Harvard University Top Questions

Harvard offers an unimaginably large roster of extracurricular activities to choose from. If your interest is not represented by one of these preexisting organizations, you can always establish your own group. In terms of social life, Harvard is working hard to promote college-wide events bringing together people who live on different parts of campus. Parties are confined mostly to the weekends; people can be happy either going to these parties or abstaining from them.

Most people seem to make their best social connection to Harvard through a student organization. There are hundreds of them here, and getting involved in any group is the best way to meet new people and have Friday night plans from day one. Of course, there are also plenty of other social opportunities, as well: "final clubs" (still functioning dining clubs now more interested in drinking, girls, and interesting combinations of the two), House parties and regular dances (including IncestFest, the '90s Dance, and Fête), a handful of off-campus fraternities, and odd events the university occasionally tries to sponsor. There are concerts, shows, poetry readings, and more every weekend, and the Harvard name is able to draw a fantastic list of guest speakers annually. Boston has a social scene of its own, as well. Dating, however, has been said to be elusive on campus, so students looking for college love may look elsewhere.

Harvard has parties, unlike what some people might think. But people here work hard are studying a lot in the library.

our social life happens in the library

I hear people partying a lot, but I prefer not to. I like to think of myself as humorous, occasionally lively, friendly, and mostly easy-going, but I prefer smaller group gatherings without alcohol. For my recreation, I like to breed LIFE (as in plants and small animals). I recently bought a pet snake, but I'm not sure if that's against school rules.

There's an exorbitant number of resume-padding clubs, particularly those related to finance and Asian issues.

Whatever you make of it.

Sports are big, but the most popular things are the Art Museum events--they are really well attended.

Whether you like to drink and party the night away or you like to explore the sights and culture of Boston, ect......there is always something fun whatever your style is.

I'm pretty sure that the Harvard Crimson is the biggest student organization, with something like 700 student editors. More people than that overall participate in athletics though. Phillips Brooks House Association has about 1000 volunteers doing some kind of public service, but it's a lot less cohesive since it's done through about 70 different programs. Fraternities are not important, though the rich Harvard version of finals clubs are important to some people. That said, I've never partied there and they don't really affect me. On a Saturday night not drinking: go to the pub and play pool, see a movie, go to a play, go ice skating downtown. During the day: go to Harvard's art museums (3!), natural history museum or anthropology museum. Athletic events ("The Game" = Harvard-Yale aside) are not well attended.