<p>Hi everyone! I'm currently making that infamous Harvard vs. Yale decision, and though almost every part of me screams Harvard, I hesitate mainly because various people comment that the social scenes at the two schools are "drastically different."</p>
<p>But never having attended either college, I don't actually know what that means. So if any current/former students would be willing to tell me about their own Harvard social experience, or if really anyone else has any insight, I would be so appreciative.</p>
<p>I definitely want to know if it's possible to be normal without heavy-partying every weekend, if students are kind to one another in general, and whether students are able to find a balance between pursuing their own ambitions and making friends/having fun. But please feel free to disregard theese questions and just share any anecdotes you may have :)</p>
<p>My perspective is of one who went to H ('10) but also dated someone for a few months from Y. From my experiences (obviously, far more at H), I found the social dynamics to be considerably similar. Essentially, the weekends are used to take much needed breaks: it’s not all about the work. In general, I found people to be closet ambitious achievers, and then, poof, weeks later, you realize they won a Hoopes. At both, there is a great spectrum of partying - anywhere from staying-in to going out every night. Judgments of others are minimal. </p>
<p>The one thing I will admit Yale does notably better is the game. </p>
<p>Both are great schools. I remember it being a very tough (and obviously fortunate) decision. Good luck!</p>
<p>Both have all sorts-- some party heavily but, given the work load, the amount is pretty low, all-in-all, most hang out, go out with friends, etc…some are Lamonsters… Harvard are very much laissez faire with each other.</p>
<p>Current junior here. Harvard has plenty of people who are shwaisted all weekend every weekend, plenty of people who never party, and plenty of (read: most) people who are something in between. You won’t have a hard time finding people like you, whatever that happens to be.</p>
<p>I haven’t found Harvard students to be competitive, cuthroat, etc. I’ve found most to be generally nice people and many are self-effacing. But they also tend to do amazing things outside of class, during their summers, during gap years, etc and quite often talk about them such that it’s not uncommon to hear “What are your plans for the summer?” in October. I’ve found this to be very valuable because it’s pushed me to explore different fields and activities and go beyond my comfort zone. And I can’t think of many downsides to have a culture of “doing things.”</p>