At Harvard, we do not officially declare our concentrations (majors) until sophomore fall. This day is marked by celebrations across campus: Concentration Declaration Day! 

The formal process of declaring your concentration begins weeks earlier, just after the start of sophomore year. Students begin to meet with advisors in their department of choice, and then submit a form via our online portal, my.harvard, to officially declare our initial concentration. This year, the deadline to declare via my.harvard was October 10th--otherwise known as Concentration Declaration Day! The main event of the day takes place on the steps of Widener library, where large red signs bearing the names of each concentration are distributed so we can take photos with our friends, roommates, and fellow concentrators. Staff and professors from many departments are also on hand, taking photos and handing out candy. This year, pizza was also provided by the HUA (our student government). 

Throughout the day, smaller-scale, but no less exciting, events also take place in Harvard's 12 undergraduate houses; in Quincy House, our faculty deans and resident tutors provided cake as we signed a parchment scroll with a quill pen to document the newest Quincy students' concentrations. Over the next several weeks, many concentrations also held welcome events, providing food, drinks, and entertainment, while also helping students get to know their departmental professors, advisors, teaching fellows, and fellow students. For example, for History of Science, we were treated to pizza, sparkling water, and an incredible magic show, combined with great conversation with the department's faculty and staff. 

Ultimately, the festivities of Concentration Declaration day were a true highlight of my sophomore fall!