<p>I understand at H you are not assigned a house until sophomore year. Do the Harvard houses have similar ammenties to the Yale colleges, for instance, is there a library in each house, a work out room, or an activity room ( ex: rock climbing)? Are there interesting guest speakers at the master teas? How involved are the counsellors in each house? Is there someone who knows you well at H, like Yale claims to have? Additionally, the students I met at H last week were bogged down with work.(I visited after Bulldog days). As Yale requires more credits to graduate than Harvard, I was surprised that the Yale students seemed less stressed. Maybe it was the Bulldog day atmosphere, and things at H will be more relaxed next week. It is difficult to make a decision, and others I met are in a similar quandry. Also, can someone comment on the night life at both schools. Some of us were a little put off by some of the parties at Y which made us feel like we were in scene of Animal House----we were sticking to the floors, and there were beer bogs and kids in the trees. (I think that they were outlooks). Is that the typical party scene or are there more civil parties at both schools?</p>
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<p>is there a library in each house, a work out room, or an activity room ( ex: rock climbing)? </p>
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<p>Yes, there's a library in each house, all have computer labs, kitchens, living rooms, and most (all? I'm not sure) have workout rooms. Other amenities vary: recording studio, pottery room, student-run Grill, experimental theater, dance space, tire swing, etc.</p>
<p>The guest in my house (Leverett) who I remember best is George Will. There were events like this going on all the time. Our Masters (Chief and Coach, as we call them) learn every incoming student's name over the summer and show up to cheer at all the intramural games.</p>
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<p>The Resident Tutors are involved on several levels. One, each is responsible for being the front line advisor to the entryway of students they live with. Two, each has an academic responsibility, either for a concentration or for a post-grad area (Rhodes/Marshall scholarships, law, med, B-school). Three, each has a house-life responsibility (intramural coaching, sexuality issues, diversity issues, House community service). The Non-Resident tutors are assigned as one-on-one mentors to juniors and seniors with an interest in the same field.</p>
<p>So using my experience as an example, I had an entryway tutor who hosted study breaks and addressed any roommate issues that came up; a psychology tutor who served as my concentration advisor and helped me choose my psychology classes; and resident pre-law tutors, who held information sessions about the LSAT, application timeline, etc. Senior year, during the law school app process, I was assigned a non-resident tutor in law -- a Harvard Law third year who shared my particular interests in constitutional law and clerkships, and who had dinner with me twice a month, edited my essays, helped select my recommendation letters, etc.</p>
<p>I have to give a shout-out here to my senior tutor, Judy Murciano, who is an absolute miracle worker.</p>
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<p>can someone comment on the night life at both schools. </p>
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<p>There are a few Animal House-style parties at Harvard, but for the most part if you want the frat scene, you party at the frats at MIT. On-campus parties are usually either House-sponsored theme dance parties, which are dry (although people sometimes drink before they go), or suite parties, which generally have alcohol available but don't get all that crazy. The semesterly House and Freshman formals are a big deal and almost everyone goes. There are also the final clubs, but that wasn't my scene at all; I never set foot in one during college. Extracurriculars play a huge part in all this -- a lot of the socialization happens with your singing group, sports team, or activity like the Crimson or the Advocate. Groups also sponsor a lot of events at the clubs in Boston.</p>
<p>Hana, I may have missed this in your response but does harvard have yale's equivalent to a Master's Tea</p>
<p>Yes. In Leverett House, they're called Masters' Open Houses; some houses, (like Lowell, IIRC), call them Teas.</p>
<p>Great, Thank you so much. I have found all of your posts quite helpful in decifering from what is true about Harvard and what are simply sterotypes and cliches.</p>
<p>I thought that Yale Master's Teas were different b/c they generally feature some kind of Famous Person?</p>
<p>Yeah, mad propz to Judy Murciano, she's incredible.</p>