<p>Why do you think the author of the USNews article bashing Harvard wrote it?</p>
<p>How often do you interact with students from MIT?</p>
<p>How often do H students sign up to take courses from MIT? And if you have experience doing it, how byzantine is the process?</p>
<p>I should be writing an essay, but I’m procrastinating - so I hope you guys won’t mind if I answer some of these! I’m a freshman.</p>
<p>How often do H students sign up to take courses from MIT? And if you have experience doing it, how byzantine is the process?
From what I’ve seen so far, it’s not extremely common, though I’m sure it becomes more frequent once you get into hard science majors. A girl I know is taking an architecture course there, and it seems to be really demanding. Additionally, the schedules don’t always match up; she had to stay on campus during spring break since MIT had classes. </p>
<p>How often do you interact with students from MIT?
Depends; if you go there a lot (for parties, puzzlehunts, whatever), it’ll be pretty often, and if you don’t, it won’t. I haven’t met any MIT students in any of my freshman classes, though my philosophy TF this semester is an MIT grad student.</p>
<p>Why do you think the author of the USNews article bashing Harvard wrote it?
Because he’s unhappy here. It’s a good reason - there’s never going to be a school where everyone is perfectly content. Although I disagree with what he’s saying and haven’t had the same experiences, I can’t disregard his opinion; it’s an opinion. He wants to make people think twice before blindly accepting a Harvard offer, which I think is probably a good thing - but I do think it’s worthwhile to also note that the majority of Harvard students don’t share his feelings.</p>
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<p>Would you be able to detail what that “different flavor” is? Or at least what Harvard’s “flavor” is?</p>
<p>Do any of you ever feel dissatisfaction about any aspect of Harvard? What? (For instance, I appreciate Calico’s recognition of the issues with not being able to see friends all the time without specifically making plans–that sort of thing.)</p>
<p>How much does geographic diversity matter in admissions decisions?</p>
<p>Hmmm. Anymore input?</p>
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<p>I might have covered a few things about which I feel dissatisfaction already in this topic, but the main thing for me is: </p>
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<p>I only participate in one extracurricular activity at Harvard (besides jobs, tutoring, etc.) because to date I’ve only found one extracurricular activity that I enjoy being a part of. Maybe it’s to my detriment, but I often like my classes and my academic discipline a lot more than I like the idea of one day becoming editor of a paper or chairman of a nonprofit, unless said paper or nonprofit is really something great. I have faith that most Harvard students do their ECs in fact because they think they’re something great, but I do wonder how some people can fit in the time to be in charge of three organizations and simultaneously grapple with academia and fully benefit from it. Maybe they’re just far better multitaskers than me.</p>
<p>Another thing I don’t like is the lack of hot breakfast in my dining hall…</p>
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<p>It’s hard to really generalize but yeah most people are friendly. It’s easy to meet a lot of people and have a wide array of friends but it’s been my experience that people make their closest friends in their blocking group and/or ECs…which I think makes sense since you spend a lot of time living with people and most people spend a lot of time doing ECs.</p>
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<p>Cookie dough.</p>
<p>Hello! How competitive are the acappella groups at Harvard? Are there any that allow semi-beginners to join?</p>
<p>@swimHYPW: depends on the a capella group. Some (such as the Kroks or the Dins) can be very, very, competitive, while there are certainly groups that have less experienced singers. Some very good singers choose not to get involved with a capella groups, and instead, perform with the opera and musical productions on campus. The standards for larger and higher budget productions such as the mainstage musicals, Hasty Pudding, Duster Opera and G&S can also be quite high (and not necessarily just lead roles, but also spots in the chorus, in certain productions)…though that often depends on the exact production itself.</p>
<p>I have seen semi-beginners get into the competitive a cappella groups when they had a strong instrumental music background. There are some people with an extraordinary natural gift that they’ve never exercised because they were too busy with the piano or violin or whatever. If that’s you, give the competitive ensembles a shot, especially if you’re a bass. Also, don’t be shy about trying more than once. It’s quite common for people to get in on a second or third try.</p>
<p>It’s been my experience that high schoolers (really, people in general) have zero clue whether they are good singers or not. My group has had poorly skilled, overconfident freshman come in and audition for only one ensemble because they were “all state” or whatever and too good for other groups. We’ve also heard stellar auditions from people who were sure they had no shot at getting in.</p>
<p>If you want to sing at Harvard, you will be able to. Kuumba and the Noteables have no auditions; the Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus takes people with moderate skill; the musical productions will often take an inexperienced singer with strong acting or dancing chops.</p>
<p>I’m currently a junior in high school, and I was just wondering: My grades last year were not the best. I had a couple of subjects in the 80-90s range, but this year my grades are dramatically higher. Is this going to affect me negatively very much when I go come application time?</p>
<p>Same here. Except I’m in a special program and in 8th grade. So technically all the classes I’m taking this year (all honors) I’m getting freshmen credits for. And Last year I had 1 freshman class in which I got a B. This year there is no way I can get an A average in Algebra 1 but I can get a high B. Will these affect acceptance into a good college? Will the school care that I’m doing honors freshman classes in 8th grade? Thanks!!!</p>
<p>As a junior in high school, can you provide any advice for getting in, other than the obvious (stay focused, do what you want, ECs etc). I’m upper class AND an ORM.</p>
<p>Bump for accepted students. I know there are some questions yet unanswered…I’ll try to do those tonight.</p>
<p>Harvard or Princeton? Is it true that Princeton focuses more on its undergraduates?</p>
<p>Thanks for the help guys!</p>
<p>1) How feasible is it to take a class out of curiosity that I may not come into with a lot of background knowledge. Are there classes geared towards non-majors or something.</p>
<p>2) How easy is it to get involved in ECs immediately upon arrival (The Crimson especially if any of you know)</p>
<p>3) I know that a lot of businesses come to Harvard to recruit interns or full-timers, but if you aren’t at the top of the class, is it hard to secure one such position?</p>
<p>I know Vistas is 16-18th this month. How highly do you recommend going? And what kind of activities are set up? </p>
<p>Do you believe that Harvard truly offers an undergraduate experience like no other? (ie. opportunities, study abroad/fellowships, etc.)</p>