Why Harvard?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>seasquirrel, that's about as good a description of Harvard as I've read. Please check out my post on the LAC's vs. universities thread for my first-hand take on what it's like to be an undergrad at each kind of school.</p>

<p>Dotty, post #9 is almost right. The figure isn't 100%; its more like 99%. Here's how the system works:</p>

<p>ALL Harvard College courses will be taught by faculty members, with three exceptions where that is not guaranteed:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Writing classes. A portion of these will be taught by published authors who are adjuncts rather than faculty.</p></li>
<li><p>Introductory language classes. It is Harvard policy that all such classes be taught by native speakers. If there are not enough native speakers among the literature faculty in a particular language department, non-faculty native speakers will be specially hired to teach these classes.</p></li>
<li><p>High school-level math classes. If you need to take calc or below before you are ready for college math, you may have a teaching fellow rather than a professor. This is in order to keep those classes tiny (usually max of 12 students).</p></li>
</ol>

<p>(If you're wondering where I got my info, I'm a former Harvard tour guide.)</p>

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<p>Sleepless nights because I was too busy partying with my friends to get my paper done on time, sure. Fierce competition, never, not in the academic scene. That's just not how it works there. Everyone shares notes, forms study groups, etc., and no one EVER talks about their grades; that's completely taboo. So there's not really any way to compete with anyone but yourself.</p>

<p>There is a fair amount of competition in extracurriculars; if you want to get into the best singing group, or become editor-in-chief of the Crimson, or something like that, there will be tough competition to get there.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the info, Hanna (my name's Hannah too!)...I'm getting more and more excited about Harvard! I'll be sure to check out your thread.</p>

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<p>Hmm.. my daughter took Introductory Latin at Harvard. I had no idea that Cicero or other native speakers were still available to teach. I guess this explains a lot...
;-)</p>

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<p>That explains that at the upcoming papal conclave, they will all be speaking Latin and will still need translators. :) My French-accented Latin does not sound like my S's American-accented Latin.</p>

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<p>Thanks Hannah.</p>