I visited Stanford and UC Berkeley the summer before my senior year. I did overnight stays at Saint Mary’s College and UCLA to get a feel for the campuses. But, due to the tragic Boston Marathon bombing and ridiculous plane ticket prices, I did not visit Harvard ONCE before the weekend of move-in.
I had never been to Boston. I didn’t know what Harvard’s campus looked like or felt like. I was completely clueless.
So, I did what a girl had to do–I turned to Hollywood. There are tons of movies out there about Hahvahd’s traditions and students. But let me tell you, lots of them are extremely exaggerated. Now that I’ve had a year to experience the school for myself—and rewatch all of the movies numerous times, of course—I feel like I can tell you what exactly is and isn’t true about Harvard that you see in the films.
Love Story (1970) is the tale of a forbidden love that takes place at Harvard. Richie-rich Oliver, who’s so obviously a legacy it hurts, falls for pauper Jenny, a Radcliffe student. It’s tragic, it’s romantic, and it had the 70’s written all over it.
True: There is some controversy over “class” here at Harvard. While the university does its best to alleviate differences in financial circumstance with need-based aid and a uniform tuition price, the differences still come out when winter and spring breaks roll around and vacation plans are compared. However, I think that the majority of students here are extremely mature and understanding about the spectrum of class that we have here, and I have not seen it be a huge issue in relationships between individuals. Also—there are SO MANY adorable date ideas here at Harvard. Very real.
False: There is no longer a Radcliffe-Harvard divide. All women were officially integrated onto the main Harvard campus in 1973, and women and men now live together in dormitories and houses. Fun Fact: Women and men did not receive the same diplomas from Harvard until 1999! CRAZY! Also false—what girl is going to refuse to date Oliver Barrett IV?! Completely unrealistic.
What we can learn: It really is best not to stay in your comfort zone with the people here at Harvard. In fact, the Harvard Crimson just wrote a great article talking about this exact phenomenon. You learn more when you talk to people that come from different backgrounds than you. Who knows—maybe you’ll even fall in love!
Good Will Hunting (1997) actually is about an MIT janitor from the wrong side of the tracks who ends up being an inherent genius. However, his girlfriend is a Harvard senior and the best scene of the movie—
takes place at Harvard. So it counts. (Fun Fact—the donut store in this scene is right across the street from my dorm!)
True: There are good people at Harvard… and bad. There are open-minded, kind, intelligent men and women who appreciate wit and refreshing conversation. And there are also stuck-up, arrogant, book-reciting dipwads that try to flirt with you at a final club party just hours after they humiliated you in section and you’re just like—
There are SMART people here too. Smart people who think Organic Chem isn’t “that bad” and are busy creating incredible inventions. And even though it’s slightly intimidating being around these people… it’s also inspiring!
False: Do you know that scene where Skylar is just begging Will to admit he loves her? And he ends up telling her he doesn’t? But we all know he REALLY TRULY does? That’s the one problem with this movie. It gives the impression that people can be fixed and that we can know people better than they know themselves. Hopefully, us Harvard gals will have the self-respect to demand men who treat us with respect and love. Plus, Harvard Square shops go in and out like the seasons. So almost every single restaurant from this movie has been replaced by now. Bummer if you were hoping to recreate some scenes.
What we can learn: You never really know the lives of those around us. Every person has a back story. Secrets. Hardships. And I think this is especially applicable to the university workers. Look at Will Hunting. He was just a janitor. What I think people often forget is that Harvard’s employees do not work for us. They work for the university. We should treat them with the respect and the deference that we do the professors and the esteemed faculty.
Legally Blonde (2001) was probably personally my most watched movie. A bubbly and slightly naïve California sorority girl goes to Harvard Law School and tries to win back her snooty ex-boyfriend.
True: You can definitely tell where certain people are from! Even though it’s slightly exaggerated, I can spot a California native from a mile away. California girls look a lot like this for the first few months:
Then all of a sudden winter hits and we’re like:
Whereas New Englanders are pretty much always like
So put together! So chic and classy! So emotionally stable regardless of weather!!!
You really learn that geographical stereotypes are extremely valid.
False: Professors aren’t creepy. Or mean enough to kick you out of class on the very first day. They truly care about your education and really want to HELP you!
PS. Elle’s bunny costume is a much more common party outfit than Vivian’s outfit with tights and sweaters.
What we can learn: It can be difficult to remain true to yourself at Harvard with all of the gorgeous, intelligent, and fashionable people around you. But you have to try. Because it really is your unique qualities that got you into the school in the first placec. I mean, compare Elle Wood’s application video to her success in the courtroom. As silly as it seems, it was her savvy fashionista-ness that got her the victory in her trial!
And last but not least, The Social Network (2010). It is a semi-documentary on the founding of Facebook, focusing mostly on Mark Zuckerberg’s experience at Harvard.
True: Final clubs do make you jump through some hoops during punch season—especially males final clubs. Plus, final clubs are a huge part of the social life here on campus. And, it’s true that they’re mostly populated by BU and BC gals. Oh yeah, and the scene with the nerds doing shots while solving computer science problems? Hysterical—and such an accurate portrayal of the intersection of smarts and fun here at Harvard.
False: I have not personally heard of students scheduling appointments with our college president simply because their parents are huge donors. Hopefully people aren’t actually like that… And honestly, no kid here acts like they own this school just because they’re legacies. People on the whole are very respectful of the opportunity they’ve been given to study here. Unlike…
SO PRETENTIOUS!!!!
What we can learn: Zuckerberg (at least in the movie) made the mistake of focusing only on success. Making Facebook bigger, better, richer, was his only goal. He ended up alienating his friends and the only girl he ever really loved. I think we can learn from that. Never focus solely on one aspect of your college experience at the expense of the others. Have coffee with friends. Do your readings. And find an awesome club or two.
Oh and don’t piss off super hot, super rich rowers.
There you have it, ladies and gents! Harvard movie myths debunked! Do you have any truths or lies you think I missed? Comment below!