What majors is Harvard best known for?
I'm starting to put together my college list, and Harvard is definitely one of the schools I'm interested in. I know it's super prestigious and has a ton of different programs, but I'm wondering what majors Harvard is really famous for. Like, are there specific areas that people really try to get into there?
I'm looking at a few different subjects (mostly leaning toward social sciences or maybe pre-med), but I'd love to hear from people who know more about which majors at Harvard have the best reputation or are the strongest academically. If anyone has experience with certain departments or knows about any unique programs Harvard offers, I'm all ears!
Trying to figure out if Harvard actually lines up with what I want to study, or if there are other schools that might be a better fit for me. Any thoughts or personal experience would help.
I'm looking at a few different subjects (mostly leaning toward social sciences or maybe pre-med), but I'd love to hear from people who know more about which majors at Harvard have the best reputation or are the strongest academically. If anyone has experience with certain departments or knows about any unique programs Harvard offers, I'm all ears!
Trying to figure out if Harvard actually lines up with what I want to study, or if there are other schools that might be a better fit for me. Any thoughts or personal experience would help.
1 week ago
•
20 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 1 week ago
Advisor
Harvard’s reputation is strong across nearly every academic field, but a few majors and departments stand out, both historically and in the present day. Its social sciences programs—like Government (Political Science), Economics, Sociology, and Psychology—are among the most famous. The Economics department, in particular, is known for its faculty, Nobel laureates, and influential research. Government and Social Studies are also extremely popular, offering access to high-profile professors, research institutes, and internship opportunities in the Boston/Cambridge area.
For students interested in pre-med, Harvard doesn’t have a specific “pre-med” major, but its Biology, Chemistry, Human Evolutionary Biology, and Molecular and Cellular Biology programs are rigorous and well-respected. Many pre-med students major in one of these sciences or even in something like History of Science, and use Harvard’s advising and connections to secure research, clinical, and volunteer experiences that boost medical school prospects.
Another standout area is the Humanities, especially English and History. These departments have produced many acclaimed writers, historians, and public figures. The Psychology program is also a draw, balancing cutting-edge research with clinical applications.
One unique academic option at Harvard is the Social Studies major. This is an interdisciplinary concentration that allows you to design your own course of study combining politics, history, philosophy, and economics. It’s especially popular among students interested in complex societal problems or public service, and students often use this as a springboard into top graduate programs or public sector careers.
Harvard’s main strength, though, is its flexibility and the vast resources available for exploration: cross-registration with MIT, opportunities to do research as an undergraduate, and a wide range of electives. For example, a friend of mine went in wanting to do biology, but after taking a social science seminar on global health, she switched gears and created her own focus within Social Studies on public health policy.
If social sciences or pre-med are your focus, Harvard’s reputation and offerings are hard to beat. However, make sure to consider the style of learning and campus culture as well—the academic intensity, focus on extracurriculars, and the large class sizes (at least in intro classes) at Harvard might not be for everyone. Still, for students in your areas of interest, Harvard is definitely among the best.
For students interested in pre-med, Harvard doesn’t have a specific “pre-med” major, but its Biology, Chemistry, Human Evolutionary Biology, and Molecular and Cellular Biology programs are rigorous and well-respected. Many pre-med students major in one of these sciences or even in something like History of Science, and use Harvard’s advising and connections to secure research, clinical, and volunteer experiences that boost medical school prospects.
Another standout area is the Humanities, especially English and History. These departments have produced many acclaimed writers, historians, and public figures. The Psychology program is also a draw, balancing cutting-edge research with clinical applications.
One unique academic option at Harvard is the Social Studies major. This is an interdisciplinary concentration that allows you to design your own course of study combining politics, history, philosophy, and economics. It’s especially popular among students interested in complex societal problems or public service, and students often use this as a springboard into top graduate programs or public sector careers.
Harvard’s main strength, though, is its flexibility and the vast resources available for exploration: cross-registration with MIT, opportunities to do research as an undergraduate, and a wide range of electives. For example, a friend of mine went in wanting to do biology, but after taking a social science seminar on global health, she switched gears and created her own focus within Social Studies on public health policy.
If social sciences or pre-med are your focus, Harvard’s reputation and offerings are hard to beat. However, make sure to consider the style of learning and campus culture as well—the academic intensity, focus on extracurriculars, and the large class sizes (at least in intro classes) at Harvard might not be for everyone. Still, for students in your areas of interest, Harvard is definitely among the best.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years