The areas where Harvard may not be a good idea is for jobs that are low in income. Harvard is very expensive. Yes, they’re improving in making it more affordable for low income students, but it’s still VERY expensive.

If you want to be a school teacher or some other noble, but low paying job, you probably shouldn’t go to Harvard unless your family is wealthy already. It just doesn’t make financial sense. You really don’t need the prestige that a Harvard diploma provides.

For a doctor or vet, Harvard is fantastic. Yes, it’s very expensive. However, vet/med school is very competitive to get into. The prestige of Harvard definitely helps. Plus, once you’re a vet or doc, you’ll be making very good money and can afford to pay back all the loans you had to get to go to Harvard (unless, again, your family is rich).

The most critical thing about Harvard being good for a vet/doc is that there is relative grade inflation. Certain top schools are known for grade inflation or other policies that make it much easier for the students to maintain a high GPA than at other schools. Harvard and some of the Ivies (along with other top schools like Stanford) are known for this. This is great if you go there because not only do you get the great prestige of the Harvard name, but you also will likely have a higher GPA than if you went to some other school.

The best comparison I use is Stanford vs. Berkeley or a Harvard vs. a Michigan. Those two private schools are known to be easier to get good grades. The public schools are known to be very hard. They’re all prestigious. Yes, the publics will be cheaper, but if you plan on going to a competitive field, the higher cost of the privates might be worth it if your GPA will be higher and thus making you a more desirable cadidate.

the education link on avma.org has a list of vet schools.

the american medical association probally has a list of med schools.