Harvard University Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of this school?

Brooks

Harvard is a place where you can enjoy being yourself. Quite different from Lima Peru where I came from. The university as an nstitution force you involuntarily to learn and grow as a person in many ways. One of the allure of this university is where is located and the events that happened here. I am in my early thirties and I decided not to live on campus, instead I rented a small house in Marlboro a town about thirty minutes away from Cambridge. I am happy to have chosen this university after a long time to put it out and I have a feeling that my future is going to be resolve.

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Prabhat

Great.

Rohit

Excellent and very positive. This school is bound to bring a positive difference in the lives of people.

Anonymous

I couldn't be happier anywhere else. It's not the perfect school for everyone, since no school can be that, and applicants shouldn't idealize it as the be-all end-all of education. I think it's a difficult place for people who can flourish beautifully given nurturing conditions, but are sensitive to anything that falls short of that. Harvard's better for cactuses than orchids. However, as I said, it's as close to perfect for me as a school could get. I'm extremely happy that I've made close friends with some of the brightest and most interesting people I've ever met, which was always a problem for me in high school. (I didn't make a lot of lasting friendships in high school.) I'm also really happy with the quality of the education and the attention I've seen from professors. My best friend and I are both on let's-go-get-coffee terms (although hers prefers Burdick's for hot chocolate) with two of the most famous professors in our respective fields, and we're only first-semester sophomores. The extracurriculars are beyond amazing, as well. I think that's what happens when you stuff this many former national champions into one campus. The number and professionalism of the events hosted by the charity clubs is beyond belief. I myself belong to a publication which owns its own building, which is ridiculous and wonderful.

Daniel

I love everything about the school, from the food to the courses available to my peers. I always can find a party to go to, but always have academic help when I need it too.

Bonnie

I absolutely loved my entire experience at Harvard University - I've never regretted my decision to attend this school for a second. I love the incredible history in our institution. When you move in your Freshman year, you find in your welcome packet a list of everyone who has every lived in your room, including some historic individuals. I've loved the passionate people, the professors who people from most other universities only read about, and the opportunities it affords both on campus and off.

Alyssa

Harvard is a place for the independent student. No one will hold your hand through the process and you are responsible for seeking things out yourself. That being said, while this may be intimidating at first, I have absolutely grown as an individual because of it. I have more confidence in myself. In addition to building this go-getter attitude, there are incredible opportunities here to connect with the most influential people in the world. It truly is a place like no other.

Ryan

At Harvard, everyone's a leader. It's a bit exhausting and spurs untold numbers of inferiority complexes. It's a place that makes people feel like they should be extracurricular superstars as well as academic. There are a million student groups, tons of volunteer organizations and opportunities and a great infrastructure to support them (the Phillips Brooks House), final clubs, fraternities and sororities, political groups, and a bunch of other kinds of activities. Having transferred from a state school, I could hardly believe how much money the place has. It's evident everywhere, and most students have no context for appreciating how lavish it is. From the gorgeous dining halls to what struck me as amazing food and gourmet menus (that I of course eventually tired of) to the receptions and wine and cheese that followed lectures, to what seems to be hundreds of thousands of dollars given to undergraduates for research during the year and the summer. Being located in Cambridge is definitely a nice thing about Harvard, though the people of Cambridge might disagree. It's wonderful to have such beautiful and vibrant neighborhoods within walking and biking distance of the campus, though thanks to the Harvard Corporation, the corporate body alternately controlling or at odds with the faculty and administration, Cambridge is getting more and more expensive and commercially and demographically homogeneous.

Valerie

Best things about Harvard are the quality of the academics and the residential house system. School is just about right in size. Harvard has name-brand recognition. Most of time on campus is spent in class or at home (the in the residential house). Cambridge has become a college town. The administration is big and bureaucratic. Not sure what the biggest recent controversy was. There are always a lot of medium-sized controversy specific to certain groups. Recently, there was a decision to suspend admission for transfer students for a few years. The biology or psychology department invited a speaker a few months ago who was very critical of the Israeli psyche. There is a good amount of school pride. Unusual about Harvard is its prestige, its wealth, and the attention it receives. Memorable experience - graduation! Students have complained that the administration can be difficult to deal with, especially the registrar's office.

Tate

Harvard is interesting. The best thing about Harvard is the people, the one thing about Harvard I would change is the amount of competition. I love that many Harvard students are ambitious (not just academically) and that in general, we have goals and work hard for them. I spend the majority of my time in my House and the time I have spent here with my friends is time I will always remember.

Dave

The best thing about Harvard is the prestige. Let's be honest, your paying for a name and a diploma. Classes are fine but are you really going to ever use them? Probably not. The people are interesting and talented, which is a double edged sword in a sense. Cambridge is nice but probably much better once you're 21, then you can really utilize the surroundings. You spend most of your time there, not in Boston like everyone thinks. There is not a lot of school pride because everyone is busy.

Katie

- it's the perfect size: not so many people that you're overwhelmed but enough so that you can meet someone new everyday. also, the "house" system helps to build a stronger sense of community within the larger campus - hmm how do people react when i tell them i go to harvard? they're usually surprised. i wonder what that says about me... :) i'm going to be optimistic and say that they're probably just in awe that i have brains on top of these stunning good looks :) that was a joke... -cambridge is awesome: there is always something fun happening somewhere, but it's not as completely overwhelming/noisy/overcrowded as someplace truly in a city.

Tate

There isn't a lot of school pride at Harvard. Even when the women's Hockey team made it to the NCAA Frozen Four tournament, there wasn't much spirit around campus.

Torry

The best thing about Harvard is its location in Cambridge. It's close enough to the city that students can experience a city atmosphere, but it still has a small campus feel to it.

Wally

The size of the school is just right, and most of the people here are nice too. People's reactions to hearing that I go to Harvard tend to vary from congratulatory to disdainful. I would have to say the worst thing about Harvard so far is the food; both food quality, and dining hours. I would much rather be able to forgo paying board and buying my own food with the money. The whole "unlimited meal plan" for every student is just B.S. in my opinion to get everyone to pay the extra mandatory board fee.

Charlie

Harvard is simply wonderful. The students, here, are amazing. It seems like almost everyday, you find out something about a fellow student that is breathtaking that you didn't know. At the same time, however, most people are so down-to-earth that you might not ever have guessed their magnificent accomplishments...and they're extremely nice.

Paige

The best thing about Harvard is the people that you meet. You can always find your niche and there are people who are just as amazing at the things you're good at too. As always, having to drop the H bomb is kind of annoying but sometimes it works to our advantage. I feel like the other really great thing is the upperclass housing, it gives a sense of community I feel can't be rivaled. Though a lot of rooms are old and small, etc, it doesn't matter really. I feel like the worst rooms here are better than some of the average rooms at other universities. Though I would say the demographics are clearly skewed towards asians. I tend to see few minorities (black, hispanic, indian american) and would like to see more of that.

Vick

Best thing: the students. You'll learn more from them than from classes. One thing I'd change: Advising could be better.

Chris

The best about Harvard is the people. Coming from a High School where in every class about half of the students were completely uninterested in anything that was happening or asleep it is refreshing to be in classes where almost everyone cares about what is going on and is engaged in the subject matter. You need not look far if you need help with anything academically. That is also a reflection of the advisers, teaching fellows, and class review sessions.

Torry

The housing system is generally really good, although the blocking system could use some refinement -- I've seen a lot of groups fall apart after sophomore year. It is great having everyone live on campus, though, and it creates a strong community. Harvard's size is perfect, because you never know everyone but you always know someone. Dropping the "H Bomb" can be both a satisfying and an awkward experience, but it is really comforting to know that it will be that much easier to get a job when I graduate. Harvard Square has lost some of its character with all of these new chain businesses moving in, but it is hard to beat the location of Harvard right next to Boston. In terms of spirit, Harvard people aren't really crazy fans like at a lot of state schools, although everyone goes nuts for things like the Harvard-Yale Football Game. I guess it seems a little pompous, generally, to go around cheering Harvard.

TJ

Harvard is quite simply Harvard, old, bureaucratic, elitist, diverse, one big mix of everything. I feel like I came from another world sometimes, even though I came from a prep school, it wasn't a Northeastern one. It is not necessarily that obvious, but if you have a wide variety of friends it becomes clear that there are divisions according to who's a legacy, who went to which elite prep school, who plays what sports. The most obvious example is the Hasty Pudding Social Club which initiates freshmen based on if they are legacy or were part of an elite secondary school network, or if they are abnormally "cool" (mainly the former two). They are instantly a broad clique, or a network that will maintain wealth and power in America. The rest of the people are either aware of the divide, or do not even notice it. Either way, finding friends is key at Harvard I believe. Whether it be a network of high class kids with the best of facilities or people who enjoy doing science together, its all about the community you build among your peers.

Kelati

Harvard is really interesting as a school because of how global it is. There are students from all over the country and it is really great to learn from them about their worldly experiences. The campus is gorgeous, minus the awful New England weather. The city of Cambridge is really safe, yet has great things to do in the square. Coming to Harvard really made me appreciate the amazing academics I get to participate in.

Alex

The best thing about Harvard is the heterogeneous nature of the student body. A student who wants to learn a lot about the way other people see the world can with ease. One thing I'd change though is the amount of work assigned in classes. Not this much work is needed to assure students grasp the material and may indeed conflict with the goal of learning for the long term since students are so busy cramming reading for the exam/paper.

Shelby

Thankfully, Harvard is just the kind of college I had envisioned for myself: the size of the school allows for individual expression without compromising the overarching school spirit. The campus is situated in the heart of Cambridge, MA and is easily accessible from almost any direction by public transportation. Even so, students tend to spend much of their time on campus grounds.

James

Harvard is a place where anything can happen, at least academically speaking. With the most funding and academic resources of any university in the country, Harvard has a lot to offer for anyone interested in academic exploration. Harvard has an interesting relationship with Cambridge, its host city, but this suburb of Boston is full of great restaurants and mildly friendly inhabitants (for the East coast, anyway). Boston itself is also close by, a walkable city full of history and culture. Winters here are hard to get through, but spring is rewarding and fall is beautiful. It's a small enough campus so that it's easy to feel familiar with a lot of people, but big enough so that you can establish your own niche and have elbow-room to follow your own pursuits with your own style. If you're interested, you can make connections with administration - and with anyone else on campus you feel like getting to know. The food is decent (they try), the campus arts scene is absolutely amazing, and the volunteering opportunities at Harvard are actually endless.

Bobby

Harvard has many opportunities but it is up to the student to take advantage of them. But you get first priority at a lot of things.

Bevan

the college offers a great network for business opportunities, I would like to have a golf course though

Alan

I spend most of my time in my room or the library, but I get distracted by computer games a lot so I don't study that much. I would like to have more school-run outdoor activities because I need sun and wind to thrive.

Alex

I can understand skipping meals, but I don't understand skipping breakfast. While the other meals could be lackluster to revolting, HUDS never fails at breakfast. (except for Sunday mornings)

Blake

I LOVE Harvard. The quality of classes, professors, and students makes the experience a remarkable one. Students are generally very nice and interesting. I love the location and "feeling" of the campus, as well as the dorms.

Aaron

If I could change one thing about Harvard I would offer a series of "life courses" that help individuals with personal finances, and understanding what it means to invest and be a responsible adult in today's society.

Lindsey

The opportunities to do what ever it is that excites you are amazing; its a diverse and passionate place as far as interests go. There is also always something going that is fun or interesting. Saying you go to Harvard whether you like it or not tends to get a strong response for people; most of the time it is good. You will learn a lot here both inside and outside the classroom here at Harvard as you peers are unique and high achieving individuals.

Peter

The best thing about Harvard is my peers. They are kind, thoughtful, driven and have the potential to make the world a better place. I spend most of my time at the campus homeless shelter and in Hillel. Harvard's administration doesn't care much about the undergrads, unfortunately. They just missed a big opportunity to improve student in appointing a new Dean of the College.

John

social life

Jessie

Your experience really depends on you.

Ryan

One thing I would change is teaching policy. I feel many (certainly not ALL) tenured professors do not have the incentive to teach the students well. I understand that their research is important but undergraduate education deserves some attention too. One of the most frequent student complaints is lack of available food at brain break. Leftover bagels and cereals make you sick after a while.

Toby

Best thing about Harvard: prestigious, resourceful. One change: make professors more available. Most time on campus: Eliot dining hall working on psets.

Annetta

The residential community is the best thing about Harvard. It feels like a big family.

Shawn

Harvard is a great school in a huge college town, Boston. It's reputedly one of the best schools in the country

Sean

Good people. Good food. Belgian Waffles on Sunday. Weather is bad, but you should be inside doing schoolwork anyway. Right? Right.

Alex

Harvard has the national and global impact in society and that is Excellent! I would change the staff ratio and implement a more diverse faculty as well as administrators. The school is fine. People do respect me and think I am super brilliant when I tell them I go to Harvard! I spen most of my time in the science center. School pride is Great and teh one thing I will always remember is my acceptance to Harvard Medical School!

Jamie

Because I have been here for only a year, my perceptions of Harvard might not be too accurate. The best thing here is that every one is passionate about at least one thing - this enables us to be sharpened by another where we are blunt. People give mixed reactions when I tell them I go to Harvard - although in most cases I would avoid telling them I come here - usually of awe, sometimes of intimidation, and there's the occasional indifference.

Alex

It's beautiful. So many things going on.

Jordan

I love the location: a small city connected to Boston (best of both worlds) It feels like a campus, but there is a city near by. Many universities in Boston also a plus. My only complaint about the location is the weather, because it is mostly cold and wet. You feel empowered when you come here. You learn and are motivated the most by your peers.

Andy

The best thing about Harvard is the diversity of the students. The Harvard campus is beautiful, especially the Yard but I wish it was more private from tourists. The school size is just right. People are often impressed when I tell them I go to Harvard. I spend most of my time on campus in my dorm. Harvard administration is very helpful and caring towards its students. The biggest recent controversy on campus is the women hours at the gym. There is a lot of school pride. The most unusual thing about Harvard is the amount of tourists we get on a regular basis. I will always remember my time with my entrywaymates, making snowmen at 4AM in the yard. The most frequent complaints are usually about food.

Grace

Harvard is completely overwhelming. In every way imaginable: academics, socially, extra-curricular-wise, etc, and it's extremely important to stay grounded and true to yourself. It's easy to feel completely overshadowed by everyone, and the best mentality is to celebrate the achievements of everyone around you while figuring out your own path and interests. The town around is great - Cambridge has some great stores/restaurants, and it's a nice break from campus. The best thing about Harvard is the people you meet - I've met some truly extraordinary people here, all of whom are talented and passionate about what they do.

Harper

The best thing about Harvard is the different types of people here. Like everyone has a different view on everything and everyone is passionate about something and willing to learn about other things. It seems like everyone is here to get something out of college. I think Harvard is just the right size and I love the sense of community that groups and clubs create. People usually try not to freak out when I tell I go to Harvard and it becomes awkward. Sometimes they do freak out and it still becomes awkward. It's just...always awkward. I love the fact that there are other schools around so that you can assert your superiority. Haha, just kidding. But it's great to have other schools cuz you can mix it up and go to their parties and take them to your parties.

Whitney

Best thing: the people. I love being with people who are as concerned about the state of the world, as into literature and philosophy as I am. Amaazing resources and opportunities available.

Andrea

Harvard is a great school for people who have the initiative to take advantage of the opportunities it offers.