Is Harvard a good choice for someone interested in engineering?
I'm currently a junior and starting to look into colleges for engineering. Harvard keeps coming up because of its name, but I keep hearing different things about how strong its engineering programs are compared to places like MIT or Stanford.
Does anyone have insight into what the engineering experience at Harvard is really like? I’m especially curious about things like lab opportunities, how easy it is to work with professors, and overall job placement for engineers. If you’re actually there or know people who are, I’d really appreciate any details on what makes Harvard engineering unique or if it’s better to aim for a school with a more traditional engineering focus.
My main interests are computer science and mechanical engineering, and I want to make sure wherever I go, I’ll have good resources and support.
Does anyone have insight into what the engineering experience at Harvard is really like? I’m especially curious about things like lab opportunities, how easy it is to work with professors, and overall job placement for engineers. If you’re actually there or know people who are, I’d really appreciate any details on what makes Harvard engineering unique or if it’s better to aim for a school with a more traditional engineering focus.
My main interests are computer science and mechanical engineering, and I want to make sure wherever I go, I’ll have good resources and support.
6 months ago
•
113 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Harvard is definitely a respected name in every field, but its engineering programs are unique in comparison to places like MIT or Stanford, which are considered engineering powerhouses. While MIT and Stanford have larger, more specialized engineering schools with a wider range of faculty and research initiatives devoted specifically to engineering, Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) offers a smaller, more interdisciplinary experience.
A big upside at Harvard is the close-knit engineering community. Classes tend to be smaller, and students often say it’s fairly easy to connect with professors and get involved in research projects, even as early as your freshman year. For example, undergraduates can work in labs like the Wyss Institute (biologically inspired engineering), or get involved in hands-on projects at the Harvard Innovation Labs. Some students have even co-authored papers or worked on start-ups during their undergrad, thanks to this direct access to faculty.
One thing to consider: Harvard integrates engineering with a liberal arts curriculum, so you’ll take classes outside your technical major. Some students find this broadens their thinking, but others who want a more intensive, technical experience tend to prefer MIT or Caltech.
In terms of job placement, Harvard engineers generally do very well. Recruiters from top tech firms and startups come to campus, and alumni connections open a lot of doors; grads go into everything from big tech (like Google or Apple) to consulting, finance, and academia. The name recognition also helps with opportunities outside traditional engineering paths if you discover you want to shift focus down the line.
For a concrete example: a computer science concentrator at Harvard might join a research lab their second year, land a summer internship at a major tech company through on-campus recruiting, and do a senior capstone project with direct faculty mentorship. The flip side is that the mechanical engineering facilities and some resources are smaller and newer compared to long-established schools like Stanford, so it’s important to visit and get a feel for whether you want that environment.
If you want a school deeply steeped in engineering culture with vast course offerings and established networks in the field, MIT or Stanford might make more sense. But if you value close faculty interaction, the chance to explore subjects outside engineering, and want to leverage Harvard’s brand and networks, Harvard can be a fantastic choice. Reaching out to current students and visiting SEAS events is also a good way to get an inside look.
A big upside at Harvard is the close-knit engineering community. Classes tend to be smaller, and students often say it’s fairly easy to connect with professors and get involved in research projects, even as early as your freshman year. For example, undergraduates can work in labs like the Wyss Institute (biologically inspired engineering), or get involved in hands-on projects at the Harvard Innovation Labs. Some students have even co-authored papers or worked on start-ups during their undergrad, thanks to this direct access to faculty.
One thing to consider: Harvard integrates engineering with a liberal arts curriculum, so you’ll take classes outside your technical major. Some students find this broadens their thinking, but others who want a more intensive, technical experience tend to prefer MIT or Caltech.
In terms of job placement, Harvard engineers generally do very well. Recruiters from top tech firms and startups come to campus, and alumni connections open a lot of doors; grads go into everything from big tech (like Google or Apple) to consulting, finance, and academia. The name recognition also helps with opportunities outside traditional engineering paths if you discover you want to shift focus down the line.
For a concrete example: a computer science concentrator at Harvard might join a research lab their second year, land a summer internship at a major tech company through on-campus recruiting, and do a senior capstone project with direct faculty mentorship. The flip side is that the mechanical engineering facilities and some resources are smaller and newer compared to long-established schools like Stanford, so it’s important to visit and get a feel for whether you want that environment.
If you want a school deeply steeped in engineering culture with vast course offerings and established networks in the field, MIT or Stanford might make more sense. But if you value close faculty interaction, the chance to explore subjects outside engineering, and want to leverage Harvard’s brand and networks, Harvard can be a fantastic choice. Reaching out to current students and visiting SEAS events is also a good way to get an inside look.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years