Harvard’s campus and vibe is underwhelming

[Anonymous]

If helpful, maybe check out Carl Spackler University (Go Gophers!) if first concern for education is the grass, which if I remember right at CSU is a hybrid— specifically a cross of bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, featherbed bench and northern California sinsemilla.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I couldn’t get over how touristy the whole place felt. Mind you, I was one of them 😂

Me too. It also felt too congested with people and traffic and too high end commercial. And, all the colonial architecture just made me feel like suburban Virginia! DD liked it way more than I did, but maybe that's because we don't get as much colonial in MD as in VA.

i gather you don't like colonial? But you need to learn your history. Colonial architecture was the predominant style from the 17th - 19th centures in ALL of Northern America (which includes Maryland). Colonial architecture is all over the south too!

You’d think with all the $ the ivies could have already torn down all those “ugly” colonial buildings and put up new shiny ikea ones instead to get with the times!

No, they are historical and a great tradition to the first year experience. Decades later colleagues talk about fun in the Yard at 3a.m. They've also been extensively renovated. There are many videos on this. When new dorms are needed they are built "shiny IKEA" style by world renowned architects like Walter Gropius at tge law school - but those were a mistake in my mind: too small, linoleum floor, noisy hallways

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard yard’s grass is terribly maintained considering the resources available.

The buildings are copy and paste Georgian brick and not done well.

Cambridge is nicer than New Haven or Providence but Yale and brown have way better campuses

As for the vibes and kids — a lot of convergence with MIT

I don’t remember the difference between Harvard kids vibes/look being this different from BC kids 20 years ago but in 2024 they seem to be starkly different

WTH is going on with DCUM lately? There is a thread that trashes all the ivies as being run down and filled with geeks and/or asians, there is one that has a Vandy alum or two or 3 going off about the nerds and asians there. Someone went off that the Duke 2028s "look different" and look "not fun". This has to be coordinated. I have three kids , two at ivies and one at one of these others: the kids "look" the same as they did when the oldest started 5 yrs ago versus the freshman we just moved in --sure there is some geeks and nerdiness and there is a great diversity of ethnicities. It is not new. Why is this bad? The only difference in look between now and 25 yrs ago is less white. Is that your issue? If somehow you mean truly nerdiness not race, what in the heck do you expect? These kids are overwhelmingly very smart kids, the top 1% mostly, which is a significant shift from 20 years ago when the majority were not top 1-2%. These schools are also more filled with financially needy kids than they have ever been, with 50-65% on aid and a high % pell grants. They are not going to have the same fashion /makeup / demeanor as the way southern country club culture is. If it is "too geeky" (or "too poor" or "too asian") don't apply! The so-called geeks who are there and the new ones who get in this season do not need your kid or your attitude. My white mildly quirky to very geeky kids are having a blast and enjoying the huge opportunities, and my bank account is grateful for the aid we get.

I agree with you - Dcum has gotten more ugly. Posters in the College forum want to cut down the colleges or institutions that refused them or one of their children. Many are jealous so post negatives. Many posters are here just to be nasty. Many posters are argumentative or contrarian just for the sake of being an a@@. Many posters are disturbed people who get a temporary positive rush by dumping on other prople and their problems and dreams.

I've shared a lot of college admissions knowledge here and wisdom on other topics, but the ugliness of the website is disconcerting. I can find much better ways to improve myself and share what I know than staying here.

DCUM can be maddening and some posters willfully obtuse, but pushback on the Ivies doesn’t come solely from rejected applicants. Rather, it’s that those who push the Ivies and WASP can be extremely provincial and close-minded about great schools in other parts of the country, so much so that you really wonder if they’re as bright as they claim. Any elite school in the South or Midwest never gets fair credit among this crowd. In fact, it is this smug, provincial attitude that encourages smart, more open-minded kids to go to other great schools. Both of my kids were Ivy-qualified but applied to none of them. They’re both attending elite schools in the South.

They also don’t want to hear any criticisms ever. But the reality is that Harvard’s campus is average at best.

You didn't see the River houses, Widener Library, the Law school library, the museums on campus, Memorial
Chapel, the boat house, the B school, the ancient but cool stadium, etc

Yale’s art museum absolutely smokes Harvard’s by a huge degree - on collection, the building itself, and gallery presentation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard yard’s grass is terribly maintained considering the resources available.

The buildings are copy and paste Georgian brick and not done well.

Cambridge is nicer than New Haven or Providence but Yale and brown have way better campuses

As for the vibes and kids — a lot of convergence with MIT

I don’t remember the difference between Harvard kids vibes/look being this different from BC kids 20 years ago but in 2024 they seem to be starkly different

WTH is going on with DCUM lately? There is a thread that trashes all the ivies as being run down and filled with geeks and/or asians, there is one that has a Vandy alum or two or 3 going off about the nerds and asians there. Someone went off that the Duke 2028s "look different" and look "not fun". This has to be coordinated. I have three kids , two at ivies and one at one of these others: the kids "look" the same as they did when the oldest started 5 yrs ago versus the freshman we just moved in --sure there is some geeks and nerdiness and there is a great diversity of ethnicities. It is not new. Why is this bad? The only difference in look between now and 25 yrs ago is less white. Is that your issue? If somehow you mean truly nerdiness not race, what in the heck do you expect? These kids are overwhelmingly very smart kids, the top 1% mostly, which is a significant shift from 20 years ago when the majority were not top 1-2%. These schools are also more filled with financially needy kids than they have ever been, with 50-65% on aid and a high % pell grants. They are not going to have the same fashion /makeup / demeanor as the way southern country club culture is. If it is "too geeky" (or "too poor" or "too asian") don't apply! The so-called geeks who are there and the new ones who get in this season do not need your kid or your attitude. My white mildly quirky to very geeky kids are having a blast and enjoying the huge opportunities, and my bank account is grateful for the aid we get.

I agree with you - Dcum has gotten more ugly. Posters in the College forum want to cut down the colleges or institutions that refused them or one of their children. Many are jealous so post negatives. Many posters are here just to be nasty. Many posters are argumentative or contrarian just for the sake of being an a@@. Many posters are disturbed people who get a temporary positive rush by dumping on other prople and their problems and dreams.

I've shared a lot of college admissions knowledge here and wisdom on other topics, but the ugliness of the website is disconcerting. I can find much better ways to improve myself and share what I know than staying here.

DCUM can be maddening and some posters willfully obtuse, but pushback on the Ivies doesn’t come solely from rejected applicants. Rather, it’s that those who push the Ivies and WASP can be extremely provincial and close-minded about great schools in other parts of the country, so much so that you really wonder if they’re as bright as they claim. Any elite school in the South or Midwest never gets fair credit among this crowd. In fact, it is this smug, provincial attitude that encourages smart, more open-minded kids to go to other great schools. Both of my kids were Ivy-qualified but applied to none of them. They’re both attending elite schools in the South.

They also don’t want to hear any criticisms ever. But the reality is that Harvard’s campus is average at best.

Green doesn't suit you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard yard’s grass is terribly maintained considering the resources available.

The buildings are copy and paste Georgian brick and not done well.

Cambridge is nicer than New Haven or Providence but Yale and brown have way better campuses

As for the vibes and kids — a lot of convergence with MIT

I don’t remember the difference between Harvard kids vibes/look being this different from BC kids 20 years ago but in 2024 they seem to be starkly different

WTH is going on with DCUM lately? There is a thread that trashes all the ivies as being run down and filled with geeks and/or asians, there is one that has a Vandy alum or two or 3 going off about the nerds and asians there. Someone went off that the Duke 2028s "look different" and look "not fun". This has to be coordinated. I have three kids , two at ivies and one at one of these others: the kids "look" the same as they did when the oldest started 5 yrs ago versus the freshman we just moved in --sure there is some geeks and nerdiness and there is a great diversity of ethnicities. It is not new. Why is this bad? The only difference in look between now and 25 yrs ago is less white. Is that your issue? If somehow you mean truly nerdiness not race, what in the heck do you expect? These kids are overwhelmingly very smart kids, the top 1% mostly, which is a significant shift from 20 years ago when the majority were not top 1-2%. These schools are also more filled with financially needy kids than they have ever been, with 50-65% on aid and a high % pell grants. They are not going to have the same fashion /makeup / demeanor as the way southern country club culture is. If it is "too geeky" (or "too poor" or "too asian") don't apply! The so-called geeks who are there and the new ones who get in this season do not need your kid or your attitude. My white mildly quirky to very geeky kids are having a blast and enjoying the huge opportunities, and my bank account is grateful for the aid we get.

I agree with you - Dcum has gotten more ugly. Posters in the College forum want to cut down the colleges or institutions that refused them or one of their children. Many are jealous so post negatives. Many posters are here just to be nasty. Many posters are argumentative or contrarian just for the sake of being an a@@. Many posters are disturbed people who get a temporary positive rush by dumping on other prople and their problems and dreams.

I've shared a lot of college admissions knowledge here and wisdom on other topics, but the ugliness of the website is disconcerting. I can find much better ways to improve myself and share what I know than staying here.

DCUM can be maddening and some posters willfully obtuse, but pushback on the Ivies doesn’t come solely from rejected applicants. Rather, it’s that those who push the Ivies and WASP can be extremely provincial and close-minded about great schools in other parts of the country, so much so that you really wonder if they’re as bright as they claim. Any elite school in the South or Midwest never gets fair credit among this crowd. In fact, it is this smug, provincial attitude that encourages smart, more open-minded kids to go to other great schools. Both of my kids were Ivy-qualified but applied to none of them. They’re both attending elite schools in the South.

They also don’t want to hear any criticisms ever. But the reality is that Harvard’s campus is average at best.

You didn't see the River houses, Widener Library, the Law school library, the museums on campus, Memorial
Chapel, the boat house, the B school, the ancient but cool stadium, etc

Yale’s art museum absolutely smokes Harvard’s by a huge degree - on collection, the building itself, and gallery presentation

Harvard has many more museums, art and otherwise, than Yale. google it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The campus has always been underwhelming. I remember the first time I was there a gazillion years ago and thinking that I somehow missed the "real" Harvard. That it was around here somewhere, but clearly I couldn't quite find it. But nope. What you see is what you get. Just follow the tourists.

At least back in the day Harvard Square was somewhat interesting. But with gentrification, even that's gone. That whole area of Cambridge has become rather charmless. Not sure what the plan is. A striver, grinder school surrounded by chain stores seems to be the vibe of Harvard today. It doesn't seem like a fun place. But the better parties were always at MIT anyway, so nothing new there.

Harvard grad '94 checking in and I agree with this take!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard yard’s grass is terribly maintained considering the resources available.

The buildings are copy and paste Georgian brick and not done well.

Cambridge is nicer than New Haven or Providence but Yale and brown have way better campuses

As for the vibes and kids — a lot of convergence with MIT

I don’t remember the difference between Harvard kids vibes/look being this different from BC kids 20 years ago but in 2024 they seem to be starkly different

uh, those buildings are authentic, built in the 18th century for Harvard's growing community of students. Most consider it an honor to be living in them and in the Yard. What freshman enjoy at Harvard - unlike the Yale house system - is that all freshmen spend one year together in the Yard. So,by the time you have finished freshman year, you know everyone in your class. Then you pick one of the beautiful river houses for the next three years. At Yale, freshman go directly into a house and miss the Harvard bonding experience.

My rooms at Harvard were huge and comfortable. I had a shared suite with an enormous living room and working fireplace. A neighbor even managed to bring his baby grand up five flights of stairs

I'll take you at your word about Harvard, but your info on Yale is completely inaccurate. Most Yale first years lives together on Old Campus, then live in their residential college for the next 3 years. Unlike Harvard, Yalies are randomly assigned to their residential college, which is more egalitarian than Harvard. There is no rush or selection process. I had great rooms at Yale too with fireplaces and charm.

Yeah but you are assigned to a house. There is no selection at Yale. At least five Yale colleges require freshman to start in the house. At Harvard you get to select. Each House has a different feel and reputation. You assemble your friends from the first year whom you've met in the Yard and pick a house (and they are gorgeous!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If helpful, maybe check out Carl Spackler University (Go Gophers!) if first concern for education is the grass, which if I remember right at CSU is a hybrid— specifically a cross of bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, featherbed bench and northern California sinsemilla.

lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard yard’s grass is terribly maintained considering the resources available.

The buildings are copy and paste Georgian brick and not done well.

Cambridge is nicer than New Haven or Providence but Yale and brown have way better campuses

As for the vibes and kids — a lot of convergence with MIT

I don’t remember the difference between Harvard kids vibes/look being this different from BC kids 20 years ago but in 2024 they seem to be starkly different

WTH is going on with DCUM lately? There is a thread that trashes all the ivies as being run down and filled with geeks and/or asians, there is one that has a Vandy alum or two or 3 going off about the nerds and asians there. Someone went off that the Duke 2028s "look different" and look "not fun". This has to be coordinated. I have three kids , two at ivies and one at one of these others: the kids "look" the same as they did when the oldest started 5 yrs ago versus the freshman we just moved in --sure there is some geeks and nerdiness and there is a great diversity of ethnicities. It is not new. Why is this bad? The only difference in look between now and 25 yrs ago is less white. Is that your issue? If somehow you mean truly nerdiness not race, what in the heck do you expect? These kids are overwhelmingly very smart kids, the top 1% mostly, which is a significant shift from 20 years ago when the majority were not top 1-2%. These schools are also more filled with financially needy kids than they have ever been, with 50-65% on aid and a high % pell grants. They are not going to have the same fashion /makeup / demeanor as the way southern country club culture is. If it is "too geeky" (or "too poor" or "too asian") don't apply! The so-called geeks who are there and the new ones who get in this season do not need your kid or your attitude. My white mildly quirky to very geeky kids are having a blast and enjoying the huge opportunities, and my bank account is grateful for the aid we get.

I agree with you - Dcum has gotten more ugly. Posters in the College forum want to cut down the colleges or institutions that refused them or one of their children. Many are jealous so post negatives. Many posters are here just to be nasty. Many posters are argumentative or contrarian just for the sake of being an a@@. Many posters are disturbed people who get a temporary positive rush by dumping on other prople and their problems and dreams.

I've shared a lot of college admissions knowledge here and wisdom on other topics, but the ugliness of the website is disconcerting. I can find much better ways to improve myself and share what I know than staying here.

DCUM can be maddening and some posters willfully obtuse, but pushback on the Ivies doesn’t come solely from rejected applicants. Rather, it’s that those who push the Ivies and WASP can be extremely provincial and close-minded about great schools in other parts of the country, so much so that you really wonder if they’re as bright as they claim. Any elite school in the South or Midwest never gets fair credit among this crowd. In fact, it is this smug, provincial attitude that encourages smart, more open-minded kids to go to other great schools. Both of my kids were Ivy-qualified but applied to none of them. They’re both attending elite schools in the South.

They also don’t want to hear any criticisms ever. But the reality is that Harvard’s campus is average at best.

Green doesn't suit you

I couldn’t care less about their campus one way or the other. But thanks for confirming my point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard yard’s grass is terribly maintained considering the resources available.

The buildings are copy and paste Georgian brick and not done well.

Cambridge is nicer than New Haven or Providence but Yale and brown have way better campuses

As for the vibes and kids — a lot of convergence with MIT

I don’t remember the difference between Harvard kids vibes/look being this different from BC kids 20 years ago but in 2024 they seem to be starkly different

uh, those buildings are authentic, built in the 18th century for Harvard's growing community of students. Most consider it an honor to be living in them and in the Yard. What freshman enjoy at Harvard - unlike the Yale house system - is that all freshmen spend one year together in the Yard. So,by the time you have finished freshman year, you know everyone in your class. Then you pick one of the beautiful river houses for the next three years. At Yale, freshman go directly into a house and miss the Harvard bonding experience.

My rooms at Harvard were huge and comfortable. I had a shared suite with an enormous living room and working fireplace. A neighbor even managed to bring his baby grand up five flights of stairs

I'll take you at your word about Harvard, but your info on Yale is completely inaccurate. Most Yale first years lives together on Old Campus, then live in their residential college for the next 3 years. Unlike Harvard, Yalies are randomly assigned to their residential college, which is more egalitarian than Harvard. There is no rush or selection process. I had great rooms at Yale too with fireplaces and charm.

Yeah but you are assigned to a house. There is no selection at Yale. At least five Yale colleges require freshman to start in the house. At Harvard you get to select. Each House has a different feel and reputation. You assemble your friends from the first year whom you've met in the Yard and pick a house (and they are gorgeous!)

How old are you?
Harvard stoped assigning Houses over 20 years ago.

https://college.harvard.edu/student-life/student-stories/commonly-asked-qs-housing-system#:~:text=Throughout%20February%2C%20the%20%E2%80%9Chousing%20gods,of%20the%20randomized%20housing%20process.

[Anonymous]

Oops, Correction: Harvard started randomizing Houses over 20 years ago

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard yard’s grass is terribly maintained considering the resources available.

The buildings are copy and paste Georgian brick and not done well.

Cambridge is nicer than New Haven or Providence but Yale and brown have way better campuses

As for the vibes and kids — a lot of convergence with MIT

I don’t remember the difference between Harvard kids vibes/look being this different from BC kids 20 years ago but in 2024 they seem to be starkly different

WTH is going on with DCUM lately? There is a thread that trashes all the ivies as being run down and filled with geeks and/or asians, there is one that has a Vandy alum or two or 3 going off about the nerds and asians there. Someone went off that the Duke 2028s "look different" and look "not fun". This has to be coordinated. I have three kids , two at ivies and one at one of these others: the kids "look" the same as they did when the oldest started 5 yrs ago versus the freshman we just moved in --sure there is some geeks and nerdiness and there is a great diversity of ethnicities. It is not new. Why is this bad? The only difference in look between now and 25 yrs ago is less white. Is that your issue? If somehow you mean truly nerdiness not race, what in the heck do you expect? These kids are overwhelmingly very smart kids, the top 1% mostly, which is a significant shift from 20 years ago when the majority were not top 1-2%. These schools are also more filled with financially needy kids than they have ever been, with 50-65% on aid and a high % pell grants. They are not going to have the same fashion /makeup / demeanor as the way southern country club culture is. If it is "too geeky" (or "too poor" or "too asian") don't apply! The so-called geeks who are there and the new ones who get in this season do not need your kid or your attitude. My white mildly quirky to very geeky kids are having a blast and enjoying the huge opportunities, and my bank account is grateful for the aid we get.

I agree with you - Dcum has gotten more ugly. Posters in the College forum want to cut down the colleges or institutions that refused them or one of their children. Many are jealous so post negatives. Many posters are here just to be nasty. Many posters are argumentative or contrarian just for the sake of being an a@@. Many posters are disturbed people who get a temporary positive rush by dumping on other prople and their problems and dreams.

I've shared a lot of college admissions knowledge here and wisdom on other topics, but the ugliness of the website is disconcerting. I can find much better ways to improve myself and share what I know than staying here.

DCUM can be maddening and some posters willfully obtuse, but pushback on the Ivies doesn’t come solely from rejected applicants. Rather, it’s that those who push the Ivies and WASP can be extremely provincial and close-minded about great schools in other parts of the country, so much so that you really wonder if they’re as bright as they claim. Any elite school in the South or Midwest never gets fair credit among this crowd. In fact, it is this smug, provincial attitude that encourages smart, more open-minded kids to go to other great schools. Both of my kids were Ivy-qualified but applied to none of them. They’re both attending elite schools in the South.

They also don’t want to hear any criticisms ever. But the reality is that Harvard’s campus is average at best.

Green doesn't suit you

From what I hear, green doesn't suit Harvard's yard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard yard’s grass is terribly maintained considering the resources available.

The buildings are copy and paste Georgian brick and not done well.

Cambridge is nicer than New Haven or Providence but Yale and brown have way better campuses

As for the vibes and kids — a lot of convergence with MIT

I don’t remember the difference between Harvard kids vibes/look being this different from BC kids 20 years ago but in 2024 they seem to be starkly different

uh, those buildings are authentic, built in the 18th century for Harvard's growing community of students. Most consider it an honor to be living in them and in the Yard. What freshman enjoy at Harvard - unlike the Yale house system - is that all freshmen spend one year together in the Yard. So,by the time you have finished freshman year, you know everyone in your class. Then you pick one of the beautiful river houses for the next three years. At Yale, freshman go directly into a house and miss the Harvard bonding experience.

My rooms at Harvard were huge and comfortable. I had a shared suite with an enormous living room and working fireplace. A neighbor even managed to bring his baby grand up five flights of stairs

I'll take you at your word about Harvard, but your info on Yale is completely inaccurate. Most Yale first years lives together on Old Campus, then live in their residential college for the next 3 years. Unlike Harvard, Yalies are randomly assigned to their residential college, which is more egalitarian than Harvard. There is no rush or selection process. I had great rooms at Yale too with fireplaces and charm.

Yeah but you are assigned to a house. There is no selection at Yale. At least five Yale colleges require freshman to start in the house. At Harvard you get to select. Each House has a different feel and reputation. You assemble your friends from the first year whom you've met in the Yard and pick a house (and they are gorgeous!)

Alas, this is no longer true. (It was when I was there in the early 90s.) Now you assemble your friends from your first year and then you get randomly placed in a house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard yard’s grass is terribly maintained considering the resources available.

The buildings are copy and paste Georgian brick and not done well.

Cambridge is nicer than New Haven or Providence but Yale and brown have way better campuses

As for the vibes and kids — a lot of convergence with MIT

I don’t remember the difference between Harvard kids vibes/look being this different from BC kids 20 years ago but in 2024 they seem to be starkly different

WTH is going on with DCUM lately? There is a thread that trashes all the ivies as being run down and filled with geeks and/or asians, there is one that has a Vandy alum or two or 3 going off about the nerds and asians there. Someone went off that the Duke 2028s "look different" and look "not fun". This has to be coordinated. I have three kids , two at ivies and one at one of these others: the kids "look" the same as they did when the oldest started 5 yrs ago versus the freshman we just moved in --sure there is some geeks and nerdiness and there is a great diversity of ethnicities. It is not new. Why is this bad? The only difference in look between now and 25 yrs ago is less white. Is that your issue? If somehow you mean truly nerdiness not race, what in the heck do you expect? These kids are overwhelmingly very smart kids, the top 1% mostly, which is a significant shift from 20 years ago when the majority were not top 1-2%. These schools are also more filled with financially needy kids than they have ever been, with 50-65% on aid and a high % pell grants. They are not going to have the same fashion /makeup / demeanor as the way southern country club culture is. If it is "too geeky" (or "too poor" or "too asian") don't apply! The so-called geeks who are there and the new ones who get in this season do not need your kid or your attitude. My white mildly quirky to very geeky kids are having a blast and enjoying the huge opportunities, and my bank account is grateful for the aid we get.

I agree with you - Dcum has gotten more ugly. Posters in the College forum want to cut down the colleges or institutions that refused them or one of their children. Many are jealous so post negatives. Many posters are here just to be nasty. Many posters are argumentative or contrarian just for the sake of being an a@@. Many posters are disturbed people who get a temporary positive rush by dumping on other prople and their problems and dreams.

I've shared a lot of college admissions knowledge here and wisdom on other topics, but the ugliness of the website is disconcerting. I can find much better ways to improve myself and share what I know than staying here.

DCUM can be maddening and some posters willfully obtuse, but pushback on the Ivies doesn’t come solely from rejected applicants. Rather, it’s that those who push the Ivies and WASP can be extremely provincial and close-minded about great schools in other parts of the country, so much so that you really wonder if they’re as bright as they claim. Any elite school in the South or Midwest never gets fair credit among this crowd. In fact, it is this smug, provincial attitude that encourages smart, more open-minded kids to go to other great schools. Both of my kids were Ivy-qualified but applied to none of them. They’re both attending elite schools in the South.

They also don’t want to hear any criticisms ever. But the reality is that Harvard’s campus is average at best.

You didn't see the River houses, Widener Library, the Law school library, the museums on campus, Memorial
Chapel, the boat house, the B school, the ancient but cool stadium, etc

Seen it all, including the inside. Used to live in Cambridge. Campus is average, sorry.

[Anonymous]

There is no accounting for taste, I suppose. I graduated from Harvard in the 90s and thought it was magical. Back then the buildings had ivy, which they might not anymore, but seeing the snowfall in the Yard, or walking along the river with a view of the Houses, I loved it.

Not only did I never go to an MIT party, I don't remember anyone else ever going. Maybe that was after my time? I remember people saying the kids at MIT partied hard but there wasn't a ton of interaction. We went to the movie theater in Kendall Square but otherwise never went to that area.

Re: BC and Harvard, I grew up five minutes from BC and have lots of family members who went and a son who goes now. The vibe was always completely different.