Harvard College

Celebrating America 250

The Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums leading the group with flutes and drums while dressed in period clothing.

John Harvard statue outside a stone campus building beneath an American flag on a clear day.

Close-up of an American flag’s red and white stripes above a bronze seated statue.

"Harvard College has proudly symbolized American excellence for nearly four centuries. Our motto – Veritas – represents our unwavering commitment to pursuing knowledge and serving the common good."

David Deming
Danoff Dean of Harvard College

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Students walk along a tree-lined campus path beneath an American flag and a seated statue.

Harvard College Celebrates America 250

Learn more about how Harvard is recognizing this historic milestone.

1776 at Harvard

Student Stories

Why I Chose Government at Harvard

In the fall of 2024, I declared my concentration in Government. Here’s how I got there.

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Holidays on Campus: Fourth of July

This year, I spent the 4th of July, America’s birthday, in one of the country's most historic regions: New England! Boston’s rich history makes it an interesting place to celebrate Independence Day, but its accessible public transportation system makes it very easy to travel around the region too!

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Advice I Wish I Knew as a Freshman at Harvard – From a Graduating Senior

As the number of days until graduation continue to decrease and I get closer to the day where I’ll I go from student to alumni...

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What Sports Taught Me About Living in America's College Town

‘America's College Town' – coming from New Zealand, I didn't really understand what an American college town actually meant. Was it a place with numerous colleges located together? Was it the environment, the level of education, or the opportunities that were offered? Through my time at Harvard, I came to understand that choosing to study in Greater Boston, home to 70+ colleges, was the best decision I've made.

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What is a "liberal arts & sciences" education?

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.

How many courses does Harvard offer?

Harvard offers more than 3,700 courses. For a complete copy of the course catalog, please visit registrar.fas.harvard.edu.

How large are classes?

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.

What is Harvard's graduation rate?

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.

Is on-campus housing guaranteed?

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.

Where will I take my meals?

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.