Harvard University Top Questions

Describe the students at your school.

Lindsey

Diverse and Passionate......however a slight majority are still study-a-holics and stress themselves out (most stress here is self inflicted....no one here wants you to fail).

Peter

Harvard is full of high-powered people. It's a very "sink or swim" kind of place. If you're not independent/self-directed, it will take a lot more work to thrive (though it's still possible). If you are though, you have all the world's resources - grants, professors, friends to bounce ideas off of - at your finger tips. Most students wear polo shirts and jeans to class, a few wear sweatpants. The dining hall is fairly segregated by race (this is most obvious in the freshman dining hall). Most students are liberal, but the membership of the Harvard Dems and GOP are about equal (because right-leaning students are much more likely to affiliate)

John

extremely smart

Jessie

Lots of smart people, lots of not so smart people. It's a mixed bag.

Ryan

Students do interact, but seldom outside extracurricular and blocking groups. But most people are generally friendly and courteous. I would say student population is VERY DIVERSE (in everything ranging from political view to personality) except financial background.

Toby

Harvard's generous financial aid policy has made it possible to have a financially diverse demography. Most students are politically aware, since Econ and Gov. are very big concentrations here. Students who are really really really into just studying will feel out of place at Harvard (really, they belong to MIT).

Annetta

Pretty diverse.

Shawn

The student body is very diverse, but everyone speaks English very well and has a niche of friends.

Sean

Nice people. Diverse. Sincere. Some crazy, some impossibly talented. Some rich, some poor. Marginal differences when compared to any other university i suspect.

Alex

Harvard is good in racial isues because it includes a good deal of black students. Students here do not seem to lack the understanding that everyone is created equal and for teh few who do not know that yet, they will soon. Life is great for me as a student and I am looking forwrad to say teh same as a medical student next year at HMS.

Jamie

I don't think any student would feel out of place at Harvard. There is much diversity; not only in passions and interests, but also in socio-economic backgrounds - though I would assume that there is a higher percentage of middle-upper class students than there are lower-middle class. Most students (who aren't International) wear t-shirts/hoodies and jeans.

Alex

Most of the students are really really nice and energetic.

Jordan

It is the most diverse student body I have ever seen. You will see students who look and dress very differently. Everybody finds a group where they can fit in. My only complaint is that the recruited athletes are very separate from the rest of the student body. Students are very passionate about their beliefs, whatever they may be.

Andy

The student body is not very clique-y. All the students interact with each other, whether in class or in the close knit dorm/house system. You can find students from all over the world, of every religion, and from every financial background here...Harvard does not discriminate.

Grace

Harvard's student body is extremely diverse - Harvard prides itself on accepting a variety of people. But, since the school is so big it's easy to fall into your own niche and not interact with a variety of people. That's where extra-curriculars are key. Students are pretty casual, for the most part, though there are some amazing people who manage to look completely polished every single day. Harvard's student body, to me so far, doesn't seem so politically involved, at least in comparison to my high school which had the New York Times delivered practically for free every morning and everyone would discuss the hot-button topics of the day. I feel that hte political discourse at the school could stand to improve much. I miss just sitting around in the hallways discussing another blunder by George Bush or analyzing the world events of the day. Students definitely talk about how much they'll earn one day - especially when it comes around recruiting time.

Harper

I feel like generally, there is a place for everyone because this is a pretty diverse place. There is always a place for someone to fit in. The diversity can also cause conflict because not only is everyone diverse, but everyone also has strong opinions. Overall, though, most people are willing to learn about and immerse themselves in things that others like and everyone is pretty open-minded.

Whitney

Harvard is very diverse which is wonderful. Harvard students are often open-minded and tolerant, but not always. Muslims on this campus have faced some negativity.

Andrea

Most students are extremely active in a wide variety of social and extracurricular activities. For the most part, Harvard students are pretty well-rounded, although they tend to come disproportionately from privileged backgrounds.

Lorie

Harvard students are quite liberal and open.

Jessie

A vast variety of students.. each and every one is special in his/her own way.

Bevan

The tables: jocks, thespians, socialites, and scientists (and other nerds). I feel like the students are too mainstream. I'm from New York, where it was the style to be dismissive of much popular culture and to be in touch with what was cool or cutting edge. The type of student I feel is missing at Harvard is the one who's into underground, avant garde art and is critical of practically everything in philosophically sophisticated way. At Harvard, however, people are conservative in their tastes. Polo shirts are common - in general, the "preppy" look is common. It seems like most people are centre-left politically. Sadly, however, there isn't a great deal of political enthusiasm.

Christina

The student body is so diverse and large that you can find interesting friends wherever you go.

Dale

Students at Harvard are very diverse, but there are definitely cliques. People from similar racial and socioeconomic backgrounds tend to associate with each other. That is not meant to say that students from different backgrounds don't interact. People are usually very well dressed. No sweats or sweatshirts. People are very liberal in general and politically aware.

Sarah

I don't think anyone could feel out of place. Minority groups are very strong. While certain social groups attract the rich, others seem to have no problem mixing the rich and poor.

John

Many people would fit in, but I feel that everyone has a shared respect for learning and intellectual endeavors.

Daniela

Everyone is finding themselves. It is interesting/amusing/frustrating to observe, and even more so to undergo this process myself.

Mel

I think most of the students are politically active. I know some international students who dont have the right to vote still keep an eye on the election and participate the Obama rally.

Lia

Very tolerant in general.

Tristan

i have experience with LGBT. i think the group here is under-ground and not that active. there is still space for progress

Kris

See stereotypes.

Emily

People at Harvard do seem to have "money lust." Most people will probably find good jobs. Despite the stereotype of only rich kids and preps, I feel very comfortable on campus coming from a lower income family. There actually seems to be a really wide socio-economic range. The campus is very left. I think many people are predominantly left, and moderates or rights seem to be somewhat discriminated against. For example, is there a Republican Club on campus? I haven't seen them. I do really like the 'open-mindedness.' Everyone is very accepting of others.

Mike

Cut-throat competitive. Science students are very focused and driven on classes. Humanities students, who have an easier life academically, just transfer that intensity to extracurriculars, which can often have their own share of back-room intrigue as people jockey and position for resume-enhancing titles.

Corey

Harvard has a surprisingly diverse student body. It's a very large campus, so you can almost always find someone like yourself.

Jamie

Good amount of diversity all around, you can find all sorts of people.

Greg

People can be quite outspoken about their opinions. Campus is quite liberal, unsurprisingly. The student body is quite diverse---much more so than my high school---which is something I appreciate. Also, the student body is not terribly attractive. If you want hotties, go to UCLA.

Jennifer

Harvard student body is ethnic diversity.

Alex

Pretty diverse if you know where to look. Barack Obama supporters are everywhere, but then again you have to know where to look for a McCain supporter.

Steve

Student groups on campus are all over the place and a lot of them vie for your attention, which gets annoying. Everyone around here seems very uptight about political correctness - whether it has to do with race, religion, or sexuality. People should just loosen up, because at least on this campus I do not think much discrimination exists. If so, it is only by self discrimination of students of a specific race or sexuality choosing to eat meals together and not interact with people outside of their little "community".

Blake

The students are friendly, most of the time, when they're not consumed by their busy lives, that is.

Parker

Very diverse and tolerant. However, pretty segregatedm in terms of groups of friends.

aj

is pretty cool

Isabell

Students of the economic department seem to attach more importance to clothes.Internationality is lower than I expected it to be.

Jerry

is incredibly diverse, although groups tend to stick together. for example, most of my friends are minorities whose families are from the US or children of immigrants. i've also interacted with plenty of mainly-white , mainly-black or mainly-indian groups.

Ryan

Very diverse and committed. Even without much leadership groups achieve to work in a coordinated manner.

Matt

I feel like there is a very broad range of backgrounds here. Just about anyone can find a group of friends, although I notice that certain groups seem to stick together more than others. For example, a lot of the african american students seem to only associate with other students inside their race. Same goes for some groups of asian americans. A ton of harvard students are from the Mass. New England area.

Brett

people are very tolerant here, people from all walks of life and a million campus groups supporting every viewpoint on issues, people are largely politically active and really passionate about their interests, most people are liberal but there is a strong Republican group on campus, it is very socioeconomically diverse especially with the new financial aid initiatives

Linda

The most important thing about Harvard is the other students. I have met more unbelievably talented students in my one year here than I thought possible. The quality of students in the math and physics departments is truly astounding--no matter how smart you think you are, there will be many people here to challenge you. On the whole, the people I met were very friendly and interesting, if somewhat driven. It might be a problem for some people to suddenly be in a place where they are no longer the top dog academically, though it seems most students adjust fairly quickly My main negative comments about the other students are that they do tend to be VERY driven (you really almost have to be to even get in) and not openly eccentric. Though in any school with as many smart people as Harvard has there will be some oddballs, most students seem to want to put on a veneer of total control and normality. MIT, where I almost went, does seem to have a more open environment for the truly odd. Also, at least some of the students are very smart, but not intellectual--they do work to get a good resume to get a good job to be rich...They are nice people, but I was hoping for more rampant intellectualism.

Kyle

I have no experience with any of those groups, no one feels outta place at harvard, maybe the gangsters do, students wear polos and comfy jeans (not too baggy), yes diversity is key, the tables: the blacks, the nerdy smart overachievers (all very very nice and shy), the AAA (All American Asian) table, and the jocks (all races), most Harvard students are rich, students are politically active left, students always talk about pay

Parker

Diversity: I have never met a more diverse group of people. I've met people who are from countries I had never even heard of, belong to religious groups I didn't know existed, have strange, and have the most obscure hobbies (e.g. champion bird watchers, world champion DJ, New York Times Crossword Puzzle Developer). Out of Place: Someone who isn't passionate about the world, and doing something important in it. Other than that, Harvard is a pretty accepting place. What people wear: There are people who wear everything. Most commonly, though, is probably just the basic t-shirt and jeans with sneakers or rain/snow boots. During midterms and finals usually sweats. Different types of students interact: Everyone can comfortably interact here. I have never felt like there was any sort of "group" I couldn't talk to. One of the nice things about Harvard is we all live in randomized housing so people can't self select to live in dorms with people who are only athletes or only drama kids, or only musical. Everyone is mixed in together, and find a way to get along. Dining Hall Tables: -Students who are studying quietly -Students who are having dinner with their team -Students who are sitting with resident tutors and getting advice about graduate school and career options -Students sitting and talking and chilling with their friends. Our tables are different because of what people are doing, not because of who they are. One student can fit into all of these categories on different days. Financial backgrounds: The vast majority of Harvard students are on financial aid. Many of my friends have full rides based on their financial situations. Many students are upper-middle class and a few are from very well-off backgrounds. This place is diverse, and every year it is getting more so. The Harvard Financial Aid Office, though, does a great job, and it is not obvious who is on financial aid and who is not unless someone tells you because they don't force students to work a ridiculously long amount of hours or take out huge loans. Political Involvement: There is tons of political activism here on both sides of the political spectrum. We get a vast array of top politicians on campus, and the events are always packed. During campaign seasons, hundreds of students spend their weekends in DC, New Hampshire, RI, and PA canvassing. Earnings: No! Some people might say they would like to be better off than their parents or that they could live on nothing if they had too, but it would be considered in bad taste here to arrogantly brag about how much you might one day earn.

Gene

Most students, but not all, come from ruling class backgrounds. Students who would feel out of place are middle class and working class students who don't aspire to make a career out of shitting on their class of origin. The so-called diversity is very superficial. Social groups here largely segregate by race, and all these groups mostly share the same upper class values. Politically, the vast majority of students are liberal Democrats who love gay marriage but are more hesitant to support anything that would benefit the poor. Racism on campus is widespread.