how do you tell people you're going to Harvard...

<p>...without sounding like you're bragging?</p>

<p>lol, who cares...if they're mad at you it's their fault.</p>

<p>Umm.. if they ask you.. you respond by saying "Harvard"... Nothing about that is bragging..</p>

<p>seriously, if you do that whole "Boston...well, technically Cambridge..." thing, and eventually get to the fact that you go to Harvard, it is actually so much worse, because you're implictly saying that you think it's so great and better than everything else that you need to cushion it. I agree with Rosh420, it's not like you're lying or something...just say Harvard and let that be the end of it</p>

<p>No, seriously, I can see why this is a question. I feel like I'm bragging even if someone sees my A+ paper by accident! So, (as a kid at an international school) this is how the conversation usually happens.</p>

<p>Someone: What are you going to do next year?
Me: Um, I'm going to uni in the States.
Someone: Really? Where?
Me: New England.
[usually people are unfamiliar enough with US geography/colleges that they think I've just given them a legit answer. Sadly, some people push it.]
Someone: Where?
Me:... um, (mumble mumble mumble) Harvard...</p>

<p>My dad's already bought me a Harvard hoodie, but I only wore it once so far, when I went in to school just for my one-to-one German oral with my teacher. And THAT was only because she thinks I'm stupid so... I really was bragging in that situation.</p>

<p>My daughter who graduated a few years back worked as a waitress in the summers. As you know Harvard does not start their fall semester until mid-late September. After all the summer student employees left the restaurant in late August to return to school my daughter was the only younger person left working as a waitress. One night in September a couple came into the restaurant and was making small talk to my daughter. They were being really demanding, obnoxious, complaining about everything. They treated her like no waitress should ever have to endure. They were talking down to her and saying things like "dear, it's too bad you're so young and stuck working here for the rest of your life, you should think about getting an education"! Well that's all she had to hear! After a few minutes she decided that she had just about enough of those two. She looked at them and told them that she was indeed a student and hadn't gone back yet for the fall, hoping that they would ask her what college she attended. They took the trap. She looked them both in the eye and proudly told them that she went to Harvard. My daughter said that their faces fell to the ground and they were very embarrassed. They were at a loss for words. She told me that she was never so proud to be a Harvard student as she was at that moment. </p>

<p>My daughter never told anyone that she went to Harvard unless she was outright asked "where do you go to school". She would actually avoid the question as much as possible. She too felt awkward. However this time it was very different. She got great satisfaction about dropping the H bomb to those two ignorant people.</p>

<p>Great Story infinity2008! Can't wait to share with my D entering H this fall (and looking for a waitress job now).</p>

<p>LOL! I'm looking for a summer job as a waiter, but hopefully people are nicer where I live. I still do hear bad stories occasionally though.</p>

<p>I don't tell people I'm going to Harvard unless they ask, too. Then, I just answer Harvard kinda shyly, and when they say something congratulatory, I say something like, "Ya, I'm really fortunate!" or "I'm so excited for the opportunity!"</p>

<p>Thanks for the laugh infinity2008! Your daughters response was an exemplary one!
I am feeling a sense of apprehension in reference to saying "Harvard" when someone asks my where my son will be attending.<br>
My son definitely does not believe he is better or smarter than anyone simply because he was given the opportunity to attend at Harvard. I would say he feels privileged to have this opportunity to experience all that Harvard will offer him.
I am going to try my best to respond to the inquiry as to where he will be attending with great pride in knowing that my son worked diligently the past 13 years. I believe that know matter what college my son chose to except at, I would respond with the same great pride!
They deserve to be proud of themselves, they've committed themselves to their academic; extra curricular successes.</p>

<p>As a parent of a daughter not attending an Ivy next year, but knowing how difficult the entire application process was and how competitive it all is, I would tell you to say it proudly. It's quite an accomplishment to have been accepted at Harvard.</p>

<p>LOL that's funny, I wonder how much tip they decided to leave after that</p>

<p>just drop the H bomb like a big fat WMD
you have the right to
haha...
too bad I didn't get in... (yet?)</p>

<p>I can't recall what they left for a tip but I don't think that was important to her at the time, just putting them in their place was satisfying for my daughter. As I told her, some people just have no class!! </p>

<p>So for all you current admitted students, congratulations and enjoy your 4 years. Time goes by so fast. Yes, Harvard is an amazing place but there are equally amazing places out there. Admissions is a crapshoot and you will be happy wherever you make your home for the next 4 years. Be proud of where you spend your next 4 years!!</p>

<p>It can be a little awkward because you don't want people thinking that your being prideful. I see lot's of parents at my son's high school wearing all the "garb" from their accepted schools. It's ok to wear UCLA shirts or USC shirts, but as soon someone shows up with an Ivy shirt then people look at them as if they are bragging. Strange stuff! It's nice to be able to let this out on this thread.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Admissions is a crapshoot

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Not necessarily...</p>

<p>This is hilarious... WHO CARES?! You got into Harvard! Lmao.</p>

<p>just saying 'i'm going to harvard' out of the blue can sound like you're bragging to some people even though i don't consider it to be. if they ask and you say 'harvard' nothing about that is bragging. i tend to follow the Ole Miss rule. your references to harvard should be the same as any student that goes to Ole Miss referring to Ole Miss. If Ole Miss kids can wear a Ole Miss hat, then so can you. If Ole Miss kids can be happy about going to Ole Miss, so can you.</p>

<p>good point token89. That's exactly what my son does.</p>

<p>Who cares what other people think?? You probably worked your butt off to get into Harvard---be PROUD of it. </p>

<p>You don't have to go up to every single person you see and tell them, but if they ask you, just say you're going to Harvard. If they have an attitude about it, remind them that they asked you and you worked really hard to get in.</p>

<p>Depends on who's asking. To be honest though, it would be weird telling a casual acquaintance that you're going to be to attending Harvard. It just brings up stereotypes that you really don't want to be a part of. I would probably just say, "a small school in Cambridge, you probably haven't heard of it, but its nice and I'm happy to be there."</p>