Harvard University Top Questions

Harvard is a really tolerant and diverse campus. The students are normally a bit on the dressier side, minus the athletes who are normally seen in their DHAS sweats. I believe most Harvard students are from out of state. I have run into many students from Texas, California, and New Jersey. I believe about 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the students are international students, not of American citizenship.

Some groups I feel are cliquish and there is some sense I feel of posing within the International Community between 1st and 2nd generation (that is, (insert country)-Americans try to be more (insert country) than those actually from it) and while I feel that the socio-economic profile of Harvard is diversifying, those from less than stellar families are still in the vast minority here.

Given the diversity of backgrounds among Harvard's student population, I firmly believe that anyone will be able to find his or her niche at Harvard. In general, students tend to become friends with housemates and with those holding similar academic or extracurricular interests. Although it is true that many Harvard students have had privileged upbringings, students with limited financial means can also have vibrant, satisfactory social lives (through the house, etc). The majority of the student population is politically left-leaning; though Harvard is not a bastion of conservatism, there is certainly a vocal and active coalition of right-leaning students on campus.

Harvard's student body comes from all over the world, and that's a wonderful thing. Politically, students are largely liberal, though not necessarily as "godless" as you may have heard. The best thing about people here is that, whatever their persuasion, they're usually prepared to explain it to you and then listen to your own point of view with an open mind. Even conservatives can find a place at Harvard, though it may be hard to believe! You'll find that students here are very academic and well-informed on infinite topics of conversation, sometimes have trouble thinking beyond the wealthy/Harvard bubble, want to get to know you -or- want to move their sleeping bag into the library, and have probably traveled someplace that you've never been. Students do talk about job prospects, but rarely about grades (that is, more than generally) or family income.

Harvard students care too much about topics. They often stage protests are not helpful and I think they are pointless.

we have too few asians

For my club, I have to fill up the condom boxes at my house, Dunster. Sounds funny, but we do a lot of other cool stuff like hosting the health event for Harvard students. It taught them about skincare, good eating habits, etc. Badminton club is also really fun; there are a lot of cool clubs here.

There's a place for everyone. If you don't belong to anything, you probably don't go to this school.

Talented, diverse, and brilliant.

Diversity is big on campus; however diversity also, at least here, means that everyone is included in everything. For example, a Black Student Association event often has many asian, white, hispanic, and other ethnic groups present. There is a big emphasis on things being chill, and not too "into themselves," when it comes to the student body. Finals clubs are the only exception.

Diverse and Passionate......however a slight majority are still study-a-holics and stress themselves out (most stress here is self inflicted....no one here wants you to fail).

Harvard is full of high-powered people. It's a very "sink or swim" kind of place. If you're not independent/self-directed, it will take a lot more work to thrive (though it's still possible). If you are though, you have all the world's resources - grants, professors, friends to bounce ideas off of - at your finger tips. Most students wear polo shirts and jeans to class, a few wear sweatpants. The dining hall is fairly segregated by race (this is most obvious in the freshman dining hall). Most students are liberal, but the membership of the Harvard Dems and GOP are about equal (because right-leaning students are much more likely to affiliate)

extremely smart

Lots of smart people, lots of not so smart people. It's a mixed bag.

Students do interact, but seldom outside extracurricular and blocking groups. But most people are generally friendly and courteous. I would say student population is VERY DIVERSE (in everything ranging from political view to personality) except financial background.

Harvard's generous financial aid policy has made it possible to have a financially diverse demography. Most students are politically aware, since Econ and Gov. are very big concentrations here. Students who are really really really into just studying will feel out of place at Harvard (really, they belong to MIT).

Pretty diverse.

The student body is very diverse, but everyone speaks English very well and has a niche of friends.

Nice people. Diverse. Sincere. Some crazy, some impossibly talented. Some rich, some poor. Marginal differences when compared to any other university i suspect.

Harvard is good in racial isues because it includes a good deal of black students. Students here do not seem to lack the understanding that everyone is created equal and for teh few who do not know that yet, they will soon. Life is great for me as a student and I am looking forwrad to say teh same as a medical student next year at HMS.