Five Things To Know About Harvard

August 15, 2012 :: Admissionado Team

Looking for the inside scoop on one of the world’s most prestigious schools? Look no further. Here are five things that help make Harvard… Harvard.

1. Freshman Advising Program: Each freshman is assigned to a Freshman Advisor—basically, an upperclassman who can “tell it like it is.” These advisors go through a rigorous application and interview process before being selected, and are given funds by the college to host ice cream parties or holiday gift swaps—you name it. It’s a unique mentorship program.
2. The Yard: It’s where all the freshman dorms are located (with three exceptions), and where the freshman dining hall, Annenberg—think “Great Hall” in Harry Potter—is located. You’re at the center of it all, and your separate from the upperclassmen. Through mere constant contact, you can help to get to know your class and form a sense of community.
3. Widener: Harvard hosts the world’s largest university library system…by far. And the centerpiece of this system is Widener Library. Here you can find anything from Charles Dickens’ walking stick (not just books!) to Abigail Adams’ letters to every season of 90210—not to mention all the online databases to which you will have access by virtue of your Harvard affiliation. And if you’re intimidated by Widener and it’s seemingly unending labyrinth of stacks, you can always head on over to Lamont—the undergrad library—fully equipped with a café and always certain to have at least one person sleeping in a chair at 4am during finals period.
4. Five-Year Dual Degree Program in Music: If you’re the next Beethoven or John Mayer, you might want to check out this cool opportunity. For the first three years, students pursue an undergrad degree at Harvard while taking studio instruction at the New England Conservatory. In the fourth year, they complete their requirements for Harvard and begin their Master of Music requirements, which will be completed over the next year.
5. Shopping Period: Not sure what you want to major in? Not sure even what classes you want to take? Harvard’s got the answer: shop around! For the first ten days of each semester, students get to walk in and out of classes at their will, getting a sense of the teacher, teaching style, size of class, and workload. Never fear facing, “I didn’t know what I was getting into.” You have plenty of time to figure it out.

Got more questions? Need some stats about the programs? Here’s even more about Harvard.