<p>Hey there Class of '11! I am currently a Class of '10 member so the first thrill of getting into Harvard is still fresh in my memory. I remember having so many questions that I wanted to ask, but was too afraid, like: how is the party scene, how are the guys/girls, are the professors good or are they too engrossed in their research... etc.
I just want to take the time to answer all your questions and if I don't know the answer, I know a bunch of other eager '10 and above members who can help out.
To all those considering Harvard, but are not 100% sure of it yet... take your time and really really really think hard. I am not going to tell you that you HAVE to come to Harvard, because it isn't for everyone. However, I can honestly say that I love it so much and could not see myself anywhere else.
Hope to answer some good questions!!!! And Congrats again!</p>
<p>Does every out-of-state applicant get a call to set up an interview with a local Harvard alum? And if not, would this be considered a good sign for a regular decision applicant?</p>
<p>how about those.....how is the party scene, how are the guys/girls, are the professors good or are they too engrossed in their research... etc. </p>
<p>and...how's the workload?</p>
<p>Aspen,</p>
<p>the party scene is pretty good once camp harvard is over (the week when only freshman are there is a little lame because the only parties are thrown by sketch upperclassmen, so it sucks). the guys/girls are as attractive as they are at any other school. i think the professor quality depends on the class and/or subject.</p>
<p>the workloads not too bad. time management is the key.</p>
<p>hotpiece</p>
<p>Organizingmom-</p>
<p>Yes, every out-of-state applicant gets called for an interview as long as it is possible to set one up. It's not a sign of anything.</p>
<p>What extracurriculars/pasttimes have been your favorite so far and which have you heard to recommend a few?</p>
<p>Could you comment on how prevalent it is for students to carry firearms? Is it legal/illegal?</p>
<p>^^^ WOW. just WOW</p>
<p>Not for myself -- I'm wondering if others do it to protect themselves.</p>
<p>Violent crime happens. Sorry. Even at Harvard.</p>
<p>On a related note, could you comment on Harvard's campus police presence?</p>
<p>CharterofFreedom: no weapons whatsoever, certainly not firearms- it's illegal and completely unheard of. By Massachusetts law, you need a license even to carry mace or pepper spray.</p>
<p>The campus police presence is quite strong when you're actually on campus- while the area around Harvard has many homeless people, for example, they NEVER enter the yard. (It's still tragic, though- many people that haven't lived in an urban environment before are surprised by it. There are some clubs and volunteer work available to help the homeless, incidentally). The police are certainly particularly noticable when they shut down parties at 2 AM (according to Cambridge law). It's a safe campus in general, though someone was mugged just outside the yard a few months ago (at 2 AM-ish one Friday morning).</p>
<p>CharterofFreedom- I'm going out on a limb and guessing you're a libertarian, in which case I have good news- there's a small but active Harvard Libertarian Forum, for which I'm the webmaster. You can check it out at</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/%7Ehlf/index.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~hlf/index.php</a></p>
<p>Speaking of which, I'll answer Earth-dragon- while my favorite extracurricular is the libertarian organization (and there are very, very active clubs for Harvard Democrats and Republicans, not to mention the irreplacable nonpartisan Institute of Politics), they have excellent organizations concerned with every form of sport, music, religion, dance, or whatever that you could imagine. The Model UN organization runs a huge conference every December, the Crimson is a great newspaper (not to mention the Lampoon, or the many, many other publications on campus, based around everything from politics to film criticism), and there are a number of other organizations that I can't even name. I REALLY can't say "This one or that one is better"- it all depends what you're looking for in a club.</p>
<p>The one important thing that I will note with regard to clubs (with the exception of organizations with a political, religious or otherwise demographic bent), is that many are very, very competitive. There's a comping process for many that very few students pass through (the Lampoon is notoriously difficult to enter). Just letting you know- you might really like an organization, but not be able to enter it.</p>
<p>Thanks~~ One more questions about ecs, because I'm kinda interested. I've been a pretty active speechie/debater since freshmen year. I do want to continue, but lately, I've gotten really into Speech, but in the HPDS, they only mention parliamentary debate? Does Harvard have any speech teams? Thanks~</p>
<p>Does anyone have any idea how hard it is to get a comp/get through a comp for the Crimson? I know it's a lot of work, but that aside, is it highly selective?</p>
<p>Admiral --</p>
<p>Nice guesswork. =] </p>
<p>And thanks for the link. If I happen to be admitted, I'll meet you next year. Or maybe I'll subvert the Republicans/Democrats for you guys.</p>
<p>lingbo-
no, the comp isnt selective. it's a lot of work, but if you make it through, youre on the crimson (unlike the lampoon, which cuts) ((and isnt funny)). one of my roomates comped last semester, and i'm planning on comping this semester, so i'll let you know how it goes :)</p>
<p>I love to write editorials (which is what I usualy do for my school newspaper), but I always wanted to learn photography (have no experience whatsoever-except last minute crapshoot photoshopping as editor-in-chief). I also don't want Crimson to be too much of a burden as I adjust, settle, and socialize as a frosh. Any recommendations? Also usually how much time per week is comping to be a staff writer or photographer?</p>
<p>Hey guys... sorry- I just got back to school and havent really been on CC recently! </p>
<p>My roommate is in the Crimson. I am warning you that it does take up a whole lot of time so you may need to cut down on other extras but it is a lot of fun and totally worth it- so my roomie says.</p>
<p>Harvard does have a Speech and Debate Society that works with the government school so you can do that whole scene if you like.</p>
<p>The parties (like stated before) get better with time. In the beginning, you will go through a whole thing that goes like this: go to a party, it gets broken up, go to another, it gets broken up... and so on. It does get much better but this is not a notrious party school so there won't be beer flowing from the windows of Harvard Hall 24/7....</p>
<p>I am in a whole bunch of activities but I planned my time such that I am not overinvolved such that I am doing a half a** job at any one thing. I can devote my efforts to all of what I am doing and balance school work.</p>
<p>Harvard is really safe- don't worry about that (we aren't Yale... sorry... had to throw that one in)</p>
<p>Any more questions? I should be on here more often now.... sorry about that</p>
<p>Would you recommend comping the Crimson in the first semester? I really want to get involved immediately, but I'm wondering if it would too high of a workload.</p>
<p>I would recommend it just because then you have your foot in the door and are ready to go. The first semester is a bit hectic and you will feel overwhelmed at first but it lightens up and you learn how to balance it all out. I know that comping for the Crimson is a ton...a ton... of work but my roomie said it was well worth it.</p>
<p>What exactly is "comping"?</p>
<p>Also, I don't have any journalism experience in high school since newspaper writers had to be in the journalism class. Would it be extremely difficult for me to join the Crimson?</p>
<p>can anyone give me any insight on the pre-med program at this school?</p>