Harvard University Top Questions

The best thing about Harvard is the money. No other college will provide its students with as many opportunities as Harvard.

Busy. Talented Students. Challenge yourself. Dream. I will always remember how intimidated I was on my first day of classes here. It never totally went away, but I learned how to admire the brilliance of the people who set with me in class and learn from them rather than be scared by them.

Harvard is large and competitive. Everything seems cold and distant and riddled with bureaucracy. I walked on to the crew team in the hopes of doing something fun and being a student athlete, but it took up too much time and I did not make friends on the team. By the time I quit, most of the year had passed and I realized that I had spent much of it just rowing and suffered academically and completely destroyed my social life. I wish there was less emphasis on sports at Harvard. I believe in amateurism in sports, the the division 1 teams here sometimes resemble professional teams. The recruiting process is very intense. When you walk into the dining hall, you'll find tables with nothing but football players, or rowers, or lacross players, etc... You almost forget that this is supposed to be a nerd school.

The best thing about Harvard is the community of people who share similar goals, interests, and values.

I really like the size of the school. I like that it is so large and that you are always able to meet new people. People are generally either awed or really put off when they learn that I go to Harvard. There isn't really that much school pride. Students complain a lot about the work.

The size of Harvard is perfect until you hit senior spring, when people start getting old. The best thing is the huge range of types of people. I don't see that much school pride outside of H-Y, but I personally am very proud to go here. I'll be grateful for that opportunity for forever, partly because others' reactions to the name will always remind me that it was a privilege.

The best thing about Harvard is the many opportunities you have here, and the amazing people of diverse backgrounds and attitudes. Harvard's administration is great, they allow you to do what you wish.

I love Harvard. The campus and its buildings ooze with richness and tradition; I walk around and I have a sense that I am in a place of great learning. It is a very fulfilling feeling. Though the students are not always impressive, the university itself and the exquisite faculty more than compensate.

the best thing about Harvard? BEST acedemic environment: Library, access to tons of books, famous professors, nice TF

It's cool. The dining halls are awesome

I would like to increase the number of courses.

Not enough school pride. In fact, it's bad to have school pride. I think that sucks. Balls.

I love Harvard. The school takes care of their students, and this definitely pays off in the long run. I will forever be loyal to this college. Cambridge is gorgeous, and so fun to explore. Their isn't a ton of pride, but the house spirit is fun to see on housing day.

Very grueling (academically for science majors, extracurricularly for humanities majors.) Everything is a constant competition, which grows tiring.

While you may not get the close faculty interaction that you might at a smaller or less prestigious school, without a doubt, the best thing about Harvard is the people here. Everyone, no matter how unassuming, is incredible at something - academics, athletics, research, or just plain smart. This applies to the students, the professors, the tutors - everyone. Being in a community like this really motivates and inspires you to try to push yourself and do great things.

Too many students take themselves too seriously here and undervalue friendships and relationships. Regardless, for me this has been a wonderful experience.

Life is alright. As a computer science major, I probably spend more time cooped up doing work than other people. I like the house system. It's great to have upperclassmen living on campus, and the system does a good job of fostering a sense of community. Cambridge is a fantastic city to live in. I don't think you can really do much better in terms of location, unless you absolutely can't stand cold weather. Anything you could possibly want is nearby and the T is an incredibly convenient public transportation system. You wouldn't want to be driving around Boston, anyway. Some people complain about the party scene, other people seem to be pretty happy with it. To be honset, I don't party, so I really can't judge.

Harvard is perfect in every way.

Everything. liberal arts, known worldwide. Good college town (i'm partial since i grew up here) i mean boston is close and ny city isn't THAT far if you wanted to go for a weekend. Harvard-Yale rivalry is great. my sister and mother both went there. and my brother and father went here, so i broke the family tie.

The school is great. I love that there is such a diverse student body and everybody has a story to tell. I hate telling people, though, that I go to Harvard because I feel a stigma. I spend most of my time socializing or studying in the libraries. I love the housing system, it really makes the school unique and fosters a strong sense of community. I feel though that sometimes students complain too much, such as with food in the dining hall or too many tourists around.

Harvard life is extremely competitive but at the same time very rewarding if you can adapt to this environment. It definitely helps one to become more prepared for the competitive world outside college. Definitely be prepared to live on the edge.

The most frequent student complaints I hear are either about the immense workload or the extremely elitist social scene.

this is a load of crap

I would increase financial support. The professors I got to know so far are much more accessable than one would think they are due to their reputation and they are very encouraging and motivating.

harvard is about the most diverse place you could be in life, but peopel are really ambitious, and putting too many ambitious people in one place leads people to talk about and start to define success similarly, making everyone want the same things (ibanking.)

Academic Debate is very rigorous, but it doesn't matter where you come from or what rank you hold as long as your point is sound.

The best thing about Harvard is probably how much you learn from your peers. Having arguments, and discussions with friends over dinner or in the dorm can be extraordinarily educational. I think the size is just right: it is large enough that you can easily disassociate yourself from people with whom you don't really want to spend time, but small enough that when you meet someone, you will bump into him or her every once in a while. Cambridge is great. Not very much school pride, though.

The people are incredible, diversity of ideas huge, many resources(from many libraries to the speakers Harvard can attract), campus size isn't too big or too small, Cambridge is a great area as is Boston

Harvard University is an unusual institution. It holds the distinction of being one of the most famous (if not the most famous) schools in the world. Because of that, it attracts a lot of criticism, some of it disingenuous at best. Although I have only completed 1 year, I will endeavor to give an accurate account of the school. The Campus is attractive, and there are lots of nice shops and eateries, although many are bit too pricy for the starving student (Burdicks has great hot chocolate, superb for a nice date...at 4 bucks a mug! The River Houses (I live in Winthrop) are bit crowded but still pleasant. Boston is a cool place, but I really did not find myself going into the city that much as there was usually something on campus to do. All the academic facilities are nice, once one gets over the architectural atrocity that is the Science Center. The food is pretty good by college standards (at least it compares favorably with all of the other schools I have visited, save Middlebury College). The administration of the school is very good--there is not a lot of paperwork, it is easy to get into classes, and things seem to be run efficiently in general. There are vast resources for those who access them, but the school does a poor job advertising some their services.

Harvard is amazing because when it snows, it is the single most beautiful place in the world. The academics are almost similar to any other Ivy League; however I believe the surroundings and the facilities make it much better. I would change the housing at Harvard. Much of it is old and dilapidated and need renovation. The school is a little too large. People admire the fact I go to Harvard. I spend most of my time in my room at Harvard. College town for sure. Some of Harvard's administration are nice and others are mean but realistic, The biggest controversy on campus is primal scream, there is not that much school pride, Harvard is relatively normal, one experience I will always remember is walking across the frozen Charles River with my girlfriend, students complain a lot about the food

I have three best things: The people, the resources, Cambridge One thing I'd change: It should rain less here Size: I think the size is just about perfect. I will never know everyone here so I have new people to meet every day. However, I also don't feel lost. Any time I go out walking through town, I run into a number of people I know. Where I spend time: Coffee shops, bubble tea shop, dining hall talking and working with friends College town: Cambridge is the best college town I know. I know this place and feel comfortable here, but I will never get bored. There are a million coffee shops, restaurants, bars, theaters, street artists and unique shops, and I'm never bored with my options. Administration: It is a bit big and impersonal, but if you make an effort and take the initiative to reach out to top administrators (professors, deans, president, etc.), they are usually happy and even excited to meet with students one on one. Controversy: Party grants. Should Harvard pay for alcohol at student parties? They had been paying for both food and alcohol at private student parties but recently they stopped paying for alcohol which angered many students. School Pride: People do not usually advertise their school pride (probably because of modesty), but if you talk to most students, you will see that they really lover Harvard. Unusual: You are thrown in a world of 6,500 incredibly talented, inspirational people. Every day a friend surprises you when you find out they won the Olympics or Intel or published a book or started a multi-million dollar business. I don't think any other school has that. One Experience: This was such a simple experience but one of the best in my time here. After performing in a play during my freshman year, some of my friends and I went to CVS and bought ten pints of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Then we took the elevator in the Science Center to the top floor. The building is really high and you can see the entire Boston skyline from the top. We sat up there and ate our ice cream straight pints we were passing around. A friend of mine, an Earth and Planetary Sciences Concentrator, had a key to the star observatory on this roof. All of went inside and used Harvard's most powerful telescope to see Jupiter and Mars, and Saturn, and we ate more ice cream, and started to dance, and it was incredible.

Harvard is a trade school for future investment bankers, corporate lawyers, and directors of non-profit organizations. The rest of us don't fit in.

Ok, here is the deal. If you want attention from people, do not come to harvard Ever. Harvard is filled with people who craves for attention and they figure out ways to get them. I have friends with 4.0 GPA and come cry to me every single time after a test to say how he messed up and he is actually sick and deserves a make-up test, i will be foolish enough to take him out to dinner to make sure he does not kill himself that night, even though I have a work due the next day. of course, a few days later he will call and tell me he got the highest score in the whole freaking class and the teacher/prof invites him to do research,etc etc. this is all because NO BODY CARES ABOUT YOU at harvard. Think about it. the prof s are super famous busy important people, they are not going to care about some stupid undergrads, students were all stars in their high schools, and they do not want to spend time praising someone else. Expos teachers are hired under a 3 year contract, they are forced to leave after that. they are not even qualified teachesr. they can not be more cranky when they teach freshman expos, supposebably the most important class. if people care, ie, the expo teachers, they think like this: "oh, ok, harvard students. you guys think you can rule the world huh? let me give you a C on your first paper, SUcK ON THAT!" Of course, the TOp TOp students at harvard MAY get Some attention from Some people, but don't bet on that. one thing I will change? i think harvard should care more about its STUDENTS! harvard is the coldest place on earth. yet the system is so beautifully politically-correct. you run into a prob, fair enough, go talk to the resident dean, and you will get the beautiful lady with a huge and fake smile on her face and oozing the idea of "ha.. i can't care less, but i m a professional,let me make sure you rant it out and forget about it the moment you walk out of my door." No one can count on anyone for support, true help, etc.

Best thing about Harvard: the people, definitely, and the amount of resources that you learn to take for granted. It's phenomenal. One thing I'd change: the weather. The constant gray and freezing temperatures of Cambridge in February are absolutely unbearable. Size: I think Harvard is ideal for me. It might be too big or too small for other people. Reaction: People tend to be like "oh my God" or "you must be really smart" or whatever else...but I just mention it, not brag about it, and they see me as fairly normal so it stops being awkward after a few minutes (with some exceptions, of course). Where do I spend most of my time on campus? My dining hall. I study in there because there's free caffeine and friends to talk to. Other than that, probably walking back and forth through the Yard on the way to classes...most of which are in William James Hall (otherwise known as Siberia because it's so far away from everything). College town: Cambridge is a pretty urban area, and Harvard Square has a ton of stuff to do/eat/shop for/etc. However, Harvard is right on the Charles River, so there's nice jogging trails and you can walk around the Business School campus across the river, as well as some beautiful residential neighborhoods to explore. Harvard's administration: I mainly pay attention to the administration at the House level and the academic level (such as new programs being implemented etc.). As for the larger Harvard Corporation's actions in the world, I try to keep up-to-date on them but am not really involved in Undergraduate Council or other groups that remotely act on those things. Biggest recent controversy on campus: Uh...the women's only gym hours? I'm not actually sure... Is there a lot of school pride? I think that Harvard students tend to be wrapped up in their own lives and the lives of their close friends, but we do tend to band together over things like Harvard-Yale (and only Harvard-Yale...other schools don't count. Seriously.) Is there anything unusual about Harvard? Aside from the huge amount of resources, the amount of tourists is unnerving at first. Also, the fact that they touch the John Harvard Statue's foot...which people pee on (and which I would not admit except in the hopes of stopping people from touching the thing...) One experience I'll always remember: I don't know. There are far too many. One experience, I guess, was staying up all night freshman year talking with my blockmates and then running around in the snow at 6 in the morning when the sun was barely rising and everything was blue and pink and white... Most frequent student complaints: Too much stress (not only from the work, but from extracurriculars etc.), not that great of food (I think it's fine...and it's FREE...)...and I think that's about all. Oh, and the weather sucks for about 4 months each year.

I'd like a more personal feel. I feel almost forgotten as an undergrad. Everyone who doesn't go to Harvard thinks this school is really hard or that I'm really smart for being here, but it feels overrated (except fot he housing). School pride only shows up, for me, at Harvard Yale games, but I'm sure it's there at sports games.

Best thing: opportunities. Being at a school with such a large endowment makes almost anything possible. The size is pretty good. At times I feel like it's too big, but I can say 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} that whenever I walk to class (or anywhere) I see a few familiar faces and say hi to a couple of people, so it's big in a manageable way. When I tell people I go to Harvard, there's often that "H-bomb" effect, like the "Oooh, so you go to Harvard?" look on their faces. I mean, it does not mean I'm a genius, it really means that I was lucky enough to be favored during the admissions process. I spend most of my time doing homework, in meetings, or rehearsals (I do a lot of performing arts). Free time is usually spent just hanging out with friends, sometimes going into Boston. School pride, yes. School spirit, no. Frequent student complaint/controversy: food SUCKS!

Harvard is wonderful. I love every minute of my life on campus, from going to class, hanging out with friends, eating in the dining hall, and taking in my experience. Most of my friends feel the same (they love Harvard) but there are a surprising number of people who are unhappy here, and I'm not sure why. I personally love the size, the houses (Kirkland!!!), and the Cambridge neighborhood. The one thing I would change is that I wish there were more school spirit and school pride. Harvard students like to complain about a lot of things, whether or not they are truly bothered by it, and that undermines a lot of pride they might have in their institution.

People are really nice here but it is difficult to have deeper relationships.

Harvard is really fun, has nice people who bond, school size is small and just right. If you drop the H-bomb and tell others you go to Harvard, you get praises to your face and whispers behind your back. I spend most of the time in cabot or in my room. Science center for most of my classes and section. Cambridge is the cutest college town, I LOVE the environment. Complaints: expos (writing class) sucks, Orgo really really sucks, but overall I LOVE Harvard!

The people. The housing and the food. Just right. They think one is a god/goddess and stop acting natural. My room. "What college town" Too complicated. Don't remember. You kidding! Who doesn't feel proud of going to Harvard! Is there anything usual about Harvard? My roommates. "I'm tired, I'm busy"

I enjoy it a lot here. Not just the prestige, but the history. I just wish I had a spare moment to enjoy it sometimes.

“Mother Harvard does not coddle.” --what I was warned in San Jose, CA, as a high school senior decided upon coming here Former Harvard President Lawrence Summers: “’Year after year we seem to deny the laws of mathematics. Here’s how we do it. We survey the freshmen, and we ask them, do you think you’re in the top half of the class or in the bottom half of the class? About 60 percent say that they’re in the bottom half of the class. We also survey seniors. Are you in the top half of the class or are you in the bottom half of the class? And almost two-thirds say that they are in the top half of the class. It’s really quite remarkable what we are able to do for you.’ Perhaps at first it will be hard and you will be discouraged, Summers seemed to say from his perch. But by the end of four years you’ll be one of us: the confident, the elite, the educated.” --Liz Goodwin ’08, Harvard Magazine Harvard, journey that it has been, is a true college adventure. Never before in my life (and never afterward, I suspect) have I been so intimidated yet empowered, surrounded by resources yet shut up by work. I am amazed by my professors and classmates, amazed by the opportunities that the brand name (and its money) brings, amazed by the obsession some outsiders accord to this place. Being a student here means you are a success; it also means there is a formidable amount of pressure on you to constantly keep succeeding. Studying here often means being inundated with work, but it’s the life lessons I’ve picked up and the things I’ve learned about myself that are far more memorable than anything I’ve been taught in class. I’ve loved being here, I’ve wished to God I weren’t here, I’ve tried to escape, I’ve realized there’s nowhere else I want to be (and a lot of people share this love-hate relationship!). Ultimately, I couldn’t be happier anywhere else, and I wouldn’t be the same person anywhere else. Yet Harvard is like those AP textbooks that condition you to the material by testing tougher than the exam itself: whatever my apprehensions about the future and the real world, I think to myself, “it can’t be much more difficult than this.”

The best thing about Harvard is that it is extremely well-endowed. You can get funding for anything; up until this semester, there were grants given out by the undergraduate council for parties. There are financial aid ready for internships, research, anything you can imagine. Wealth provides endless opportunities. Oh yeah, I took this painting class, and all the materials are subsidized. I really wish that Harvard has a better art department. One thing I would change about Harvard is the horrible schedule - we have winterbreak before finals, come back for 2 weeks reading period, and then 2 more for exams, and then a short 1 week break. I always feel that I never get rested enough for the 2nd semester. But that will change in the 09-10 school year. I feel that my school is pretty large, there are always people that you will never know. But it is never a bad thing, because you're meeting different people everyday. Harvard is also great because it is right next to Boston. Symphony Hall and art museum and shopping malls are very convenient by bus or train. Harvard is a funny school because it is very liberal. There is "Primal Scream" every semester, at 12:00 AM of the start of exam period, and people (only those who wants to) run around Harvard Yard stark naked. It's not an urban tale.

Harvard's beautiful -- it takes a while to realize that. One thing you have to know when coming to Harvard is not to set overly high expectations because you'll be let down sooner or later. When I first came to Harvard, I felt disoriented -- I expected life to be perfect and the school to accommodate to my every needs. But, after having dashes of realism slapped to my face, I realized that would never happen and that Harvard is great as it is. If you go to Harvard, you're going to have to deal with the uncomfortable situation of people asking you where you go and then being shocked to hear the answer. It's a bit awkward because they usually react by believing you to be a brilliant person destined for greatness, to which you have to respond with a combination of modesty and agreement. I spend most of my time in my dorm room. I do frequent the dining halls, libraries, other people's rooms regularly though. On the weekends, when I feel overloaded, I like to go to the various shopping malls we have (3 big ones: Downtown Boston, Cambridgeside Galleria, Prudential). Boston's a great town and I'm excited to exploring it more. The complaints I have about Harvard's administration are I feel they could really do more in terms of school food and school-wide events. The food isn't great -- with that much money, shouldn't we have better food? Comparatively, though, I feel it's equivalent or a little better than most college campuses, so maybe I'm just a bit spoiled. As for school-wide events, Harvard seems to pool a lot of money into individual club events and such. There aren't many school-wide events for people to attend without club affiliation. Of course, club events are usually open to everyone, but still, it'd be nice to have more "Harvard" events to increase school pride. There is of course a lot of school pride about Harvard. Most everyone is happy that they go here and the "prestige" it lends to their self-esteem. For the most part, Harvard school pride isn't verbalized however. There is more overt "house" pride (upperclassmen are separated into Houses, where they stay from sophomore to senior year).