<p>Hi,
So I'm planning to transfer from UPenn to Harvard for the Spring '07 term. Unfortunately, I am still uncertain exactly what it is that I'd like to study. I was wondering how friendly and accomodating the atmosphere is at Harvard for students who are still unsure what they want to do. From what I hear, most Harvard students are very independent, driven, and directed, and know what they wish to accomplish. I'm still looking for some direction. How is the advising system? Will I have help finding my niche and what I should study and pursue? I do have some idea, but I'm far from sold on anything. How does the school help students figure out what to do with their lives?
THanks a lot.</p>
<p>For freshmen, Harvard offers plenty of advising and lots of time to sample different majors. It's much tougher for a transfer. You really need to hit the ground running. If you want to graduate within 8 semesters, you really need to pick a major going in; the last chance to change it will probably be September of your junior year. I would suggest using this summer to explore different fields; go to a university bookstore and start reading some texts in the fields you're considering. Look at course syllabi online. Do whatever you can to educate yourself so that you can make an informed decision when you have to narrow it down.</p>
<p>Yeah, as a Harvard transfer myself (from Northwestern junior year), I'd say that the advising is not nearly as easy to find or as user-friendly as it is at some other campuses. It's there if you look for it; you might just have to explore more than you ordinarily would.</p>
<p>A number of majors have both sophomore and junior tutorials. . . full-year classes (as I recall) that are required for all majors. I planned to major in Literature but ended up changing my mind because I would have taken almost nothing but tutorials and other requirements (not like electives within the major; like totally predetermined coursework) as a junior.</p>
<p>Upside is, Harvard is a great place to explore. It's hard to go wrong, because there are a lot of excellent classes. </p>
<p>I'd also say that I made a mistake by having a strongly preconceived idea about what I wanted to major in, just because the culture of the campus and the restrictions imposed on me by the department ended up being unattractive, and I'm not sure I could have predicted that ahead of time. Ultimately, I fell into the Creative Writing program via the English department. . . a tremendously beneficial and influential experience.</p>
<p>Find students in the fields you are considering. Ask them lots of questions. Do this as soon as possible. Your House (Harvard-speak for dorm) will have advisors for different majors and programs of study. Seek out those advisors and talk to them; they can tell you what different majors are like. And, of course, make good use of the shopping period!</p>
<p>Psh, I don't know too many people who /really/ know what they want to study, or who are ready to commit themselves to one thing, which is why it's easy to switch concentrations and do things of that nature.</p>
<p>Khanwalkar, why are you transfering out of UPenn? Just wondering.</p>