<p>How much truth is there to this stereotype that Harvard kids are nerdy, low on social skills, high on intellect. Does it feel weird there? Or are the students more mainstream? I know it is a horrible question but you get my drift I hope.</p>
<p>There are nerds, jocks, goths, preps (lots of these), thespians...you name it, Harvard has it....</p>
<p>there is no "Harvard type"</p>
<p>I don't have that impression of Harvard.</p>
<p>No, I definitely don't have that impression either. I have visited several times in the past 18 months and met quite a few students, and think Harvard is populated by a very normal distribution of student 'types'.... and definitely NOT low on social skills at all - quite the contrary. </p>
<p>(This isn't unique to Harvard, of course, but since this is the harvard forum...)</p>
<p>Hi starbucksguy,</p>
<p>I guarantee you that all it would take to answer your question (in the negative) is to take a visit to the campus.</p>
<p>So no, that stereotype is completely untrue. There are a few nerdy students, and a few jock students, and a few preppy students, and (by far the majority) regular students.</p>
<p>"Completely untrue" may be an overstatement. </p>
<p>Starbucksguy, based on my daughter's impressions after a 36 hour visit with a bunch of Harvard students there is an element of truth to the stereotype, but only a little. The students she met had appropriate social skills and weren't at all intellectually intimidating. Basically mainstream, but a little light on the "party animal" scale. So I'd say that the extreme you describe isn't true, but the students probably tend a little more in that direction than at most schools.</p>
<p>She said the Brown students were more fun.</p>
<p>Well I spent a week at Harvard and found that stereotype to be completely untrue...there is a lot of diversity at harvard...and trust me there are the kids that live by the motto: </p>
<p>"Work hard...and party harder"</p>
<p>I think it's telling that when Legally Blond shot a Harvard scene on campus, they had a choice of using real students or extras to play the Harvadites. They chose to get extras. Why? Because the real students weren't "Harvardesque enough".</p>
<p>Trixee, I guess it's all a matter of perspective. My daughter was comparing a Harvard fraternity party to an average night in UCSB's Isla Vista neighborhood. She found the Cambridge boys to be very nice, but rather restrained. Of course, that was just one night. I'm sure that there are a number of enthusiatic revellers at Harvard; it may just be the concentration that's a little lower.</p>
<p>By the way: I've always hated that motto. I went to a job interview shortly after law school and when the partner gave me that line a quick "No sale" sign went up in my mind. I wanted to say "Dude! You need to learn to relax!" But I didn't.</p>
<p>There is a wide middle between "nerd" and "party hard type." I'd say most Harvard students occupy that middle. I'm glad to know that Harvard students are "restrained." I'm happy to know that S does not to live in Animal House or similar (see the thread on DormAid, for instance).</p>
<p>Yes Marite, I'd say that overall my daughter was favorably impressed - perhaps somewhat to her surprise.</p>
<p>Kluge,</p>
<p>Yeah the fraternity guys are nice, but your daughter is right, most of them are restrained...</p>
<p>being a girl I was surprised to find out how much less Harvard guys drooled over girls than at other college parties I've gone to.</p>
<p>This made me very very happy. It seems like the guys at Harvard don't have their noses up in the sky, but they also aren't willing to do anything to get some you know what. </p>
<p>I suppose that's the difference I've experienced between Harvard and other places....I'm not sure if thats what your daughter experienced?</p>
<p>hahaha, i'm not sure what your daughter was comparing, kluge. harvard hardly has a fraternity scene...</p>
<p>well...its not fraternity per se....but Finals clubs...</p>
<p>yea, I would say that a night at one of the clubs' big annual parties compares to most other schools in the country (the Spee's Pajama Party was rated one of the top 10 parties in the country by Maxim a few years ago)</p>
<p>ah, well, i guess it depends on which club you go to and on what night... from my experience (as a frequent final club party-goer), the guys can be pretty vulgar...</p>
<p>wow, quick response.
Stereotyping completely, I would guess you've been spending a decent amount of time at the Owl, the Delphic, and the AD.</p>
<p>i was actually responding to trixee's comment. but yeah, in retrospect it did seem like i replied to your comment super fast.</p>
<p>hahaha, and yes, last year i did frequent the delphic...</p>
<p>Delphic is the best in my opinion...Owl always gets too crowded...and you can't even walk.</p>
<p>i'm partial to the Spee, the Fox, and the Fly myself, but the Delphic's also a lot of fun too when you're just looking to rage</p>