Yale’s Administration encourages and initiates events that bring freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors together. For example, when my son was a freshman, he went on trips/events organized and paid for by his residential college, such as picnics, boat rides, apple picking trips, ski trips, dances, etc. That created a big-sib, little-sib environment between freshman and upperclass students. Harvard’s Administration doesn’t believe it is their job to provide students with fun. In fact, Harry Lewis, who was the Dean of Harvard College (and now of the CS Department) famously said in print “Students are here to work and not have fun!” That’s one clear difference between H and Y. Yes, at Yale they find you, because they want your college experience to be both hard work and fun. That’s not the case with Harvard’s Administration, which believes that’s too much like high school.</p>
<p>@Zerowuld: Don’t get me wrong, Harvard is a wonderful school for students that are truly focused on their goals, but don’t really want or need an Administration to provide them with social events. Most colleges, including the other ivies, provide students with those kind of social, fun opportunities. Harvard doesn’t do that; that’s the reality. So, student’s at Harvard need to be prepared to create their own fun.</p>
<p>I’m not snti-Harvard at all and I said as much. What I am saying is buyer beware. People have such an idealized view of the school that it can’t possibly live up to the expectations that are out there. I can’t speak for gibby though. I believe his son has a much better experience at Yale than his daughter at Harvard. I’m sure there are families out there where the reverse is true.</p>
<p>In fact, I have a second cousin who went to Harvard and is now a famous surgeon. His sister went to Yale and is a professor there. Both love their schools and the kidding at Thanksgiving is always a lot of fun. And, I sat in the stands and proudly watched Harvard beat my alma mater in football this season. Also, the Harvard-Yale game was one of the most exciting and satisfying games I’ve ever watched - so GO HARVARD!</p>
<p>@Falcon1 I hope you don’t feel like you have made others go quiet. I really enjoyed reading yours and Gibby’s posts and I hope others did as well. Most people have an over-idealized vision of Harvard, it is better to get out of that now. On the other hand, it didn’t make me want to attend Harvard any less, but that might just show my arrogance ;)</p>
<p>@Falcon1 @youngster9 Me too! I welcomed an honest, realistic portrait of the school; that’s refreshing and rare. And yes, I still want to attend Harvard as much as before :)</p>
<p>Yes!
D day is getting closer and now I think my application fee was a waste of money. </p>
<p>I’M not taking a multivariable calculus online course…i just barely submitted my AP Calculus BC we assign tonight on time.
Definitely not the ‘Type A’ Harvard is looking for…</p>
<p>@amberlee9 I’ve been trying to work on other apps to pass the time. I actually had my MIT interview today and it was good, but kind of comically awkward - guy was class of '55 and loved to talk. He seemed to really like me, but I could barely get a word in edgewise! I think it went well overall, though. And it definitely helped to take my mind off of Harvard (for a little while, at least!).</p>
<p>I’m not sure how much “fun” most students aiming for places like Harvard are having these days in high school. For many, college will be relatively easy after four years (if not more) of grueling “college prep.” Sadly, the experiences their parents may have had, both in high school and at places like Harvard, were very different.</p>
<p>It’s weird but I’m nowhere near as nervous now about Harvard as I was two weeks ago. I’m probably going to be a mess on D Day but these past few days I’ve actually been very calm. Is anyone else experiencing this?</p>