Harvard University is truly among the most exclusive schools to be found anywhere on the globe. Attending such a prestigious University is very humbling, because when an institution takes the most knowledge thirsty minds from around the world and puts them all in one place, not a day goes by that isn't a learning experience. The only thing that every student at this school has in common is that they applied, so don't hesitate.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Don't let anyone tell you that the hardest part is getting in. While the acceptance rate is pretty low (lower every year, naturally), that's only the first hurdle. Harvard wouldn't be the most prestigious university in the world if it didn't hold excellence at the highest of standards. Classes are difficult, and sometimes the workload can be isolating. All of that said, I guarantee that you will never learn as much in one year as you do your freshman year at Harvard. It is nothing less than transformational to spend every minute of every day surrounded by the people of our generation who will be making the difference in the coming decades. Don't take this for granted, and don't accept an offer until you are sure that you want to be challenged on a personal level.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Compared to high school, Harvard does a pretty good job of making collegiate academia pop.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
I was in a suite of six guys this last year, with a size comparable to an abnormally large shoebox. No internal cooling, but there is heat for the winter. Too much most of the time in fact. Upperclassmen housing is marginally nicer, hence the two stars instead of one, but expect these dorms to be old and cramped.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Most students complain loudly about the quality of food here, but they have obviously never been to public school. It's really fine, some days better than others, but it keeps you alive.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Lots of stuff around Harvard Square, restaurants and such. Harvard has a trillion events going on at any one time, a ton of student organizations, all fired up and passionate about their own niche topics. Boston is just a few T stops away, but most of the time students stay on campus just because of the volume of activities to do there.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
The best kept secret about Harvard: their financial aid is amazing. Honestly if it weren't for the aid, I'd be taking out $35-40000 a year in student loans, but I'm saved by their amazing alumni and their donations. I sound kind of like a sellout, but they're the reason I get to go to this amazing school, so yeah I kind of am. The classes are amazing (even if they're tough, and sometimes a little unorganized), the people you meet and the experience you have every day is something that has no price tag on it. No, not even a $70,000 debt every year would have stopped me now that I know what it's like.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The three traditions. Can't sell out, sorry.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Students who want to learn about the world around them, who want to be challenged about what they think, and how they think, and what they believe, and why they believe it. Don't come here if you can't support the lifestyle that you live and the things you believe. Especially if you're more on the conservative side of the spectrum, because this college is (shocker I know) overwhelmingly liberal.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I got involved with the Institute of Politics, and more importantly with collegiate a cappella. This school has something for everyone, and if it doesn't have what you want, then start a club. Funding and prospective members will trickle in accordingly. But gonna plug for a cappella again, really far and away the best thing I did my freshman year.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Disclaimer: The current president (Drew Faust, stepping down in 2018) and Dean of Harvard College Rakesh Khurana are trying to shut down anything that even resembles greek life or single gender organizations. Starting with the Class of 2021, if you join an "Unrecognized Single Gender Organization," you will be barred from being President of any recognized organization on campus, and the faculty aren't allowed to write letters of recommendation or support students looking toward opportunities such as Marshal or Rhodes scholars.
If you want to be supported by the administration with your activities, don't come here for Greek Life. There is rampant gender discrimination by the administration pertaining to this issue as well, with different standards for all-male and all-female organizations. The administration moving forward is handling this matter excessively poorly, so I would recommend looking somewhere else if this is on your must-do list.
That said, all of my interactions with Greek organizations have been excellent. The people are really all top notch and a lot of fun. Final Clubs are a little more sketchy/edgy, but they're also an option I suppose.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Harvard University Police Department takes good care of the campus, Harvard University Health Services keeps the students healthy, and I can't think of a single time that I have felt unsafe on campus.
Harvard University is truly among the most exclusive schools to be found anywhere on the globe. Attending such a prestigious University is very humbling, because when an institution takes the most knowledge thirsty minds from around the world and puts them all in one place, not a day goes by that isn't a learning experience. The only thing that every student at this school has in common is that they applied, so don't hesitate.
Don't let anyone tell you that the hardest part is getting in. While the acceptance rate is pretty low (lower every year, naturally), that's only the first hurdle. Harvard wouldn't be the most prestigious university in the world if it didn't hold excellence at the highest of standards. Classes are difficult, and sometimes the workload can be isolating. All of that said, I guarantee that you will never learn as much in one year as you do your freshman year at Harvard. It is nothing less than transformational to spend every minute of every day surrounded by the people of our generation who will be making the difference in the coming decades. Don't take this for granted, and don't accept an offer until you are sure that you want to be challenged on a personal level.
Compared to high school, Harvard does a pretty good job of making collegiate academia pop.
I was in a suite of six guys this last year, with a size comparable to an abnormally large shoebox. No internal cooling, but there is heat for the winter. Too much most of the time in fact. Upperclassmen housing is marginally nicer, hence the two stars instead of one, but expect these dorms to be old and cramped.
Most students complain loudly about the quality of food here, but they have obviously never been to public school. It's really fine, some days better than others, but it keeps you alive.
Lots of stuff around Harvard Square, restaurants and such. Harvard has a trillion events going on at any one time, a ton of student organizations, all fired up and passionate about their own niche topics. Boston is just a few T stops away, but most of the time students stay on campus just because of the volume of activities to do there.
The best kept secret about Harvard: their financial aid is amazing. Honestly if it weren't for the aid, I'd be taking out $35-40000 a year in student loans, but I'm saved by their amazing alumni and their donations. I sound kind of like a sellout, but they're the reason I get to go to this amazing school, so yeah I kind of am. The classes are amazing (even if they're tough, and sometimes a little unorganized), the people you meet and the experience you have every day is something that has no price tag on it. No, not even a $70,000 debt every year would have stopped me now that I know what it's like.
The three traditions. Can't sell out, sorry.
Students who want to learn about the world around them, who want to be challenged about what they think, and how they think, and what they believe, and why they believe it. Don't come here if you can't support the lifestyle that you live and the things you believe. Especially if you're more on the conservative side of the spectrum, because this college is (shocker I know) overwhelmingly liberal.
I got involved with the Institute of Politics, and more importantly with collegiate a cappella. This school has something for everyone, and if it doesn't have what you want, then start a club. Funding and prospective members will trickle in accordingly. But gonna plug for a cappella again, really far and away the best thing I did my freshman year.
Disclaimer: The current president (Drew Faust, stepping down in 2018) and Dean of Harvard College Rakesh Khurana are trying to shut down anything that even resembles greek life or single gender organizations. Starting with the Class of 2021, if you join an "Unrecognized Single Gender Organization," you will be barred from being President of any recognized organization on campus, and the faculty aren't allowed to write letters of recommendation or support students looking toward opportunities such as Marshal or Rhodes scholars. If you want to be supported by the administration with your activities, don't come here for Greek Life. There is rampant gender discrimination by the administration pertaining to this issue as well, with different standards for all-male and all-female organizations. The administration moving forward is handling this matter excessively poorly, so I would recommend looking somewhere else if this is on your must-do list. That said, all of my interactions with Greek organizations have been excellent. The people are really all top notch and a lot of fun. Final Clubs are a little more sketchy/edgy, but they're also an option I suppose.
Harvard University Police Department takes good care of the campus, Harvard University Health Services keeps the students healthy, and I can't think of a single time that I have felt unsafe on campus.