mmz

...without sounding like you're bragging?

piccolojunior

lol, who cares...if they're mad at you it's their fault.

Rosh420

Umm.. if they ask you.. you respond by saying "Harvard"... Nothing about that is bragging..

harvard1636

seriously, if you do that whole "Boston...well, technically Cambridge..." thing, and eventually get to the fact that you go to Harvard, it is actually so much worse, because you're implictly saying that you think it's so great and better than everything else that you need to cushion it. I agree with Rosh420, it's not like you're lying or something...just say Harvard and let that be the end of it

munchkin3590

No, seriously, I can see why this is a question. I feel like I'm bragging even if someone sees my A+ paper by accident! So, (as a kid at an international school) this is how the conversation usually happens.

Someone: What are you going to do next year?
Me: Um, I'm going to uni in the States.
Someone: Really? Where?
Me: New England.
[usually people are unfamiliar enough with US geography/colleges that they think I've just given them a legit answer. Sadly, some people push it.]
Someone: Where?
Me:... um, (mumble mumble mumble) Harvard...

My dad's already bought me a Harvard hoodie, but I only wore it once so far, when I went in to school just for my one-to-one German oral with my teacher. And THAT was only because she thinks I'm stupid so... I really was bragging in that situation.

infinity2008

My daughter who graduated a few years back worked as a waitress in the summers. As you know Harvard does not start their fall semester until mid-late September. After all the summer student employees left the restaurant in late August to return to school my daughter was the only younger person left working as a waitress. One night in September a couple came into the restaurant and was making small talk to my daughter. They were being really demanding, obnoxious, complaining about everything. They treated her like no waitress should ever have to endure. They were talking down to her and saying things like "dear, it's too bad you're so young and stuck working here for the rest of your life, you should think about getting an education"! Well that's all she had to hear! After a few minutes she decided that she had just about enough of those two. She looked at them and told them that she was indeed a student and hadn't gone back yet for the fall, hoping that they would ask her what college she attended. They took the trap. She looked them both in the eye and proudly told them that she went to Harvard. My daughter said that their faces fell to the ground and they were very embarrassed. They were at a loss for words. She told me that she was never so proud to be a Harvard student as she was at that moment.

My daughter never told anyone that she went to Harvard unless she was outright asked "where do you go to school". She would actually avoid the question as much as possible. She too felt awkward. However this time it was very different. She got great satisfaction about dropping the H bomb to those two ignorant people.

Dod

Great Story infinity2008! Can't wait to share with my D entering H this fall (and looking for a waitress job now).

jenkster

LOL! I'm looking for a summer job as a waiter, but hopefully people are nicer where I live. I still do hear bad stories occasionally though.

I don't tell people I'm going to Harvard unless they ask, too. Then, I just answer Harvard kinda shyly, and when they say something congratulatory, I say something like, "Ya, I'm really fortunate!" or "I'm so excited for the opportunity!"