Where is Harvard University located?
I've started looking at colleges and Harvard keeps coming up as one of the most well-known. But I'm confused about its actual location.
Is Harvard in Boston, Cambridge, or somewhere else entirely? Some of the information I've seen online seems to mention both cities. If you've visited or know more about the area, I'd appreciate any insight into where the campus actually is.
I'm from the Midwest and have never been to Massachusetts, so it's all pretty unfamiliar to me. Trying to get a sense of the campus environment too, if anything about the location makes it unique.
Is Harvard in Boston, Cambridge, or somewhere else entirely? Some of the information I've seen online seems to mention both cities. If you've visited or know more about the area, I'd appreciate any insight into where the campus actually is.
I'm from the Midwest and have never been to Massachusetts, so it's all pretty unfamiliar to me. Trying to get a sense of the campus environment too, if anything about the location makes it unique.
1 week ago
•
30 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 1 week ago
Advisor
Harvard University’s main campus is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, not in Boston itself. Cambridge is a city just across the Charles River from Boston, and while the two are neighbors, they are separate municipalities. When you visit the Harvard campus, you’ll find the classic Harvard Yard, libraries, and most undergraduate buildings right in the heart of Cambridge.
The confusion comes up because some of Harvard’s graduate schools and facilities are actually located in Boston. For example, the Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, and Harvard Dental School are all in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston, about three miles from the main undergraduate campus in Cambridge. But for undergrad life and the traditional Harvard experience, Cambridge is the place.
Cambridge itself has a very lively college-town vibe, largely because it’s also home to MIT just down the street, and is filled with coffee shops, bookstores, small restaurants, and parks. Harvard Square, which sits right at the edge of campus, is a major hub for student activity and is easily accessible by subway (called the T in Boston).
An example of what makes Harvard’s location unique: you get both a classic, historic college campus feel and easy access to a big city. From campus, you can hop on public transportation and be in downtown Boston in about 10-15 minutes. This is handy if you want to see museums, catch a sports game, or take part in internships and other opportunities that are available in a big city environment. Unlike some rural campuses, you’re not isolated, but you're also in a cozy, walkable college environment.
If you’re ever able to visit, you’ll see that Cambridge feels more like a traditional college town despite being so close to a major city. This balance is one reason why a lot of students are drawn to Harvard.
The confusion comes up because some of Harvard’s graduate schools and facilities are actually located in Boston. For example, the Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, and Harvard Dental School are all in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston, about three miles from the main undergraduate campus in Cambridge. But for undergrad life and the traditional Harvard experience, Cambridge is the place.
Cambridge itself has a very lively college-town vibe, largely because it’s also home to MIT just down the street, and is filled with coffee shops, bookstores, small restaurants, and parks. Harvard Square, which sits right at the edge of campus, is a major hub for student activity and is easily accessible by subway (called the T in Boston).
An example of what makes Harvard’s location unique: you get both a classic, historic college campus feel and easy access to a big city. From campus, you can hop on public transportation and be in downtown Boston in about 10-15 minutes. This is handy if you want to see museums, catch a sports game, or take part in internships and other opportunities that are available in a big city environment. Unlike some rural campuses, you’re not isolated, but you're also in a cozy, walkable college environment.
If you’re ever able to visit, you’ll see that Cambridge feels more like a traditional college town despite being so close to a major city. This balance is one reason why a lot of students are drawn to Harvard.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years