Final clubs, snobby kids, and other icky things

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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I call BS. There are definitely some, just a minority.

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<p>While I enjoy hearing how full of it I am, there is no contradiction between my opinion and yours. I never stated that there are no people at Harvard whom you would describe as pretentious, I said that I never met anyone whom I would characterize as pretentious. I might well not have met the few “snobs,” or I might have too high an opinion of people.</p>

<p>I definitely think that calling it a “minority” is misleading- it really doesn’t describe the atmosphere.</p>

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<p>I know. And thus I reiterate: BS.</p>

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<p>^ Must be those Wigglesworth kids :P</p>

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<p>HYP all have their elite grouping (spoken as a 2nd generation Yalie whose S is going to H) but the Finals Clubs at Harvard play a tiny part of the social scene there whereas the Secret Societies at Yale (just read the series of books “Secret Society Girl” which is pretty much spot on and written by a former Yalie) are a looming presence on campus – even if one never enters any of them-- and while the Princeton Administration hates the Eating Clubs, the fact is that The Street dominates Princeton campus culture.</p>

<p>I can tell (and have been an Old Blue for almost 30 years) within 5 minutes at most which of the three schools a kid attends/attended. There is something to the “Princeton Charlie” that even scholarship kids pick up and there is a sense of deep bonding to Mother Yale (everyone knows Bright College Days is the alma mater and most know the words) whereas Harvardians are quirky, a bit full of themselves (they subtly drop the “H bomb”) and much less of a cohesive group, yet are wicked smart and one gets the sense that they KNOW that they are charged to be the leaders of society. </p>

<p>None of these are better than the others but the differences are discernible to those who know what to look for. And the least elitist in terms on money (but not candlepower) is Harvard–by far.</p>

<p>I look forward to wearing my Blue to The Game-- maybe my son will show up in Crimson, but its much less of a big deal in Cambridge,</p>

<p>Finally-- visit the three schools and the vibe is very different. very.</p>

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<p>I very much agree etondad - and thank you for the additional insight!</p>

<p>I’m from the class of 2014 (that is, only recently admitted) but even to a pre-frosh, much of what you said definitely rang true to me. </p>

<p>Here is my take - from a prefrosh/external impression perspective :)</p>

<ol>
<li>Rah Rah culture/school spirit</li>
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<p>Princeton:
Princeton gave me the impression of having the most dedicated alums, the fiercest loyalty and the biggest proportions of multiple generational legacies. It truly felt like a place where all Princetonians (future, current or past) were one big extended family. The bonds to Princeton seemed incredibly strong and this was reflected in a very intense sense of school spirit. It also did feel a much more like a “bubble” but a happy, and very beautiful one. </p>

<p>Yale:
Had SO much school spirit as well, clearly everyone loved and waxed lyrical about their school. Again, a little bit of a bubble atmosphere - particularly in New Haven, but it’s a very “place” happy school (I mean that the administration was to me the warmest, most personal). </p>

<p>Havard:
The attitude was completely different in regards to school spirit. There was a lot of school spirit in regards to sport, but overall there didn’t exist that same “rah rah” culture. Harvard kids don’t (or don’t want sound like they’re) take(ing) Harvard that seriously, and do not go about waxing lyrical about their school. </p>

<p>The reason behind that (to me) is that Harvard has a lot less to prove, and has to wear its name more gracefully - it would sound horribly pretentious and really overbearing for Harvardians to try to lift themselves up and put other schools down when it is already in that position of Mr No.1. I think Harvard in general reacts to its name by being a little less boastful, a lot more irreverent, and perhaps more self deprecating. Its students and indeed its administration when I spoke to the faculty, were much more “warts-and-all”, and didn’t try to put any gloss or spin on anything. </p>

<ol>
<li>Pretentiousness of students</li>
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<p>Princeton:
I can honestly say, that within 5 mins of getting to Princeton, all stereotypes of the pretentious, elitist Princetonian left my mind. Princeton kids were not at all pretentious or elitist. I do think however that the bubble-like nature of Princeton perhaps turns out kids that are perhaps a little more used to living the good life and being coddled a bit. As in soft and protected and a little used to having things handed to them on a silver platter. </p>

<p>Yale:
Yale students were not pretentious either, though I think that somehow at Yale class and money were more of an overt issue. I met many many elite-private-school types at all 3 but somehow only at Yale did those students make an issue of where they had come from and who they knew. (Basically saing: there are some pretentious ppl at Yale, but obviously not the majority).</p>

<p>Harvard:
Pretention is a little different at Harvard. Obviously the final clubs and such seem unegalitarian, but I think that the overall atmosphere at Harvard is that one has to prove their worth - and no amount of money or connections are going to overcome actual inadequacy. So in a sense, it is more egalitarian, and perhaps more “legit” because it doesn’t matter who you are - you’re still going to have to prove your ability and value. </p>

<p>I think that that sort of campus attitude - is very humbling , and therefore people who emerge - emerge knowing their own worth and having a sense that they’re capable. Harvard produces more self assurance - but I get the sense that that self assurance is well earned. </p>

<p>I think that just as an overall point:
I feel Harvard makes you a better, more knowledgeable, more worldly YOU. In all your idiosyncracies and individuality. You stand confident and empowered as an individual, unbeholden to authorities, and very self reliant and independent.</p>

<p>Whereas other schools (Yale/Princeton are the only 2 others I have a real familiarity with) makes you a proud Yalie or Princetonian. </p>

<p>Anyway, I hope this helps cross-admits in the future. I had a hard time choosing between Harvard and Yale, and in the end I went with my gut choosing a school where I felt I would be challenged more, and where I felt I would be more able to grow and to carve out my own identity and mark onto the world. :)</p>