Whether to go to an Ivy or not depends on what you're looking for.
I went to Iowa State for undergrad and then did a masters at Princeton immediately afterwards. I greatly appreciate both schools.
At Iowa State, most of my classes were easy. But I pushed myself with the sheer quantity of classes I took. I was super involved in extracurriculars and still went out multiple nights per week. I was one class short of a double major and I spent a semester abroad. My only regret is not spending 2 semesters abroad. It was an incredible time.
Princeton also did not disappoint. The Graduate School is for sure the most intellectually rich environment I've ever been in. Academically, it was far more demanding, and pushed me to a much deeper level of engagement with my studies. I also know that Princeton would have been a way too intense environment for me at 18. At 22, it was what I was looking for.
I also went to NYU for another masters program, which was in many ways even more different from the first two universities. Some people just go there to be at university in NYC, but it's a sprawling school with tons to offer and feels physically and socially much more integrated with the real world than campus-centric universities.
I don't think there's a one size fits all answer for whether to go to Harvard or any other school.
This seems to be a pretty pragmatic approach - it avoids spending a lot of high tuition dollars and effort on the freshman/sophomore generic weeder courses and focuses the high return on effort/investment upper level courses that are specific to your area of study.
I wish I could say it was my plan all along, but it just kind of happened.
But yes, from a credential standpoint, a masters program can upgrade your prestige, for sure. Although it would be important to note that there are social aspects of the Ivy League in undergrad experience that aren't the same in grad school (and vice versa), if that's what someone is looking for.
I went to Iowa State for undergrad and then did a masters at Princeton immediately afterwards. I greatly appreciate both schools.
At Iowa State, most of my classes were easy. But I pushed myself with the sheer quantity of classes I took. I was super involved in extracurriculars and still went out multiple nights per week. I was one class short of a double major and I spent a semester abroad. My only regret is not spending 2 semesters abroad. It was an incredible time.
Princeton also did not disappoint. The Graduate School is for sure the most intellectually rich environment I've ever been in. Academically, it was far more demanding, and pushed me to a much deeper level of engagement with my studies. I also know that Princeton would have been a way too intense environment for me at 18. At 22, it was what I was looking for.
I also went to NYU for another masters program, which was in many ways even more different from the first two universities. Some people just go there to be at university in NYC, but it's a sprawling school with tons to offer and feels physically and socially much more integrated with the real world than campus-centric universities.
I don't think there's a one size fits all answer for whether to go to Harvard or any other school.