<p>That’s what the house system is there for. You can have plenty of intellectual (or not-so-intellecutal) conversations with house tutors (many of whom are PhD students in various departments in GSAS and the other grad schools) or with the house masters (which always has, and currently includes several intellectual superstars) who regularly join students during meals. Seriously…stop making an issue of something that isn’t an issue. Harvard is second none when it comes to finding super-smart people in almost every academic discipline to talk with.</p>
<p>Here is a perspective from an actual professor at a leading research institution (as well as an H parent): it is absolutely essential for any aspiring student to log in “face time” with his/her professors if for no other reason than that they would get a better recommendation when they apply for jobs or graduate school. I guarantee it. I often get requests for recommendations from former, or current, students who are complete ciphers to me, even if they did manage to obtain decent grades. Even in upper-level courses it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the best from the merely good, and it is often the best who come to see me the most often. I am always in a better position to give a more personal and heartfelt evaluation if I have seen the student outside of class, the more often the better, and this almost always results in a better recommendation. </p>
<p>It goes without saying that sporting a recommendation from a top professor will ensure that your grad school application will be given serious consideration.</p>
<p>Another reason why students should seek out professors is that the latter can often provide the global perspective that TFs and even postdocs cannot.</p>
<p>Either way, the kid writing this article is an ingrate and is a waste of space:</p>
<p>a) His daddy is “wasting” his money, or</p>
<p>b) Harvard’s financial aid is “wasting” his money (doubtful given the Andover digs, but he may have already been “cut-off” after this article), and</p>
<p>c) Is just taking up space that another would gladly put to better use (a waste of Harvard’s resources).</p>
<p>Criticize your school, sure (a right of passage - INTERNALLY). But, a set of well thought-out improvements is a REQUIREMENT, if one is to be taken seriously! This toad just sits on a rock and complains that HARVARD is an inferior institution of learning . . . in his esteemed opinion. Sounds like the kid does not have much success with the girls.</p>