When did Harvard University first open?
I'm trying to make my personal statement more unique by tying in some college history, and I wanted to know when exactly Harvard University first opened. Does anyone know the official year? Also, is there a specific story or event connected to its founding that colleges like to hear about? I'm researching and finding a lot of different historical context, but it'd be great to know the definite answer from someone who has looked into this while working on their applications.
1 week ago
•
23 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 1 week ago
Advisor
Harvard University was officially founded in 1636, making it the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. The college was initially called "New College" or "the college at New Towne" before it was renamed Harvard College in 1639 in honor of its first major benefactor, John Harvard, a young minister who donated his library and half his estate to the school upon his death.
If you want to include an interesting story about Harvard’s founding in your essay, you could mention how John Harvard's donation was pivotal. His gift of books (about 400 volumes) and money set a tradition for benefaction that has shaped Harvard ever since. Including this anecdote shows you’ve done your research and can add a unique angle to your essay—especially if you tie it into your own values of generosity, learning, or community building.
Another angle is how the college was originally created by vote of the Massachusetts Bay Colony with the aim of ensuring an educated clergy and a focus on "advancing learning and perpetuating it to posterity." That founding mission can be creatively connected to your own aspirations, particularly if your interests touch on education, leadership, or societal impact.
For example, if you’re interested in community service, you could highlight how the founding of Harvard was a community endeavor that required the contributions and vision of many people, not just John Harvard. That sets up a thoughtful parallel between the university's early collaborative spirit and your own commitment to service or leadership.
So, to recap: Harvard was founded in 1636, named for John Harvard in 1639.
If you want to include an interesting story about Harvard’s founding in your essay, you could mention how John Harvard's donation was pivotal. His gift of books (about 400 volumes) and money set a tradition for benefaction that has shaped Harvard ever since. Including this anecdote shows you’ve done your research and can add a unique angle to your essay—especially if you tie it into your own values of generosity, learning, or community building.
Another angle is how the college was originally created by vote of the Massachusetts Bay Colony with the aim of ensuring an educated clergy and a focus on "advancing learning and perpetuating it to posterity." That founding mission can be creatively connected to your own aspirations, particularly if your interests touch on education, leadership, or societal impact.
For example, if you’re interested in community service, you could highlight how the founding of Harvard was a community endeavor that required the contributions and vision of many people, not just John Harvard. That sets up a thoughtful parallel between the university's early collaborative spirit and your own commitment to service or leadership.
So, to recap: Harvard was founded in 1636, named for John Harvard in 1639.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years