<p>Harvard was a school that I had dismissed as a school for me. After visit, I was wrong, really really wrong! It is a beautiful school and the people are great. No elitist feeling, and the sense of community is wonderful. I recommend it for all!</p>
<p>hmmmm no elitist feeling? many people say exactly the opposite...</p>
<p>After dropping off my D there, I described it to my friends as "Disneyland for college students."</p>
<p>"hmmmm no elitist feeling? many people say exactly the opposite..."</p>
<p>"Many people" who have never stayed at Harvard for more than a day or two.</p>
<p>lol disneyland for Michael too! I was never a big fan of Disneyland, but Harvard can do one better than spinning teacups and a big mountain. They have a big memorial tower, and one of the most, if not the best, residential system in the country. It seriously sounded like Hogwarts! lol</p>
<p>"Disneyland for college students" - How apt!</p>
<p>"hmmmm no elitist feeling? many people say exactly the opposite..."</p>
<p>This statement could not be more false. I'm a freshman here, and I've met at most a handful of people who were slightly arrogant, if even that. Most people here are very accomplished yet extremely humble. I've met IOI medalists, USAMO winners, Presidential scholars without even knowing about their accomplishments until I heard from someone else.</p>
<p>I have to say it felt pretty elitist when I visited. During the info session, the officers sat on a stage above the audience and if a question arose about the curriculum, they answered by saying something along the lines of, "at Harvard we do it this way and we are one of the best universities in the world so you will probably want to do it this way." Very unfortunate.</p>
<p>I certainly didn't hear anyone say that at the admissions session that I attended.</p>
<p>Nor did I. On top of that, the curriculum is being overhauled, so I wonder how officers could say the current one is so good that students should just accept it! Hmmmm....</p>
<p>i just came back from my official track visit and i didn't get any 'elitist feeling' at all. just by the fact that they're there, everyone is smart. nobody feels the need to boast their accomplishments because everyone has them. most ppl are very down to earth and like to have fun, but at the same time they're really serious about their studies and/or whatever they're involved in extracurricularly.</p>
<p>In the Harvard video, Yo-Yo Ma says, "And the truth of the matter is, everyone is smarter. That is... [a] wonderful thing to accept." I definitely agree with him. Everyone is so intelligent here, that you can't help but be down to earth! :)</p>
<p>Harvard will make you humble in ways that are unimaginable.</p>
<p>I think there will always be some people at any institution that might rub others the wrong way. I based my opinions about a couple of schools on interactions I had with just one person (a receptionist in one case, an admissions officer in another). Now, I would not judge so hastily, but as a 17-year old, it didn't take much to affect how I felt about a place. I think kids today are more knowledgable (at least the ones on cc seem to be), and will give a school more than one chance to make an impression.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>just by the fact that they're there, everyone is smart. nobody feels the need to boast their accomplishments because everyone has them.<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>yes, the way my daughter expresses this is that when people find out she is at Harvard they often want to talk about nothing else. Which is one reason why she really likes to be at Harvard itself. She says "Here everybody got into Harvard - which leaves us free to talk about other things."</p>
<p>Agreed, coureur...it's also the one place in the world where it's totally safe to wear a Harvard T-shirt. :)</p>
<p>And there is a lot of school pride - students wearing Harvard tee shirts, sweat pants, etc. It's nice to see.</p>
<p>and i can't wait until i get my dHa's (hopefully).</p>
<p>My new favorite color - Crimson! I wear my Harvard shirt whenever and wherever I want. Have never had anyone say anyhting bad to me except for a Yalie. My little ones have Harvard hoodies and I'm going to get one for myself this weekend.</p>
<p>Harvard Square is fabulous and we've enjoyed many different restaurants there. I especially like the Alsatian one and the one that is below street level - it has a very cool interior. I think it's called Z-Square.</p>
<p>Love the Alsatian one (Sandrine's). Go if for no other reason than the flatbread.</p>
<p>pinnochio's is a classic.
also fire+ice.</p>