Dear Pre-Frosh: Choose Harvard for Its People, Not the Brand.

Harvard isn’t as impressive as you may now find it — but that’s exactly why you should choose it.

Each year, freshly admitted students who attend Visitas, Harvard’s admitted students weekend, often come with a laundry list of attitudes towards and presuppositions about the University. Perhaps the prestige that surrounds the Harvard name is a compelling factor for possible attendance, or fears of hordes of snobby, elitist geniuses may disincentivize it.

Yes, Harvard is indeed prestigious, and you will find a share of people who are arrogant, incredibly difficult to deal with, and still (sometimes) frustratingly brilliant. But when the luster of prestige eventually wears off, you will be able to find a strong community that will be right for you. The majority of Harvard students are indeed extraordinary, but also kind, thoughtful, and will shape you for the better.

When I first came to Visitas, I was prepared for other prefrosh students to flex their SAT scores and how they invented life-changing apps that impacted millions globally. Because I was nothing close to a prodigy who has an endless list of overaccomplishments, I felt extremely intimidated. Instead, I was startled when I was instantly met with genuine people who simply wanted to know where I was from, or what my favorite movie was.

This sense of welcoming has not since waned, either. I’ve been making new friends every week despite my first year almost being over, sitting with other freshmen at the dining hall. The upperclassmen have been nothing but kind and helpful, helping me navigate the unfamiliar aspects of college I’ve yet to figure out.

My professors have been attentive to every student in the class, making sure each of us comprehends the subjects being taught, and willing to go the extra mile if I ever feel like I’m struggling.

Of course, this is not to say Harvard is not an intimidating place. You will still encounter, as Harvardians in the past have, incredible scholars, Olympians, endlessly talented artists, world-class writers, and more. But part of what makes Harvard so special is its normalcy within its exceptionality — living, working, and communing surrounded by what some might call the “best and brightest.”

The humanistic aspects of Harvard may not be why it is famous, but they are why it is worth it.

To address the elephant in the room, it is true that the University is still grappling with a continuous assault from the federal government. The political challenges Harvard is facing are indeed daunting, and more will likely arise before the end of the decade. But it is also true that the University has been successful in court thus far, and there is reason to believe we will continue to hold the line.

Yes, sometimes clubs are too competitive to get into. And, yes, even at Harvard, you will have bad days. But there are also ample resources available for support. These range from friendly librarians who will guide you step by step on finding book collections, robust academic advising systems, and plenty more. And there will always be a community for you to fall back on.

When you arrive on campus this weekend, judge Harvard by its people: this will be the community that will be with you throughout. Harvard is constantly evolving because of its people, and by surrounding yourself with a diverse group of individuals, you will be pushed to go out of your comfort zone and think in ways you never thought possible. By choosing Harvard, you are joining a community that will both intellectually stimulate you and support you every step of the way.

Be ready for the transformative experience that awaits you.

Ally Hwang ’29, a Crimson Editorial editor, lives in the DeWolfe housing complex.