The private Ivy League research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts was founded as Harvard College in 1636. Named after Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and one of the world’s most prestigious universities. It is home to over 16,000 students and is regarded as one of the top 100 universities in the world. There are several reasons why students choose to study at Harvard University.
Among the school’s many prestigious degrees and majors, Harvard boasts a distinguished alumni list. Alumni include eight US presidents, a number of foreign heads of state, 359 Marshall and Rhodes Scholars, and the winners of over ten Nobel Prizes. More than eighty Olympic medals have been won by former students and alumni of Harvard. And with so many outstanding alumni and programs, Harvard is regularly ranked among the world’s best universities.
For students considering the Ivy League system, Harvard University offers financial aid in the form of student employment, scholarship funds, and external awards. It also offers student loans for qualified students and parent loans to interested families. The scholarship funds are generated from various sources, including alumni gifts and endowment funds. Students can also apply for federal grants to help with their educational costs. The cost of tuition at Harvard University is often prohibitive, but students who are determined to pursue a Harvard education should seek help.
To gain admission to Harvard, students must submit their applications and supporting materials. These materials help the admission committee evaluate the applications. Students should research the university and program thoroughly to ensure they are well-prepared. Students should begin preparation early, and focus on achieving high grades. It is also important to prepare for the standardized exams and take tests at home. They also need to develop an overall profile by obtaining work experience. The admissions committee at Harvard is a highly selective institution.
The admissions process at Harvard is selective and based on merit, so a low GPA doesn’t automatically disqualify you from applying. Even if you don’t have a perfect GPA, a high SAT or ACT score will help you compete with applicants with higher grades. The tuition at Harvard University is one of the highest in the world, but the financial aid program ensures that many students are able to pay less than the normal cost. Obtaining a Harvard degree is an excellent long-term investment that will yield many benefits.
The academic offerings and prestige of Harvard University are the most foundational reasons to attend this school. The prime location is another important consideration. Located close to the cities of Cambridge and Boston, Harvard offers the best of both worlds. Students can take advantage of the city life while enjoying the secluded life when they need it. Taking the time to visit Harvard campus is worthwhile, and the education that you receive there will be life-changing. Consider the following reasons when choosing a school:
The ratio of students to faculty at Harvard University is 5 to one, which is lower than the national average of 15 to 1. This is an excellent indicator that professors are accessible and available to students. Another indicator of professor accessibility is the number of full-time faculty. Part-time professors spend less time on campus, so they may not be as accessible. In Harvard, there are more full-time professors than part-time professors, which is better for students.
In addition to academic quality, the university’s mission reflects the values of the founding community. The university’s original intent was to educate clergy, but it has since shifted its focus to intellectual training and the highest quality scholarship. Its emphasis on critical thinking has helped it weather the storms of social change, while opening the doors for minorities and women to enroll. There is even a chapel for a former president of Harvard University. So, Harvard’s mission remains unaffected by the challenges of the past few decades.
During the early nineteenth century, the university’s president, Charles W. Eliot, reformed the institution into a modern research university. He introduced elective courses and a competitive entrance examination. These reforms made Harvard one of the nation’s most prominent research universities and had a profound influence on education in the United States. Harvard’s explosive growth in the twentieth century continued as more students from around the world flocked to attend.
