Simple question:is Harvard harder than Yale academically?

[gibby]

<p>

There is a common belief that Y grads love their school and that that is less true at H. I was wondering whether rigor could be part of the reason.

</p>

<p>The reason for that belief has nothing to do with rigor, but with differing administrative philosophies that have created campuses with distinct “social tones.”</p>

<p>The “social tone” of a college results from decisions, large and small, made by the administration on issues such as physical space and its use, housing, how freshman are welcomed and integrated into campus life, what role upperclass students play as advisors and mentors, what role graduate students play, how readily faculty members volunteer to host events or trips, etc.</p>

<p>Yale’s administration goes out of their way to create a vibrant campus environment that fosters hard work, unity and FUN. For example, Yale’s administration, has arranged move-in day so that upperclass students move onto campus first and HELP freshman lug stuff up to their dorm rooms. That creates a “big-sib, little sib” feel to the campus from day-one. Harvard does just the opposite, so freshman and upperclass students have little interaction or connection.</p>

<p>Harvard’s administration strongly believes that students are on campus to work and their job isn’t to supply the fun – Harry Lewis, who was Dean of Harvard College ten years ago, actually said something to that effect during his tenure. So, Harvard’s administration – and the decisions they make – come across as cold and uncaring. Whereas, Yale’s administration acknowledges that students are in college to work and to have fun. IMHO, Harvard’s “social tone” would be much improved if the school were run by Yale’s administration, or at the very least, Harvard adopted a more student-centric approach to campus life.</p>

<p>Several years ago, before her untimely death, Marina Keegan wrote a wonderful piece called "The Opposite of Loneliness”: <a href=“KEEGAN: The Opposite of Loneliness - Yale Daily News”>http://yaledailynews.com/crosscampus/2012/05/27/keegan-the-opposite-of-loneliness&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

We don’t have a word for the opposite of loneliness, but if we did, I could say that’s what I want in life. What I’m grateful and thankful to have found at Yale, and what I’m scared of losing when we wake up tomorrow and leave this place.

</p>

<p>Most Yale students feel the same way as Marina Keegan – and much of the credit must go to Yale’s administration which fosters the kind of environment Marina writes about! Suffice it to say that no Harvard student ever has written a love-letter to their administration!</p>