<p>We just got back from a visit to a couple of schools, one of which was Harvard. While the facilities, academics, etc. etc. were extremely impressive, we found the place kinda cold (and not the temperature). For example, the tour guide went on about freshman dining being a great experience. We tried to visit Annenberg but not only could we not see it, but some lady shooed us away like we were homeless. We heard repeatedly about the great library system, but were denied entry when we tried to visit. And it wasn't just that we couldn't see a couple of things, the general vibe from those we came in contact with was kind of offish, like we're Harvard and don't really care if you come or not. Is it just us or have others felt the same? And what do students or alums think? Most schools seem to really work to make you interested. Thanks, still interested but questioning.</p>
<p>Harvard gets so many tourists and visitors they'd get overwhelmed if they let everyone in everywhere. The kids deserve some privacy. They don't need to sell themselves like many other colleges. They could fill their classrooms with fabulous prospects several times over.</p>
<p>I have to disagree, but my experience may be different because I know a couple of people at Harvard so this gave me an "in." When I went I did eat at Annenberg and attended classes with no problem. All of the students I met were nice and none condescended. I am not surprised that you couldn't get in to many places without students giving you entrance since this is meant for protection and occurs at many schools. However, I am sure if you asked a couple students they would of let you in. I will agree that Harvard doesn't try to "recruit" you as much as other schools do. There is a noticeable difference when dealing with adcoms from the top tier universities and ones only slightly below. This is not an inherently bad thing, maybe it shows they care more about the actual students and feel that the university has enough ways to pull in students that they shouldn't have to.</p>
<p>I have to agree with mathmom and ras22. I graduated last year and can attest that there is a constant barrage of tourists at the school, particularly in the Yard. The crowds would frequently obstruct our paths as we tried to get to class, stop us to request directions, and ask us to take pictures for them. Some more odd requests included one of my friends having a tourist ask to take a picture of her (so she could show her friends that she met a Harvard person), and another friend of mine having a couple she'd never met ask if they could go to class with her. And this is just outside in the Yard! </p>
<p>I'm not complaining, we all found all the attention simultaneously humbling and hilarious ... and okay, maybe annoying if we were late for class or something. So we definitely appreciate the administration taking steps to allow us to eat in peace (Annenberg) and study uninterrupted (the libraries). Surely you wouldn't want people chattering and taking pictures of you and asking questions while you were having your morning waffles, or poring over your economics books? </p>
<p>I think the school tries to strike a balance when it comes to persuading people to apply and attend. For tourists and potential applicants, obviously they can't give you full access because that would overwhelm the university and students. But for admitted students, rest assured the the administration and the students pull out all the stops: The libraries, dining halls, classes, and our houses are wide open to help people make their decision. I think that's the best way to handle it.</p>
<p>I strongly suspect that Harvard students would prefer to eat their meals in peace, and not under the gaze of the hundreds of visitors who come every day.
Annenberg</a> Hall</p>
<p>I also suspect they would not like to do their studying under the gaze of tourists, nor would librarians appreciate hundreds of visitors walking through libraries.</p>
<p>For a picture of the inside of the Main Reading Room in Widener Libary (the largest, but one of about 80+ libraries at Harvard)
Harvard</a> University - Committee On African Studies - African Resources</p>
<p>Wherever my S visited, he has been able to sit in on classes and talk to profs.</p>
<p>My experience is that the College is very accommodating for visits set up in advance. It's the spontaneous visitors dropping in off the street who they try to corral. You may have also noticed that there are no benches around the Old Yard. If there were, walking through the Yard would be like living in a fishbowl.</p>
<p>I know I shouldn't judge on the few people who guided me around, but all of them were dull as dirt, and one was a sorority girl, which annoyed me in itself. But maybe I was just in a bad mood because it was soooo cold! Love Cambridge, though.</p>
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For example, the tour guide went on about freshman dining being a great experience. We tried to visit Annenberg but not only could we not see it, but some lady shooed us away like we were homeless.
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<p>haha i heard about you guys! and congrats you have just met domna =]
There is a no visitors policy for Annenberg, Widener, and a lot of other buildings b/c of all the tourists. If you were a student here you wouldn't want tourists everywhere you were either. Some kids on the first floor even have tourists try to peek inside their dorm windows...now that's just creepy + invasive.</p>
<p>My friends on the bottom floor of our yard dorm have people try and look into their windows.... just weird. </p>
<p>But ya, they definitely chase people out of Annenberg and the libraries. Which may seem very harsh as a tourist, but is much appreciated as a student. Regardless, not a meal goes by in which I don't see a few groups of tourists walk past both sets of signs and into Annenberg. People also routinely try and sneak into the back.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone, I understand the tourist issue and agree you need protection from them. I was obviously asking from the perspective of a prospective student. They should at least explain the policy during the tour and refer people to the website which does have a couple of videos that are helpful. Or, they could offer passes to registered prospects to see some of the facilities that are otherwise off limits such as the libraries. The website does offer the chance to dine with students, but when we asked they clearly said no, not sure why the discrepancy. We did get around the Science Center which was good and the guide we had was friendly and informative, another plus. Glad to hear others dont share our impression. Thanks for the pics. </p>
<p>As a side question, as the numbers get even more crazy, it seems very risky to forgo the chance and benefit of ED at other top schools to apply reg decision at Harvard or Princeton. The overall admit rate is 7 9%, but if you arent an athlete, URM or hooked in some other way, isnt it just 3 4%? It seems too much of a lottery and the benefit isnt worth the risk in my mind. Thoughts?</p>
<p>Nickcc,
Would having seen the inside of Annenberg or Widener made a difference in your decision to apply? I think you should rest assured that the dining halls and libraries at Harvard are more than adequate for your needs, should you choose to attend. And if you are admitted, you will have the opportunity to visit overnight in April, prior to making your final decision.</p>
<p>I did visit Harvard, but I had several friends who did that described experiences similar to yours. One decided not to apply there based on the reception that they received.</p>
<p>Nickcc, your list should include schools that you're willing (and would love) to go to. Thus it shouldn't matter if you got into HP or not because you would be willing to go to your safeties.</p>
<p>Being a tour guide, one of the most painful things is often denying everyone the ability to see all the great places and resources that Harvard offers. Whether it be a dorm room, a dining hall, a library, or a classroom (though you could def sneak into the Science Center), we are stuck with privacy and safety concerns. Though, a prospective student can always visit Harvard during their senior year and are able to get a look at all of these great places.</p>
<p>Our visit to campus had everything to do with my daughter's decision not to apply. I am sure that Harvard is wonderful and that if she had applied and been accepted it would have been fantastic, but she just could not get past the visit. As NickCC described, "cold"...really treated as a tourist not a perspective student. Every individual we met was not friendly, from the admissions rep to the student that talked to us to the tour guide. Maybe a bad day, but it was the worst visit we had in the process. Over the course of two years we visited: Dartmouth, Duke, UNC, UVA, Princeton, Yale, Brown, Cornell, Notre Dame, Boston College, BU, Williams, Amherst, Middlebury, Cambridge, Stanford and the University of Michigan. Harvard by far was the worst experience in terms of a "info session" visit. Cold, don't care about prospects was our conclusion. It is a shame because I really believe that Harvard is extraordinary. This is not Harvard bashing as I am sure that the actual experience is that the students are very friendly once you are "one of them."</p>
<p>if only 27000 or so more people had made that same decision, then i might have an inkling of hope of getting in ;)</p>
<p>Goodluck danr74, Harvard appears to be a wonderful place to attend school, I hope you get in! I was just supporting the OP that "he/she was not the only one" to have this experience.</p>
<p>yeah...college is all about whats the best fit for you anyways. you can get basically the same great education at any of the top-tier schools, so when deciding where to apply/attend one has to find the one that fits their needs. i hope wherever your daughter ends up she has a great college experience</p>
<p>danr74, You're right about that! "To each his own". Again best wishes. I used to live in Pittsford on Jefferson Rd...loved it.</p>
<p>I actually had a wonderful experience when I visited Harvard, and it was the reason I chose to apply (previously hadn't really planned on it, since my chances are nil and, well, accusations of being a prestige-ho seemed inevitable). But the visit was lovely and the students were some of the nicest people I'd ever met. I almost wish more peeps had negative experiences though; it would boost my chances! But, alas. ;)</p>