Harvard University

There is always plenty to do at Harvard, including cheering on The Harvard Crimson, reading in the largest academic library in the world, or participating in a student organization like the Ballroom Dance Team. Harvard requires freshmen to stay on campus, but other undergraduates can choose to live off campus. That isn’t a popular choice, however, as over 97% of undergraduates chose to stay at the dorms. Freshman live in the four houses in Harvard Yard, and after the first year, students are placed into one of the other 12 houses. Each house has its own personality, traditions, and history and includes a resident master, staff of tutors, dining hall, common areas, recreational areas, and cultural spaces. Some even have their own sports teams and theater groups. Harvard, a member of the NCAA, has about 1,097 athletes and is in the conference known as the Ivy League. The most popular sport is All Track Combined, but others are Football, Basketball, Rowing, Swimming and Diving, and Ice Hockey. You can even head over to the Harvard Stadium to watch The Harvard Crimson play. On top of sports and house events, there are over 400 official student organizations, including extracurricular, co-curricular, and athletic. Intramural sports like Ultimate Frisbee or soccer are popular activities, as are club sports like archery, fencing, and lacrosse. You can also pick up a copy of the Harvard Crimson News or The Harvard Lampoon for literature and news. For your career, the university has plenty to offer including academic/career counseling, employment services, and placement services for students who graduate. There are also remedial services available. On top of all that, Boston is only 10-15 minutes away by car or bus, with plenty of museums, local food, and the famous Fenway Park to visit.