Housing Day Has Arrived!
An Iconic Harvard Tradition
Discover Your House and Community
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Houses Become Homes
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When students come to Harvard, they bring their perspective on the world—an understanding that is deeply tied to their culture, background, and experiences. The result is a diverse, open-minded community where dialogue and debate are not only encouraged—they're inevitable.
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Through intellectual vitality, the Harvard College community seeks to establish a culture in which all members speak, listen, and ask questions of each other – and ourselves – with curiosity and respect.
At Harvard College, students choose a "concentration," which is what we call a major. With more than 3,700 courses in 50 undergraduate fields of study, you'll have plenty of chances to find your passion.
Harvard fosters a living and learning environment where you can celebrate your individuality—and where you can explore the shared ideas and experiences that connect us all.
Working side by side with undergraduates, Harvard professors encourage students to see with new eyes. Through research, coursework, and casual interactions, students and faculty learn from and challenge each other on a daily basis.
The residential community system is one of Harvard's best known traditions - first-years live together in Harvard Yard, and then students spend the next three years in one of Harvard's historic Houses.
From your professors and House advisors to your friends and teammates, Harvard is a vibrant community where you can feel supported and encouraged. No matter where you come from, Harvard is home.
Harvard is home to 42 nation-leading Division I intercollegiate sports teams. Our outstanding varsity athletes excel in competition, fuel Crimson pride across campus, and carry on the rich legacy of Harvard Athletics.
Caring for your mental and physical well-being positions you to do your best in the classroom or in any endeavor you pursue. Harvard has a wide array of opportunities that provide a strong foundation to help you stay healthy and maximize wellbeing.
Cambridge and Boston are separated by the Charles River but share a vibrant student population, an exciting blend of cultures, and a stimulating urban pulse. These two cities will host some of your most cherished memories.
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The staff of Harvard's campus offices ensure you always have somewhere to turn for help navigating college life. Improve your study skills, take the first step on the path to career success, or enliven your day with an infusion of arts and culture.
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Caring for your mental and physical well-being positions you to do your best in the classroom, on the field, or in any endeavor you set your mind to. Harvard has a wide array of opportunities that provide a strong foundation to help you stay healthy and learn about methods to maximize wellbeing.
We hope the information on this page helps parents, family members, or guardians of prospective or current Harvard students along the journey from applying to graduating.
Meet the office that most directly supports first-year students. This page offers information about making the transition from high school to college.
We are committed to providing resources and opportunities for parents and families to learn about the College and share in the milestones your student will experience during their time at Harvard.
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The Admissions Committee considers counselors as invaluable colleagues and partners in the college selection and application process. We hope the information on this page is helpful to you as you guide your students.
Read about the application requirements for first-year applicants and transfer students as well as deadlines for application rounds.
Harvard offers incredibly generous financial aid packages. We hope you'll advise students to learn more about the financial support as they consider Harvard - it is likely more affordable than they expect!
This quick estimator tool will give students and their families estimates of what they'd be expected to contribute to the cost of a Harvard education. Nearly 1/4 of our Harvard families pay nothing for their student to attend.
This guide provides tips about every section of the application and the Harvard supplement.
Join us as we warmly welcome students to their new Houses.
@harvardadmissions The Harvard University Band is an integral part of Harvard Campus. Watch how we help students celebrate Valentine's Day! #fyp #valentinesday #harvard @Harvard University Band ♬ original sound - harvardadmissions - Harvard Admissions
The Harvard University Band is an integral part of Harvard Campus. Watch how we help students celebrate Valentine's Day! #fyp #valentinesday #harvard @Harvard University Band
@harvardadmissions It’s nearing the end of February so we asked our students about their semester resolutions! #harvard #spring ♬ original sound - harvardadmissions - Harvard Admissions
It’s nearing the end of February so we asked our students about their semester resolutions! #harvard #spring
@harvardadmissions Winter only lasts for so long so make sure to enjoy it! #fyp #harvard #snow ♬ original sound - harvardadmissions - Harvard Admissions
Winter only lasts for so long so make sure to enjoy it! #fyp #harvard #snow
@harvardadmissions Harvard Band 🤝 Cynthia Erivo #hastypudding #wicked #fyp #harvardcollege ♬ original sound - harvardadmissions - Harvard Admissions
Harvard Band 🤝 Cynthia Erivo #hastypudding #wicked #fyp #harvardcollege
@harvardcollege If you're looking for an answer to the daunting question, "what do you want to study?," look no further than EFoS. Check the college calendar for departmental events between February 10 and March 7. https://advising.college.harvard.edu/academic-planning-for-students/efo… #harvardcollege #harvardadvisingprogramsoffice ♬ original sound - harvardcollege - Harvard College
If you're looking for an answer to the daunting question, "what do you want to study?," look no further than EFoS. Check the college calendar for departmental events between February 10 and March 7. https://advising.college.harvard.edu/academic-planning-for-students/efo… #harvardcollege #harvardadvisingprogramsoffice
In case you missed it, experience the excitement and energy of last year's Housing Day!
We were woken up by chanting from upperclassmen from each of the twelve houses as they gathered in Harvard Yard to storm our dorms.
One of the biggest traditions at Harvard is Housing Day - the day you get placed into the upperclass house during your last years at Harvard.
For most students here at the college, Housing Day is the pinnacle of their first-year. For me, it was the day I was dreading the most.
The liberal arts & sciences offer a broad intellectual foundation for the tools to think critically, reason analytically and write clearly. These proficiencies will prepare students to navigate the world’s most complex issues, and address future innovations with unforeseen challenges. Shaped by ideas encountered and created, these new modes of thinking will prepare students for leading meaningful lives, with conscientious global citizenship, to enhance the greater good.
Harvard offers more than 3,700 courses. For a complete copy of the course catalog, please visit registrar.fas.harvard.edu.
Some introductory courses as well as several other popular courses have large enrollments. Yet, the median class size at Harvard is 12. Of the nearly 1,300 courses offered last fall, for example, more than 1,000 of them enrolled 20 or fewer students.
The College's graduation rate is normally 98 percent, among the highest at American colleges and universities. Everyone admitted to Harvard has the ability to complete all academic requirements successfully.
Harvard guarantees housing for all four years. First-year students live in one of the 17 dormitories in or adjacent to historic Harvard Yard. Self-selected groups of students are assigned to one of 12 residential Houses for the final three years of undergraduate study. About 350 to 500 students live in a House, each of which includes its own dining hall, library, advising staff, and many other resources. Read more about residential life.
First-year students all eat together in Annenberg Hall. During sophomore through senior year, students typically eat in the dining hall located within their Houses, although students can choose to eat at other House dining halls as well. See more about dining.
Harvard is committed to creating an inclusive living and learning environment for every member of our community.