<p>I don't understand why Harvard has such an uncharacteristic reputation in terms of the people.</p>
<p>For the last couple months before I had gotten into Harvard '11, people were trying to tell me that Harvard people were pretentious and stuff like that, which I never really believed, especially because I hadn't really experienced much of that when I had been there before.</p>
<p>But, when I visited Harvard after I was admitted to make sure I wanted to go there, it seemed like everyone there, students and faculty/staff, were the nicest people I had ever met. I mean, I am not one to dwell on this stuff, but I just couldn't get over the outstanding personal qualities that these people had. I definitely understood what you all meant who are current students there that the people make the experience. Maybe my opinion changed because most of the people I had known from Harvard outside of kids who had gotten in from my HS were SSP kids, but I dunno, I was just amazed. The members of the Harvard community are awesome.</p>
<p>It's a shame that some people don't see them that way, or maybe is it because they haven't visited? What do you all think?</p>
<p>I've never met anyone from Harvard who didn't know how to be outwardly very polite. I have known a few, though, that seemed to strenuously avoid having any more than a very quick, superficial conversation with people they prejudged they wouldn't "click" with. I'm not sure whether to be glad they didn't condescend to me/others or to find this sort of behavior repulsive. In any event such people are an unrepresentative minority by far.</p>
<p>There are unpleasant people at every school, of course.</p>
<p>I find most people at Harvard to be quite down-to-earth.</p>
<p>There's a-holes and arrogant people at every school in the world. It's just that the a-hole who graduated from Harvard gives the university a bad name. "Oh look, it's that arrogant prick who thinks he's all that because he graduated from Harvard..."</p>
<p>On the otherhand, someone who graduated from University of Washington is just another annoying person. People could care less that he/she graduated from the Unversity of Washington. (or whatever school)</p>
<p>My daughter likewise was thrilled to be around people who genuinely enjoyed cerebral ping pong. She was thrilled to be commended rather than condemned for providing insite and appropriate answers. The green of envy is a handcuffing experience for young folks with aspirations. The Harvard community, due to its amazing resources, is an incubator for the mind with few limitations for those who want to push the envelop.</p>
<p>....unless they write unfavorable papers on the Isreal lobby in the United States...</p>