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College
Harvard University
#3 in Best Colleges in America
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • 4 Year
  • Cambridge, MA
  • 659 reviews
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Harvard University Campus Life

Housing

Dorms
A
Based on housing cost, capacity, student reviews and additional factors.
On-Campus Housing Available
Yes
Freshmen Required to Live on Campus
Yes
Freshmen Live On-Campus
100%
Undergrads in College Housing
98%
Average Housing Cost
$10,300/ year
Poll
80%
of students say overall dorm quality is great.51 responses
Poll
82%
of students say the dorms' social atmosphere is great.84 responses

Food

Campus Food
B+
Based on meal plan cost and student reviews on the food.
Meal Plan Available
Yes
Average Meal Plan Cost
$6,360/ year
Poll
What are the best food options on campus?
Based on 73 responses
Report
  • Anywhere in Harvard Square
    38%
  • Upperclassman dining halls
    34%
  • Annenberg
    14%
  • Just not the 'Berg ;-(
    7%
  • Mather House
    3%
  • Free food at sporting events
    1%
  • Hillel
    1%
70%
of students highly rate the dining facilities.57 responses

Campus Quality

Campus
A
Based on quality of housing, food services, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Life
A+
Based on campus diversity, social scene, student reviews, and additional factors.
Poll
What is your overall opinion of your school and the campus community?
Based on 47 responses
  • I love everything about my school and have a lot of campus pride.
    55%
  • I like mostly everything about my school, but there are some things I wish were different.
    36%
  • The school community is okay-we're all just here for an education, nothing more.
    2%
  • I hate my school and have no school spirit.
    6%

Safety

Safety
B
Based on crimes on campus, local area crime rates, and student reviews.
Poll
94%
of students say they feel extremely safe and secure on campus.62 responses
Poll
How does peer pressure affect students' use of drugs and alcohol?
Based on 37 responses
  • You can have a great social life without drugs or alcohol.
    38%
  • Most people partake in some form, but no one treats you differently if you don't.
    38%
  • You'll definitely feel a little awkward if you don't drink.
    14%
  • If you don't partake, you're left out.
    11%
Poll
How visible are the campus police on campus?
Based on 52 responses
  • Extremely present and willing to assist students.
    37%
  • There if you need them but not overbearing.
    52%
  • Not very visible.
    6%
  • We have campus police?
    6%

Sports

Poll
How popular are varsity sports on campus?
Based on 72 responses
  • Almost everything on campus revolves around them.
    7%
  • Varsity sports are a big part of campus life.
    22%
  • Varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.
    53%
  • No one pays attention to varsity sports.
    18%
Men's Varsity Sports
Golf, Volleyball, Fencing, Skiing, Tennis, Basketball, Sailing, Squash, Water Polo, Wrestling, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Baseball, Swimming and Diving, Lacrosse, Football, Rowing, All Track Combined
Women's Varsity Sports
Golf, Tennis, Fencing, Skiing, Squash, Volleyball, Water Polo, Basketball, Sailing, Softball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Other Sports, Swimming and Diving, Rowing, All Track Combined

Clubs & Activities

Clubs Offered
Campus Ministries, Dance, Drama/Theater, International Student Organizations, Literary Magazine, Model UN, Radio Station, Student Government, Newspaper, Film Society, Television Station, Yearbook
Music
Choral Groups, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Music Ensembles, Musical Theater, Opera, Pep Band, Symphony Orchestra
Poll
What are your favorite campus events or traditions?
Based on 62 responses
Report
  • Harvard-Yale Game
    27%
  • Housing Day
    16%
  • Yardfest
    15%
  • Primal Scream
    13%
  • Three Things Every Undergraduate Must Do
    11%
  • Eleganza
    8%
  • Snowball fights!
    8%

Party Scene

Party Scene
A
Based on access to bars and student reviews on the party scene.
Poll
What is the party scene like on campus?
Based on 53 responses
  • Tons of raging parties almost any night of the week.
    4%
  • Lots of options Wednesday-Saturday.
    28%
  • Some decent frat/house parties, weekends only.
    47%
  • Good parties are few and far between.
    11%
  • Parties? What parties?
    9%
Poll
What is the biggest party event of the year?
Based on 25 responses
Report
  • Harvard-Yale Thanksgiving Game
    56%
  • Yardfest, Harvard-Yale, Garden Party Season, Punch
    28%
  • Yardfest
    12%
  • Homecoming
    4%

Greek Life

Men in Fraternities
—
Women in Sororities
—
57%
of students say Greek life is pretty low-key and has little effect on the social scene.58 responses
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