or Columbia MBA is a killer on the CV
You shouldn't be complaining, you are at the supposed world's best university 
Which coincidentally advertises on the Economist website
You shouldn't be complaining, you are at the supposed world's best university
Which coincidentally advertises on the Economist website
Reply 5
I'd say....UK unis tend to draw more academics (scientists, philosophers, historians)...while US universities draw people who will probably make big bucks.
Important to note, Extra Curriculars are much more important to US unis, while academic achievements are more important in the UK...being well rounded and good team worker makes a good business leader, just something i picked up.
Important to note, Extra Curriculars are much more important to US unis, while academic achievements are more important in the UK...being well rounded and good team worker makes a good business leader, just something i picked up.
Reply 6
Shrayans
Yes, for some reason Oxford has a better name then Cambridge in many countries, I don't know why, perhaps because they have a good dictionary which everyone uses? But for academic purposes they are essentially both at the same level.
As stated, Harvard has a good brand image, not necessarily the best education. The other ivy league unis are probably better, in fact for most American unis, they woudln't stand close to British ones if it weren't for the millions which are put into the unis, and the constant propaganda they recieve. Like for Wharton, DTrump keeps harping on about it.
The Ivy league are brilliant no doubt, but the thoroughness in British education is apparent since early times, such as GCSE's and then A levels. A levels are WAY above the AP system, and actually, most AP's are probably a joke, no offence intended, but they aren't a strong preparation to university.
Obviously, perhaps I am biased towards Britain
As stated, Harvard has a good brand image, not necessarily the best education. The other ivy league unis are probably better, in fact for most American unis, they woudln't stand close to British ones if it weren't for the millions which are put into the unis, and the constant propaganda they recieve. Like for Wharton, DTrump keeps harping on about it.
The Ivy league are brilliant no doubt, but the thoroughness in British education is apparent since early times, such as GCSE's and then A levels. A levels are WAY above the AP system, and actually, most AP's are probably a joke, no offence intended, but they aren't a strong preparation to university.
Obviously, perhaps I am biased towards Britain
I resent you calling AP exams a joke, even though I dislike how they work.
Reply 7
Endowment (Harvard): U.S. $34.9 Billion (17.5 billion £)
Endowment (Oxford): £3.6 billion (inc. colleges)
Endowment (Oxford): £3.6 billion (inc. colleges)
Reply 8
Isn't that what Americans are good at? Businesses? Most MNCs in the world seem to originate from the US, it is only logical that they cater their educational expertise in that direction.
Only, making lots of money will not really benefit the world...so OP and anyone else who may be a mulitmillionaire running the world economy in the future, can you please please please undo what our ancestors have done, stop exploiting LEDCs and make the world a better place? I have hopes for our generation yet
Only, making lots of money will not really benefit the world...so OP and anyone else who may be a mulitmillionaire running the world economy in the future, can you please please please undo what our ancestors have done, stop exploiting LEDCs and make the world a better place? I have hopes for our generation yet
Reply 9
LoveOfHumanity
I resent you calling AP exams a joke, even though I dislike how they work.
Maybe I was a bit harsh, but you have to agree that they aren't the most academically challenging and not in the same league as A levels? Surely they aren't enough preparation for university?
Reply 10
Shrayans
... but you have to agree that they aren't the most academically challenging ...
And A Levels are?
Reply 11
Rémy Marathe
And A Levels are?
For many people yes... and even comparatively to the AP's.
What A levels are you doing that you find so easy?? I am finding mine quite difficult....
Reply 12
17
YankeeUK2008
Other than that I was really impressed with the British system and with the universities your country has; Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL, Kings.
Other than that I was really impressed with the British system and with the universities your country has; Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL, Kings.
*cough* Durham *cough*
I'm suprised that most Americans aren't aware of Cambridge. Most league tables rank Oxford 1st, Cambridge 2nd. But there isn't much in it. Departmental rankings vary widely.
Most world league tables I've seen have both Harvard and MIT above Oxford and Cambridge.
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/Magazines/THES/graphics/WorldRankings2005.pdf
I know this is from 2005. I can't be bothered finding 2007.
Reply 13
*cough* Bristol *cough*
As i mentioned earlier, Harvard = Business world, Oxford = Political world, and probably Cambridge = Academic world.
Academias work in the background, researching about how to make the world a better place while businessmen and politicians make themselves world renown, and steal the scene.
As i mentioned earlier, Harvard = Business world, Oxford = Political world, and probably Cambridge = Academic world.
Academias work in the background, researching about how to make the world a better place while businessmen and politicians make themselves world renown, and steal the scene.
Reply 14
talespirit
*cough* Bristol *cough*
As i mentioned earlier, Harvard = Business world, Oxford = Political world, and probably Cambridge = Academic world.
Academias work in the background, researching about how to make the world a better place while businessmen and politicians make themselves world renown, and steal the scene.
As i mentioned earlier, Harvard = Business world, Oxford = Political world, and probably Cambridge = Academic world.
Academias work in the background, researching about how to make the world a better place while businessmen and politicians make themselves world renown, and steal the scene.
Which is why business requires skill
But I have to agree with your uni classification, even though it is subjective i do think we see it quite often enough to conclude that.
Reply 15
YankeeUK2008
Secretly, I think that Princeton is really the best school in America with Stanford a close second.
But I still love my school and will not totally bash it. It's mainly the undergraduate education that is lacking.
But I still love my school and will not totally bash it. It's mainly the undergraduate education that is lacking.
Personally I think you cant beat Oxbridge for undergraduate education, especially for the arts and hummanities. None of the US institutions have anything like the tutorial system's (itself far from perfect) individualised level of contact with professors (each usually 2-3 students with the academic for an hour each week). Harvard undergraduate teaching is associated with massive class sizes, grade inflation, and lots of TAs. I think Princeton is the best undergraduate institution among the Ivys. A lot of people I meet seem to favour liberal arts colleges over Ivys, but I dont think they can seriously challenge Oxbridge.
When it comes to postgraduate and most science and technology money really tells though, and Ivys have so much more of it than the best of British. Havard is rightly famed for its amazing graduate schools. Still in some arts and hummanities money above a certain level gives diminishing returns, and British institutions do very well when you consider how much less they have to spend.
Why is Oxford famous? The OED helps of course, especially in mainland China where few people have heard of Cambridge. But mainly because its the first university in the English speaking world. And Harvard is the first university in English speaking North America.
Reply 16
Shrayans
Maybe I was a bit harsh, but you have to agree that they aren't the most academically challenging and not in the same league as A levels? Surely they aren't enough preparation for university?
I think you miss the point of the AP program. Only about 20 kids in my graduating class (out of 350) took a semi-full to full AP schedule. The AP program is completely elective, and taken by a small minority of US students.
Most of my friends took one or two AP tests, and still got into Ivy League/other top institutions. To say that they are not enough preparation for university, when many American students do not even take them (simply Honors classes), is a pretty illogical conclusion.
Not defending their difficulty, I found the exams fairly simple (save the occasion higher math/science courses.. bane of my existence). But, they do not have nearly the same function as A-Levels. It's Apples to Oranges really. The only qualification Americans technically need to go into higher education is a high school diploma, and many will succeed at good universities with just that official qualification.
Why am I defending the CollegeBoard at 4am?
Reply 17
YankeeUK2008
This is probably going to read as typically American, but most of the population in my country is under the impression that Oxford is the reigning institution of higher learning. Apparently, from discussing this topic with my friend from Imperial College and reading some of the posts in here, most of the population in the US is wrong. In fact, so wrong that we couldn't even get the college that is considered number 1 in the UK right; Cambridge. Actually most of the population has probably not even heard of Cambridge but will gasp in amazement at the mention of Oxford.
But then again, as I attend Harvard and have visited Oxbridge, I can safely concede that I have no idea why we're considered number one either. I mean, yes we have brilliant professors and strong academics but it is our huge endowment that keeps us strong as we pump millions of dollars into the Harvard brand name. That and we have a really kick ass Business school.
Secretly, I think that Princeton is really the best school in America with Stanford a close second.
Other than that I was really impressed with the British system and with the universities your country has; Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL, Kings.
But then again, as I attend Harvard and have visited Oxbridge, I can safely concede that I have no idea why we're considered number one either. I mean, yes we have brilliant professors and strong academics but it is our huge endowment that keeps us strong as we pump millions of dollars into the Harvard brand name. That and we have a really kick ass Business school.
Secretly, I think that Princeton is really the best school in America with Stanford a close second.
Other than that I was really impressed with the British system and with the universities your country has; Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL, Kings.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the river; where I grew up someone going to Oxford would have been shouted from the roof tops while those Harvard bound would have gotten a hearty congratulations, but not much more. Over in the UK, the opposite is the case.
I was doing my whole rant about US vs. UK universities, but then pendragon came along and relayed all the pertinent details (:shakes fist:
), so I'll just offer the American perspective for the amusement of 
*cough* Durham *cough*
Nobody in the US will have heard of Durham. They may think you are talking about North Carolina though, and begin talking basketball with you. Be warned.
*cough* Bristol *cough*
Some places in Connecticut are really sketchy.
And same with UCL.
'So I heard you're going to the UK?'
'Yes, going to study history.'
'Oxford?'
'No, UCL.'
'UCL? Don't you mean UCLA?'
'No, I don't. UCLA isn't even in the UK is it?'
'No, I guess not. I had a friend who wanted to visit the UK, but he ended up going to Scotland instead. '
'Yes, going to study history.'
'Oxford?'
'No, UCL.'
'UCL? Don't you mean UCLA?'
'No, I don't. UCLA isn't even in the UK is it?'
'No, I guess not. I had a friend who wanted to visit the UK, but he ended up going to Scotland instead. '
Although, St Andrews will easily be the most mentioned university here outside Oxford and Cambridge. Then again, a third of everyone who goes to St Andrews is American already...
As i mentioned earlier, Harvard = Business world, Oxford = Political world, and probably Cambridge = Academic world.
Academias work in the background, researching about how to make the world a better place while businessmen and politicians make themselves world renown, and steal the scene.
Academias work in the background, researching about how to make the world a better place while businessmen and politicians make themselves world renown, and steal the scene.
Very good point
.Reply 18
Kane_Is_Able
Most of my friends took one or two AP tests, and still got into Ivy League/other top institutions. To say that they are not enough preparation for university, when many American students do not even take them (simply Honors classes), is a pretty illogical conclusion.
Most of my friends took one or two AP tests, and still got into Ivy League/other top institutions. To say that they are not enough preparation for university, when many American students do not even take them (simply Honors classes), is a pretty illogical conclusion.
Did you go to a private school by any chance? The people I went to high school with who ended up at Harvard, Yale, Stanford and the likes took 3, 4, or even 5 APs.
Reply 19
17
Caspar David Friedrich
Nobody in the US will have heard of Durham. They may think you are talking about North Carolina though, and begin talking basketball with you. Be warned.
Nobody in the US will have heard of Durham. They may think you are talking about North Carolina though, and begin talking basketball with you. Be warned.
I know. Although I hope there'll be at least an enlightened few who are aware of its Cathedral and historical signifance. Even if it is 0.008% of the population.
Durham was known well enough in Theological circles for one of my lecturers to go there. He's from Florida, went to Harvard, Princeton, Oxford and Durham.
Durham looks really out of place there! lol
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