<p>Hmmmm. Good questions.</p>
<p>1) Only some students. That can be found anywhere. On the whole, though, I have found Harvard students to be the least self-centered, most caring, generous people I have ever known. But, yes, some people here are ---holes. They are easily avoidable because they are outnumbered. </p>
<p>2) I don't think it's possible to achieve a 3.8 at many colleges without putting in some serious work for it, depending on what you're studying; that's not specific to Harvard, in my opinion. As far as being competitive--some students certainly are. I would not necessarily associate living in the library with being competitive, though, because many Harvard students simply want/choose/like to work hard. That does not necessarily presume a desire to achieve at a higher level than anyone else, so much as it shows a desire to do as well as they can on their own terms. It'd probably be more fair to say that Harvard students are, on the whole, very self-motivated over-achievers. </p>
<p>But, yes, to be fair, some students here are pretty academically competitive. I wouldn't let it pose any problems for you, though, because levels of motivation here vary.</p>
<p>3) There's a social life. Is it a party school? No -- would you want it to be? There are all kinds of parties here, from the small wine/cheese/Mozart gatherings in your friend's room, to the sweaty dance parties in some stranger's room where it's dark and people are humping against walls, to the parties thrown by clubs in dance halls that are often alcohol-free (but they also often sponsor fun pre-game events . . . ), etc. etc. etc. It all depends on what you want.</p>
<p>As far as parties closing early, I think the better statement is that /Boston/ closes early. Parties shutting down on campus have more to do with where the school is located, in my opinion, than with Harvard in particular. But when we say parties shut down early, it really means LARGE parties. Small gatherings in your room with close friends can last until whenever, as long as you aren't being loud or belligerent. No one will bother you if you're not posing a problem to your neighbors. </p>
<p>4) Harvard students aren't ugly. Some are actually gorgeous. Others . . . well, depends on what you want. Some students are antisocial, but I couldn't tell you if they're dirty or not because I never see them. =) Don't hang around the science center, and you should be fine. (Kidding.) If you're not satisfied with students on campus, though I think you will be because Harvard is pretty attractive overall, there are a ton of colleges in the Boston/Cambridge area--close enough for you to prowl around and find someone off-campus, if it means that much to you.</p>
<p>So, some blanket statements: Harvard students are, overall, socially adjusted people who bathe, brush their teeth, love their mothers, help old ladies cross the street, work hard, but (most empathically) can play hard when they want to. Of course there are people who don't do these things. If this weren't true, the admissions office would be failing at accepting the "most diverse, talented" group of people it could find, wouldn't it? There's a scene for everyone. Kids that love to party, nerds that love textbooks, sketchy artists that love themselves, poets that don't love anything, etc. -- find your scene, and you'll be happy. </p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>