Harvard @ sticker for PI -- is this crazy?! Forum

[twenty]

as many people who get into HYS get big money other places.

And that really is the key; you're definitely in the minority of people that get into HYS if you don't have a full ride somewhere else. So at that point, HYS for some low-prestige PI gig is certainly justifiable.

[emu42]

Is going to Harvard at sticker and paying the entire cost of attendance through loans absolutely crazy for someone who wants to pursue PI? Like is this basically a non-option?

As someone accepted to Harvard, I have scholarships at some T-14s. But I just cannot see myself being happy at the schools where I've been offered the most money (Duke, Cornell). Then there are schools where I think I could be happy where I've been offered just a little money (NYU, UChi), but not enough money to compete with the basic fact that I really, really, desperately want to attend Harvard. Visiting Harvard felt like coming home, even though I have no ties to the area and had never been before. I just love it there already and now it's hard to imagine going anywhere else.

I want to do PI/nonprofit work -- starting salary of $45k is a reasonable expectation for my goals. I know about LIPP, but is that really enough to make this a reasonable life choice? I feel fairly confident I could get the kind of job I want out of a lower-ranked school, which makes this seem very irrational. But who wants to be unhappy for three years?

Basically my question is, is it certifiably insane to go to Harvard without family support, major savings, or financial aid for a PI goal that's probably attainable from a less expensive school? Do people even do that? Stats say roughly 45 people go PI out of Harvard in every graduating class and presumably they aren't homeless, but I wonder how many have other sources of support?

Essentially, is my happiness worth $250,000?!

do what makes you happy