Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest higher education institution in the United States and is renowned globally for its influence, reputation, and academic excellence.
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just three miles northwest of Boston, Harvard’s 209-acre campus includes 10 degree-granting schools, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, two theaters, and five museums. It also boasts the world’s largest academic library system, with 18 million volumes, 180,000 serial titles, an estimated 400 million manuscript items, and 10 million photographs.
Originally established to train clergy, Harvard’s curriculum and student body soon became more secular. In the 20th century, the university broadened its admissions policy to increase diversity among its students.
Today, Harvard hosts around 21,000 students, who frequently pass by the famous statue of John Harvard, the university’s first benefactor. The bronze statue’s foot is notably shiny from being rubbed by students and tourists alike, who believe it brings good fortune.
Harvard is known for its exclusivity and high cost of attendance, but its substantial endowment allows it to offer generous financial aid packages, which around 60 percent of students benefit from.
Freshmen reside in dormitories within Harvard Yard, a prime location, and dine in the historic Annenberg dining hall. Student life is vibrant and diverse, with over 400 official student organizations offering a range of extracurricular, co-curricular, and athletic activities. Whether competing in Harvard Stadium, engaging in entrepreneurial projects at the Harvard Innovation Lab, or contributing to the Harvard Crimson newspaper, students enjoy a richly rewarding experience.
Harvard’s alumni network includes eight U.S. presidents, numerous foreign heads of state, 62 living billionaires, 359 Rhodes Scholars, and 242 Marshall Scholars. Graduates have achieved notable success, winning Pulitzer Prizes, Nobel Prizes, Academy Awards, and 108 Olympic medals. Regularly ranked as the top university in the world, Harvard continues to lead in academic excellence and achievement.
