Harvard University

“Harvard has been everything I could have hoped for and more. The resources available here are unparalleled - from world-class professors who genuinely care about teaching to incredible research opportunities. The house system creates a tight-knit community within a large university.”

“The people you meet here are absolutely incredible. Everyone is passionate about something, and being surrounded by such driven, talented peers pushes you to be better. The extracurricular opportunities are endless - I've been able to pursue interests I never even knew I had.”

“Financial aid here is phenomenal. My family doesn't pay a cent because of their generous aid policy. No loans, just grants. This alone made Harvard more affordable than my state school would have been.”

“The academic freedom is amazing. Shopping week lets you try out classes before committing, and there's so much flexibility in what you can study. I've taken classes in three different schools and my professors have all been accessible and brilliant.”

“The house system is one of the best parts of Harvard. You get assigned to a house sophomore year and it becomes your home. Built-in community, dining hall, study spaces, and house events. It makes a big school feel small.”

“The competitive atmosphere can be really draining. Everyone here was the best at their high school, and now everyone is average or below average. The mental health resources are stretched thin and it can feel like people care more about resume building than genuine learning.”

“Grade inflation is real but so is the stress. Classes are curved and it creates this weird environment where people are friendly but also competing against each other. The pressure to do internships, research, and extracurriculars on top of classes is intense.”

“Some professors are more interested in their research than teaching. I've had classes where the professor clearly didn't want to be there and TAs did all the real teaching. For the price (even with aid) and the name, I expected better instruction across the board.”

“The administration can be frustratingly bureaucratic. Getting things done requires navigating multiple offices and lots of red tape. They talk about student wellness but then pile on requirements and don't always follow through on support.”

“The social scene can feel very exclusive and cliquey. Final clubs still dominate the social hierarchy even though the school supposedly doesn't recognize them. If you're not in certain circles, it can feel isolating. The wealth disparity is also very visible.”