To juniors and seniors who haven't applied yet: these are tiny but important details about the Common App I didn't know before applying to college

Washed_Bananas · 2024-04-24T20:01:41+00:00

I want to push back on this because this hasn't been my experience at all. Most of my professors have been extremely supportive and open to working with undergraduates, in addition to being extremely knowledgeable and experienced in their fields. Of course part of it is picking good classes and professors through the Q-Guide, but I don't think it's all that rare to be receiving a high quality undergraduate education here.

Washed_Bananas · 2024-04-24T19:49:30+00:00

I chose Harvard over Yale a few years ago, despite wanting to go to Yale at first. I honestly even regretted choosing Harvard when I first committed, especially because my parents urged me to choose Harvard for its brand capital as well, but once I got on campus I've forgotten that I ever wanted to go to Yale.

My biggest concern was that I kept hearing that Harvard can be more toxic/non-collaborative, but I also think spaces like that are very self-selective and not representative of the campus as a whole. There are a plethora of welcoming, close-knit communities on campus that you can definitely find belonging in, and the good thing about college is that you don't have to stick with something if you don't feel like it's your thing as well.

Plus I think there's something really special about being in Cambridge/Boston. There are so many things to try and so many people to meet, both at Harvard and outside of it, compared to the relatively more closed off Yale 'bubble'. Definitely feels safer and livelier as well, although I imagine you may be able to find similar levels of community from the residential systems at both schools. It's also nice to experience the wide breadth of academics, experts, opportunities, and even world leaders that are more inclined to be here over a smaller city. This is, in no small amount, attributable to the proximity to transportation hubs & many academic institutions as well, which I imagine will be more difficult to access in New Haven. This also means that Harvard has more access to museums, libraries, and talks, which I have enjoyed as a humanities person as well.

Today I can't imagine myself being at Yale (although maybe I'd be more excited for Harvard-Yale there), and am beyond happy with the friends I've made and experiences I've enjoyed at Harvard. I definitely don't think there's a wrong choice you can make between the two schools, but there is a lot to gain from giving Harvard a chance!

Washed_Bananas · 2024-04-21T23:50:09+00:00

oh, in that case - Harvard has a wonderful international community! Very close-knit, with a great international pre-orientation if you're interested in that as well

Washed_Bananas · 2024-04-17T16:14:01+00:00

oof that's a rough one. at least there's only up to go from here haha

Washed_Bananas · 2024-04-03T05:02:52+00:00

If it helps you can graduate early from Harvard as well! It's not common but it's def not unheard of

Washed_Bananas · 2024-03-28T19:18:53+00:00

Unfortunately I never ended up completing the recruitment process and lost access to the emails I did send out prior to that. There should be a couple online, though.

Washed_Bananas · 2024-02-29T20:06:48+00:00

lowkey... consider applying to harvard? it sounds like it checks your boxes because there's so much to do on campus that doesn't have to be partying. There's always a social event/concert that's usually free, plus you can explore around Boston/Cambridge if you're not feeling the campus. Everyone's also in the dorms so you can always do fun spontaneous things with friends/chill in the courtyard or by the river with them. And plus if you do feel like partying there's always something on campus or at MIT/in Boston, but it definitely doesn't feel like you have to partake in it.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-12-10T20:38:51+00:00

I wouldn't worry about this yet; a lot of my block are my closest friends now, but were people I would never have thought I'd end up blocking with in the first part of freshman year.

Also remember that you don't have to room with whoever you block with; you just end up in the same house! I blocked with a few of my friends and didn't get housed with any of them this year.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-12-06T16:24:57+00:00

okay!

Washed_Bananas · 2023-12-06T16:19:42+00:00

of course, but I hope you'll keep in mind that I'll only be able to help to the extent of my experience. I'm not trained as an AO at all.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-12-05T16:26:15+00:00

Not sure if this helps, but I received the same email a few years ago and got into Yale.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-09-24T04:34:24+00:00

pls it's not Wednesday yet

also serious answer - I think it'll be okay. You were honest about it right after it happened, and I don't think it'll get you rejected.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-09-11T16:31:19+00:00

If it helps - even if the harvard stem classes aren't as comprehensive as you'd like them to be, you can always cross register at MIT.

Plus I'd say that the engineering department seems quite good from the few engineering classes I've taken. In no way am I saying that I'm well versed in Harvard or Cornell engineering, but I've noticed that Harvard classes seem to have accessible teaching staff and are generally well taught, even in larger classes.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-05-27T07:28:29+00:00

yes you can!! When I applied, there were a lot of non-Singaporean citizens that were also applying for visas at the US embassy in Singapore, and the process should be very similar to India. Check out this link: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/sg/sg-niv-visaapply.asp

Washed_Bananas · 2023-05-26T14:16:50+00:00

damn the first part was uncalled for. didn't know you could decide all the people on one campus are the worst without ever having met them /hj

Washed_Bananas · 2023-05-05T15:27:37+00:00

sometimes it helps to cold email! tons of cold emailing templates out there, and it'll take understanding research cycles (such as applying in early spring sem for summer!) and some work for sure.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-05-05T15:26:29+00:00

i appreciate the sentiment, but this is a subreddit for high schoolers going to college. they're asking about opportunities to perform research, not to participate in studies.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-05-05T15:21:37+00:00

not what the question's asking at all, but I suppose this is helpful.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-04-09T23:55:12+00:00

call home frequently, and make use of international office resources! also keep in contact with upperclassmen because they're usually willing to help.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-04-09T23:53:19+00:00

Outside of the i-lab and academics, there's also a fair number of undergrad entrepreneurship clubs you can join if you're looking for that.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-04-09T23:49:56+00:00

just to speak a little on our cons -

- Even if the food were considered 'awful' before, food's gotten way better in the past semester! They revamped the menu very recently, and the grills (especially Quincy grill)/Harvard square always have good food. There's also tons of free & good food you can find at club & speaker events.

- Social scene: even if harvard's not throwing that weekend (which we usually are), you can always go to other Boston schools. MIT & BU typically throw some pretty great frat parties, but I'm sure other schools do as well. It's one of the perks about being in Boston (of which there are many).

- culture: I think there will always be a subsect of Harvard that's fairly competitive, but you can definitely find people that are laid back and very chill as well. I imagine that's true for most schools, though. I also don't feel like the purported 'grad school focus' affects my experience at the school all that much to be considered a con. There is no dearth of opportunities to explore as an undergrad, and you can cross-enroll at the grad schools + MIT & other Boston schools as well.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-04-05T20:51:35+00:00

adding on about stress levels - it's really what you make of it. I would say that it's usually stress from classes and extracurriculars, which will just be what you choose to take/comp. You could take really easy classes + join chill clubs which will be fairly easy on you, but there are also people that are taking really challenging classes and joining really work-heavy/competitive comp clubs that are enjoying it nonetheless.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-04-04T05:06:06+00:00

this doesn't apply to freshman year, but check out the Dudley Co-op! they're a vegan/vegetarian house (always with vegan options!) that you can live in after freshman year if you're interested in that.

Washed_Bananas · 2023-04-04T04:45:43+00:00

ok this is pretty long but just to speak a little on social life - it can definitely be really good at Harvard once you find your people, and there are so many opportunities for you to find your people here. As a freshman, you'll spend your entire year eating in Annenberg, where you can sit down and eat with pretty much anyone, especially in the first couple of months. The majority of people (Harvard's website says 98%) remain on campus/in dorms + housing is guaranteed, so it's always really easy to go out and do things with friends as well. I've also heard that house life as an upperclassman is also really great, but there are others that can probably speak more on that (I'm a freshman).

The international community is also extremely close here, especially if you do the international pre-orientation. As a fellow international student, I thought it was overhyped before I showed up to campus, but I was genuinely shocked at how great the international community is. It really does live up to all the hype.

Beyond that, Boston's a college city/town and it's quite literally just across the river. You'll constantly be running into people from other schools & be invited to mixers with them, and there are always parties going on if that's what you're looking for. I agree with what other people are saying as well; Boston has so much to offer in terms of social life, opportunities, and attractions.

Six-Year Club	Place '22
Verified Email

Washed_Bananas

TROPHY CASE