<p>hi@all.</p>
<p>i have heard about harvard's having something called "final clubs", but i cannot find any clear info in the web regarding this.</p>
<p>what's that mysterious institution? is this like fraternities or sororities, or like the yale skulls+bones?</p>
<p>prestigious? secret? elite?</p>
<p>thx a lot for every response!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>They're not quite secret societies, but like Princeton's eating clubs and Yale's secret societies, they are elite student groups that are very picky about accepting ("punching," at Harvard) new members. Some of Harvard's better known ones are The Porcellian, The Fly (reputedly started by FDR after he couldn't get into The Porcellian), and A.D. Benefits? I dunno... except maybe a bunch of people like you to hang out with and go to parties with.</p>
<p>it's pretty risque. It's a soririty for rich white boys who are very exclusive about who they want into their little club. You can read more on it in the TRUTH ABOUT HARVARD book published by the Princeton Review.</p>
<p>Actually I know plenty of boys - who are black and non-rich - who are in Finals Clubs. That isn't to say they aren't exclusive, but I just want to make sure people don't get a completely wrong idea about them.</p>
<p>There are a few secret clubs. Many of them have houses around Harvard, although some clubs are more for partying(The Fox).</p>
<p>What do the Princeton "eating clubs" do? Are they like skull and bones or something like that?</p>
<p>I believe that Princeton's "eating clubs" are much more up front with their existence and who their members are.
Skull and Bones are very different from the eating clubs.</p>
<p>Are women allowed to join....ever?</p>
<p>All of the FC are exclusively male. My understanding is that there is always a component of the undergraduate membership that's in favor of making the clubs go co-ed, but that the governing boards of alumni are generally opposed to this and the clubs cannot change their rules without the permission of the board. Check back in 30-40 years and you might see a co-ed finals club.</p>
<p>I would call the FC selective and somewhat secretive, but I'm not sure sure I'd call them elite. </p>
<p>Laurenemma, which clubs are you referring to as secret? I didn't know H had any secret societies (I guess they're very, very secret). </p>
<p>There are a couple of women-only clubs that have recently been founded, some of which might be considered female equivalents of FC, but they have nowhere near the same level of money, property, or resources of the male clubs. </p>
<p>And of course, Harvard also has a handful of non-official frats and sororities as well. (Edit: by non-official, I mean not recognized by the university--I believe they are recognized chapters of their parent fraternal organizations.)</p>
<p>I don't know of any secret Harvard clubs. I was more referring to the fact that they aren't really open to the public, poor wording on my part.</p>
<p>thanks you all, cool to have the experts here!</p>
<p>1) but does harvard not have this rule that every club etc. must be co-ed? so are the final clubs "official"? </p>
<p>2) what's the point in owning houses? (do the members live there?)</p>
<p>3) do the final clubs have websites or something like that?</p>
<p>thx</p>
<p>1) The University did in fact institute rules a while back that every organization must be open to both genders in order to be recognized - at which point the finals clubs decided that they no longer needed/wanted to be officially recognized by Harvard. So no, they aren't "official," and thus are not subject to any of the rules imposed upon other Harvard organizations (like the co-ed rule, or party curfews).
2) The members don't live in the houses, but I suppose there is something to be said for an organization owning millions of dollars worth of property. Parties and other events are thrown in the houses though. They're beautiful.
3) No websites that I know of.</p>