2005 College Handbook, Plano, Texas: College Board

Publications, 2005.

“Harvard University.” (2006): n.pag On-line.Internet.

“Harvard University” (2006): n.pag. On-line. Internet. 29 Mar. 2006. Available http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_University.

“Harvard University.” Coin. CD. ETS. 2006

The Best 357 Colleges. 2005 Ed. New York, NY: Princeton

Review Publishing, 2005.

Susan

Mrs. Riblet

Harvard University

1 June 2006

Harvard University

Harvard is an independent university founded on September 8, 1638, by John Harvard. Harvard received its’ original name on March 13, 1639 after its first principal donor, John Harvard. (Handbook 533) It is also known as the “Crimson.” Although Harvard is now a University, it was first a college until the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780. Voted by the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It is also a member of the Ivy League. (Int. Wikipedia May 30, 2006) The current President of Harvard is Lawrence H. Summers who announced his resignation that will become effective as of June 30, 2006. (Int. Harvard May 29, 2006)

Harvard is a private establishment located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Boston is also a nearby neighbor. (Int. Wikipedia May 30, 2006) Entertainment is not hard to find at all. Exciting locations such as the Harvard Square and the Inman Square are sightseers for young college students. Although many of these places are fun and entertaining, there are also educational locations such as museums, arts, cultural and racial activities for others of all ages.

The university has a variety of course offerings. Studying abroad to dual and joint degrees. The average student to faculty ratio is 8:1. (Best 266) Harvard is also involved in community activities and has several community partnerships. Harvard University consists of seven schools, Harvard Divinity School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Business School, The Graduate School of Design, The Graduate School of Education, The School of Public Health, and lastly, the John F. Kennedy School of Government. There are nine faculties, The faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard College, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The Harvard Division of Continuing Education, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Medical School, and Harvard Summer School. Harvard’s financial aid rating is eighty-eight. Tuition with financial aid is $26, 066 and with room and board it is $34,934. Only forty-seven percent of undergrads receive financial aid. (Best 267)

Harvard offers internships for those students in their fields. There are summer school programs, along with minor and major programs. This easily makes it convenient for the students attending. Harvard has the world’s fourth largest library collection. Requirements for admissions to Harvard are challenging. (Best 266) Harvard requires for upcoming undergraduates to have character, personal qualities, extracurricular activities, recommendations, secondary school record, talent/ability, standardized test scores, four years of math, English, science, and a foreign language. The average SAT score for verbal is 700-800, and for math is 700-790. The average ACT scores are 30-34.

Harvard has a variety of sports and student-involved activities. Their student athletic programs include Varsity and Instrumental. Counseling and student help programs are also available for those who need it. Dorms and Housing for students are available on campus. Freshmen have their own dorms their first years in college. Harvard’s campus style is a cultural hotbed. “there’s always so much going on: plays, concerts, seminars.” Parties at Harvard are not hard to find, but curfews are a must. Nearby Colleges have parties and hitting the city of Boston and Cambridge for clubs, bars, and the nightlife never get boring. Concerts and art performances very popular among students at Harvard. Sororities and fraternities are very popular at Harvard. The nightlife for students is fun and exiting. Whether it’s going a night on the town, or studying at the library. The possibilities are endless. Government and politics are also a big part of Harvard students. Harvard has a Student Spouses and Parents Association.

Tuition and costs for Harvard University is exorbitant and rigorous. Being that Harvard is a private institution, the cost for in and out-of-state students are equal. Tuition and fees are approximately $32, 097 excluding the cost for room and board. Including room and board the cost is about $41, 675. The application fee is $65 and cost for books and supplies is $830 and there is the cost of airfare. (Coin 2)

Harvard University, a place where almost any dream can come true is where a girl like me would love to attend. I do honestly feel that it is the most difficult school for anyone to be admitted to. Harvard is full of diversity and has a wide selection of courses and majors to chose from. Although these courses are offered at almost every learning institution, the environment of Harvard is where I want to be. It is almost too late for myself to be admitted to Harvard after high school. I believe that if admission to Harvard is possible, you must be focused and strive for the best. You have to enter high school knowing that you want Harvard to be in your future. It all starts from the grades to behavior, attendance, performance, how well-rounded you are, and especially standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. My admiration to Harvard is their competitiveness, and they are a member of the Ivy League. Their location is urban and convenient. The student body in the school is numerous. Harvard offers courses and schedules that are suitable for your lifestyle, and even work schedule. I love the hands on experience Harvard has to offer. As a Harvard undergraduate says “Everyone here is brilliant, and some are very academically competitive. Only come here if you are willing to put up with a fair share of dorks.” (Best 266)

Although Harvard is a great learning institution, there are some dislikes I have with the university. Beginning with the expenses, the cost to attend Harvard is meticulous. Not everyone is financially fortunate. For example, myself. I dislike that it is a private university. It just seems like Harvard is superior to other universities or colleges. There is also limited diversity. The majority of the university is forty-six percent Caucasian, nineteen percent Asian, nine percent African American, eight percent Hispanic, and seven percent International.