What are the funny traditions of Harvard?

Harvard's funny traditions often involve stress relief and quirky rites of passage, like the Primal Scream (naked midnight runs), sneaking into the Widener Library stacks for secretive activities, and sometimes urinating on the John Harvard statue (though this is less common now). Other traditions include absurd house events like Dunster's goat roast, elaborate pranks, and quirky rituals tied to student groups.

What are the three traditions of Harvard?

Today, it is said that there are three things every Harvard student must do before graduating: pee on the John Harvard statue, run in Primal Scream, and have sex in the Widener stacks. Yet the lore of Harvard's "Three Things" only developed recently, with nude primal scream being unheard of just 20 years ago.

What's a fun fact about Harvard?

#Fact 1: Harvard University began its epic journey in 1636! It is the oldest higher education institution in the US - the true 'OG' of academic excellence! #Fact 2: Harvard's original location was not in Cambridge!

What is Harvard's culture like?

At Harvard, students are encouraged to explore their interests and embrace the subjects they are passionate about. The College has many traditions and festivities that celebrate the arts and the diverse communities that foster them.

What are the three lies of Harvard?

The "Three Lies of Harvard" refer to inaccuracies on the John Harvard statue, which state he was the founder, the year was 1638, and the likeness is his own; however, he was a benefactor, the college was founded in 1636, and the statue uses a student model, Sherman Hoar, as no portrait of John Harvard existed.
 

Weird Harvard Traditions!

What is the Harvard pee tradition?

"It's a tradition for tourists to touch the foot of John Harvard's statue for good luck. A lesser known tradition is that Harvard students are supposed to pee on that foot before they graduate." Never ever touch the foot!

Can a 2.5 GPA go to Harvard?

It's extremely unlikely, but theoretically possible, to get into Harvard with a 2.5 GPA, as they use holistic admissions, but it would require extraordinary achievements (like founding a major company, Nobel Prize, extreme athletic recruitment, or immense donations) or documented hardship to explain the low grades, as most admitted students have GPAs near 4.0. While a handful of students with GPAs in the 2.0-2.9 range are admitted, these are rare exceptions, often balanced by exceptional test scores or other unique factors, with many examples showing that even strong extracurriculars don't guarantee admission with low grades. 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Which Ivy has the happiest students?

Depends on the social environment your student is looking for. Brown and Yale tend to have the happiest students, if you trust the surveys. And Yale, Dartmouth and Princeton are reputed to have the strongest school spirit.

What is one thing that makes Harvard unique?

With world-renowned faculty, state-of-the-art resources, and individualized instruction, it's the perfect place to pursue your favorite and still-to-be-discovered academic interests.

What is the superstition about the gate at Harvard?

According to students and faculty, the main gate should only be walked through twice; once as a freshman and once as a senior graduated from Harvard. This is why the main gate is never open: the administration would not want someone to curse themselves with bad luck on accident.

What did the 13 Harvard students do?

Thirteen Harvard students had their degrees withheld at the 2024 graduation for participating in a pro-Palestinian encampment in Harvard Yard, violating university policies, but 11 later had their degrees conferred after meeting requirements, while two remained on probation. The students were part of campus protests calling for divestment from Israel, leading to disciplinary action like suspension and probation, which barred their immediate graduation, despite faculty votes to allow them to graduate.
 

What are fun facts about Harvard?

Harvard University was once known as “the college at New Towne” or “New College.” The first printing press in British North America was inaugurated in 1638 at the institution. The third-most well-known and photographed statue in the country is the Statue of Three Lies, which is situated in Harvard Yard.

What do you call Harvard graduates?

Alumni (AL) – An alumnus/alumna is defined as an individual who has received a degree from any school at Harvard University or Radcliffe College, including honorary degrees.

Why is the John Harvard statue's foot so shiny?

It's a university that doesn't just educate students, it shapes the future. When you visit Harvard Yard, there's one tradition you shouldn't miss: rubbing the left shoe of John Harvard's statue for good luck. The shoe shines brighter than the rest of the statue, a symbol of dreams, hard work, and belief.

Which ivy has the prettiest people?

1. Dartmouth College. Dartmouth's students are physically active, intelligent, and motivated. The healthy lifestyle is built into campus culture, making for a good-looking student body that photographs well in glossy marketing brochures (especially those hunky male lacrosse players!).

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

What is the #1 party school in the US?

According to recent rankings, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is frequently named the #1 party school in the U.S. for 2025-2026 by sources like Niche, recognized for its lively beach culture and social scene, followed by schools like Florida State University (FSU) and Tulane University. Rankings vary by publication, but UCSB consistently ranks high due to its active campus life, bars, Greek life, and overall party culture, notes Niche. 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

Is Oxford harder than Harvard?

Neither Oxford nor Harvard is definitively "harder"—they are both exceptionally difficult but in different ways, with Harvard generally having lower acceptance rates (making it tougher to get in) while Oxford's intense, subject-focused structure, particularly its final exams, presents a unique academic challenge. Harvard emphasizes a holistic review for well-rounded leaders, while Oxford focuses intensely on deep academic merit and subject mastery. 

What college has 100% acceptance?

Colleges with a 100% admission rate, often called "open admissions," focus on providing access, accepting most or all applicants who meet basic requirements, including Broward College, Utah Valley University, Cameron University, and Montana State University--Billings. Many other schools, like University of Mississippi and Nevada-Las Vegas, have acceptance rates above 90%, while selective institutions like Harvard and Caltech have rates below 10%.
 

Did Mark Zuckerberg get a 1600 on his SAT?

Yes, reports widely state that Mark Zuckerberg scored a perfect 1600 (or sometimes a near-perfect 1590) on his SAT, achieving top marks before attending Harvard University, consistent with his reputation as a gifted student and programmer.
 

What is the top 1% SAT score?

A top 1% SAT score generally starts around 1530 and above, with scores like 1530-1600 placing you in the 99th percentile, indicating exceptional performance, though exact thresholds shift slightly year to year with the test takers. A score of 1450+ is often cited as the top 10% or so, while 1500+ firmly puts you in the top 1-2% for college admissions, with scores like 1560+ often seen as competitive for top universities. 

Is a 6.0 GPA good for Harvard?

A 6.0 GPA is exceptional and generally excellent for Harvard, likely placing you in the top tier, especially if weighted; while Harvard averages around 4.18-4.2 weighted, a perfect score suggests outstanding achievement, but remember, admissions also heavily weigh challenging coursework (AP/IB), essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars for a holistic review.