<p>First I’d confirm that the atmosphere is not cutthroat AT ALL. It would be unthinkable for students to sabotage others- students regularly work together on problem sets and help each other with papers. (That’s not to say it’s not difficult and intense, it’s just that students never extend their academic drive to social interactions).</p>
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<p>This is a myth that is even more baseless- the vast majority of students at Harvard are normal and social. There are a few “nerdy types,” along with a few jock types, preppy types, goth types, hippie types, just like any normal college (the diversity is actually astounding). But the majority of kids are regular, social, some into sports, some into partying, and most just into relaxing.</p>
<p>I’d also note that nerds, (by definition), tend to keep to themselves, so you don’t interact with that many of them. The vast majority of students you run into are very socially normal. This is true, actually, of almost any school.</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ll see this when you visit the campus.</p>
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<p>I’ve used “Harvardians,” but only humorously. :)</p>