It's impossible not to learn a lot at Harvard, with such a wide range of classes taught by professors who are often experts in their field. Obviously, Harvard is known for being a prestigious research university and so the academic education students get here is outstanding. But besides classroom learning, students at Harvard are able to learn an amazing amount from their peers. The student body is economically, socially, and racially diverse, and in addition to this, most students bring unusual interests and experiences to share. Because of this, student interactions inside and outside the classroom bring each individual into contact with ideas that they otherwise would never have encountered. Finally, Harvard's sheer volume of resources, such as the extensive library system, guarantee that no student will go without the ability to learn as much as they possibly can.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
The classes at Harvard are engaging and in-depth, and I felt that I was learning things that would definitely be of use in later life, even when these classes were not directly related to my career plans. In order to do well, it is necessary to put concentrated effort into academic work, and most students spend long hours completing papers and problem sets. That being said, the type of student who comes here is usually the type that enoys academic work. However, there are hundreds of things to do besides homework, ranging from the science fiction club to acapella groups. My personal interest is music, and I am definitely kept busy with playing in different ensembles. Also, being in Cambridge allows for going into Boston to see the Red Sox, the Boston Symphony, the Museum of Fine Arts, or simply hanging out (Harvard Square itself is also a good hang-out area). Everyone on campus is always doing something interesting, and is usually caught up in the excitement of doing it.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
This university is definitely worth the tuition, and I would defintiely make the decision to go here again. The current financial aid program is excellent and is much better than the aid offered by other private universities, including the other Ivy League schools.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Besides requiring the highest standards of academic achievement, admissions tends to look for students who are either very well-rounded (which means doing wide variety of activities and doing them well) or for students who are dedicated to a specific interest. Students who better fit the specific interest category should be doing this at a very high level. I have met people who, for example, were very competitive in national high school science fairs or athletics.
Once you get here, take full advantage of shopping week. This is the first week of classes in which you can go to any class before officially registering to see if you like the syllabus and professor. Shopping ensures that you will get classes and professors that work for you, and it also allows you to judge class sizes. Some popular classes, such as those in the economics department, are gigantic, but there are also lots of small classes in other departments, like the language classes.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Harvard works best for the self-motivated, over-achieving, confident types. These people tend to feel inspired by the environment, but students who do not enjoy academic work and challenges are sometimes intimidated by the coursework.
It's impossible not to learn a lot at Harvard, with such a wide range of classes taught by professors who are often experts in their field. Obviously, Harvard is known for being a prestigious research university and so the academic education students get here is outstanding. But besides classroom learning, students at Harvard are able to learn an amazing amount from their peers. The student body is economically, socially, and racially diverse, and in addition to this, most students bring unusual interests and experiences to share. Because of this, student interactions inside and outside the classroom bring each individual into contact with ideas that they otherwise would never have encountered. Finally, Harvard's sheer volume of resources, such as the extensive library system, guarantee that no student will go without the ability to learn as much as they possibly can.
The classes at Harvard are engaging and in-depth, and I felt that I was learning things that would definitely be of use in later life, even when these classes were not directly related to my career plans. In order to do well, it is necessary to put concentrated effort into academic work, and most students spend long hours completing papers and problem sets. That being said, the type of student who comes here is usually the type that enoys academic work. However, there are hundreds of things to do besides homework, ranging from the science fiction club to acapella groups. My personal interest is music, and I am definitely kept busy with playing in different ensembles. Also, being in Cambridge allows for going into Boston to see the Red Sox, the Boston Symphony, the Museum of Fine Arts, or simply hanging out (Harvard Square itself is also a good hang-out area). Everyone on campus is always doing something interesting, and is usually caught up in the excitement of doing it.
This university is definitely worth the tuition, and I would defintiely make the decision to go here again. The current financial aid program is excellent and is much better than the aid offered by other private universities, including the other Ivy League schools.
Besides requiring the highest standards of academic achievement, admissions tends to look for students who are either very well-rounded (which means doing wide variety of activities and doing them well) or for students who are dedicated to a specific interest. Students who better fit the specific interest category should be doing this at a very high level. I have met people who, for example, were very competitive in national high school science fairs or athletics. Once you get here, take full advantage of shopping week. This is the first week of classes in which you can go to any class before officially registering to see if you like the syllabus and professor. Shopping ensures that you will get classes and professors that work for you, and it also allows you to judge class sizes. Some popular classes, such as those in the economics department, are gigantic, but there are also lots of small classes in other departments, like the language classes.
Harvard works best for the self-motivated, over-achieving, confident types. These people tend to feel inspired by the environment, but students who do not enjoy academic work and challenges are sometimes intimidated by the coursework.