He felt that Harvard was the leading university and so he wanted to go there, but on the other hand their offer to him was less generous than that of Princeton. Nash felt that Princeton were keen that he went there while he felt that his lack of success in the Putnam Mathematics Competition meant that Harvard were less enthusiastic.
Siya nadama na Harvard ay ang nangungunang unibersidad at kaya siya pinaghahanap na pumunta doon, ngunit sa ibang mga kamay ang kanilang mga nag-aalok sa kanya ay mas mababa kaysa sa bukas-palad na ng Princeton. Nash nadama na Princeton ay nasasabik na siya nagpunta doon habang siya nadama na ang kanyang kakulangan ng tagumpay sa Putnam Mathematics Competition sinadya na Harvard ay hindi gaanong masigla.