Prefrosh
Be a Great Prefrosh Host
I was never a prefrosh at Visitas, I never officially hosted a prefrosh, and I don't even know what the word Visitas means (is it Latin or a pun?). I did however, own a dog, and I'm pretty sure that means I’m qualified to give advice on how to host prefrosh.
The Prefrosh You Meet at Visitas
Remember Visitas? That magical weekend when you acquainted yourself with your potential new home and met your fellow brilliant overachievers was not so long ago. As future members of the Class of 2017 prepare to come to campus sooner than you can say "advising fortnight," take a few minutes to walk down memory lane with us. By the way, for all you prefrosh out there: Hey there, future members of the Class of 2017! Welcome to Flyby. We've put together a little classification of the types of the characters you are likely to meet. See if you can spot these various species throughout the weekend.
Snail Mail
Senior Admissions Officer David L. Evans emerges from the Admissions Office with the first box of acceptance letters for the class of 2017, to be loaded onto a waiting mail truck, on Wednesday as his fellow admissions officers cheer. After an hour-long delay in the arrival of the truck, Admissions Office employees formed an assembly line to send off regular decision acceptance packets and rejection letters.
The 81 Percent: Why They Chose Harvard
This year's high yield rate of 81 percent for Harvard admits—up four percent from last year—only proves that playing "hard to get" can work.
Indecision
Exactly 2,032 students were accepted to the class of 2016, and those who haven't already committed must make a decision tomorrow. While we here at Flyby know the choice is obvious, we offer this playlist to any prospective students still grappling with indecision.
MADE: Prefrosh Edition
While the age discrepancy is small, the gap between a prefrosh and a Harvard student is large. With their red Visitas folders and herd mentality, prefrosh spent the past weekend walking around Harvard Yard with wide eyes and dangling lanyards. It is easy to forget that that was us a few years ago. From living at home and taking AP tests to living in dorms and pulling all-nighters, how can a high school senior smoothly make the transition? Silas M. Farley is an ordinary prefrosh: naive, confused, and still immersed in high school. Can he discover his inner Ivy Leaguer and be MADE into a Harvard student?
Undercover Prefrosh
Having tragically missed Visitas as an actual prefrosh, I felt as if I was lacking a fundamental aspect of the Harvard Experience. This past weekend, I finally got my chance (again). Taking advantage of my journalistic skills and one semester of seventh grade drama class, I went undercover to experience the life of a prefrosh.
Prefrosh Talk Harvard Athletics
Students admitted to the class of 2016 talk about Harvard athletics.
Getting Directions
After attending a Lacrosse game, visiting mother and daughter from Connecticut take a break by shielding from the rain in Straus Common Room. They both decided to use this time to get acquainted with the area through one of the maps available in the room.
1,300 Prefrosh Flood Campus During Visitas Weekend
Descending upon Harvard en masse, prospective members of the Class of 2016 scurried from event to event this weekend to get a taste of life on campus before making their final decisons.
Prefrosh Outing in the Square
To avoid the crowd at Annenberg Sunday Afternoon,visiting students Elizabeth Melamphy and Diana Cheng have lunch at Panera. Both girls went to high school in Dunsteable, Massachussetts and attended many events together over the weekend.
Harvard Thinks Big at Visitas
As part of the Visitas event formatted as a model of "Harvard Thinks Big," Professor Timohty McCarthy addresses visiting members of the class of 2016 in Sanders Theather. McCarthy's lecture was titled "Protest Nation:Tea Parties, Occupations and the Soul of America."
Parents Question Answer
During an event for parents of the class of 2016, a couple from California gets their questions answered by a freshman volunteering for the Undergraduate Admissions Council. The parents were looking to hear first hand strories about student life on campus to help their son make a decision after the visiting weekend was over.
Free Shirts for Hosts
The Undergraduate Admissions Office distributed t-shirts to undergraduates hosting admitted students to thank them for their contributions to Visitas Weekend.
Freshmen Hosts
The common room of a freshmen suite was used to host two visiting students from the class of 2016. The room residents; Lianna Llewellyn '15 and Camara Shaperson '15 were prepared to receive their two visitors with inflatable mattresses and a camping bed.
The Upperclassmen Guide to Visitas
Enjoy awkward silences and endless introductions? We've compiled a list of the highlights of this year's Visitas weekend.
Don't Be That Prefrosh
You've seen them before. Heck, once upon a time you even were one. Yes, the prefrosh will arrive this weekend. And, as expected, many of them will be anxious to see the world that is Harvard, scared that they might not fit in, yet hopeful that they'll be lucky enough to find some new friends. Before you hosts out there lose your new admits to the multitude of events and celebrations going on this weekend, you might consider laying some ground rules—you know, so your prefrosh doesn't slowly morph into that prefrosh. High school seniors, take note: here's how to avoid being the talk of the town before you even enroll.
Prefrosh Poser
This weekend our campus will be invaded by swarms of disoriented high school students trying to pass off as 21 as they wander endlessly in search of Annenberg. But prospective students aren't the only ones who can lie about their identity this weekend. Current students can, too! Here are some tips to help you infiltrate the world of prefrosh (and perhaps retaliate) during their short stay.
Prospective Freshmen Due To Visit Campus
Approximately 1,310 eager prefrosh will surge through Harvard’s gates this weekend for Visitas, Harvard College’s visiting program for admitted students.
Hey Prefrosh! Here's Some Real Harvard Lingo
Hey prefrosh, this one's for you. You're obviously smart enough to get into Harvard, but are you smooth enough to pass as a current student? Here are some key terms to help you sound like a true Harvardian during Visitas. Study the words and phrases below before you get to campus and no one will ever know you're a prefrosh.