What is the A.D. Club at Harvard and how does joining work?
I've heard a bit about Final Clubs at Harvard, specifically the A.D. Club, and I'm trying to understand what exactly it is. From what I can tell, it's some kind of exclusive social club, but I'm confused about how students get involved. Is there a process or invitation, or do you just apply?
I'm also interested in what the overall vibe is like—do a lot of people join, or is it more of a niche thing? If anyone has experience or firsthand knowledge about the club, what are some of the benefits or drawbacks? I want to know more about what daily life looks like for members and whether it has any impact on academics or social opportunities on campus.
Any insight from current students or recent graduates would be awesome! I'm a junior who might consider Harvard, so I'm trying to get a feel for all the different aspects.
I'm also interested in what the overall vibe is like—do a lot of people join, or is it more of a niche thing? If anyone has experience or firsthand knowledge about the club, what are some of the benefits or drawbacks? I want to know more about what daily life looks like for members and whether it has any impact on academics or social opportunities on campus.
Any insight from current students or recent graduates would be awesome! I'm a junior who might consider Harvard, so I'm trying to get a feel for all the different aspects.
2 months ago
•
196 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 2 months ago
Advisor
The A.D. Club is one of Harvard’s historic Final Clubs, which are all-male social organizations that are independent from the university. The A.D. Club has been around since the 1800s and is known for its exclusivity, long-standing traditions, and private clubhouse. Membership is relatively small compared to the broader Harvard population, so it is definitely more of a niche group than something most students take part in.
Joining a Final Club like the A.D. Club happens through an invitation-based process called "punching." You can't formally apply the way you would for a regular campus club. Instead, current members host events and invite selected sophomores and juniors to attend. After several rounds of social events ("punch events"), members vote on whom they'd like to offer membership. The process is secretive, and not everyone who is invited to punch is offered membership in the end.
Daily life as a member can include social events like formal dinners, themed parties, and the use of the club's private facilities for studying, relaxing, or networking. The club spaces are known for being some of the more luxurious student spaces on campus, sometimes compared to private gentlemen’s clubs. While members can build lasting friendships and access certain networking opportunities (especially with alumni), membership can also come with social drawbacks. For example, there has been ongoing debate at Harvard about inclusivity, and joining a Final Club sometimes carries a certain social stigma among students who view them as out-of-touch or overly exclusive.
Overall, most Harvard students don't join Final Clubs, and you can have a vibrant, busy social and academic life without being involved. If you do end up at Harvard and are curious about club culture, it's worth keeping an open mind but also understanding the full picture—the exclusivity, time commitment, and mixed campus reputation.
Joining a Final Club like the A.D. Club happens through an invitation-based process called "punching." You can't formally apply the way you would for a regular campus club. Instead, current members host events and invite selected sophomores and juniors to attend. After several rounds of social events ("punch events"), members vote on whom they'd like to offer membership. The process is secretive, and not everyone who is invited to punch is offered membership in the end.
Daily life as a member can include social events like formal dinners, themed parties, and the use of the club's private facilities for studying, relaxing, or networking. The club spaces are known for being some of the more luxurious student spaces on campus, sometimes compared to private gentlemen’s clubs. While members can build lasting friendships and access certain networking opportunities (especially with alumni), membership can also come with social drawbacks. For example, there has been ongoing debate at Harvard about inclusivity, and joining a Final Club sometimes carries a certain social stigma among students who view them as out-of-touch or overly exclusive.
Overall, most Harvard students don't join Final Clubs, and you can have a vibrant, busy social and academic life without being involved. If you do end up at Harvard and are curious about club culture, it's worth keeping an open mind but also understanding the full picture—the exclusivity, time commitment, and mixed campus reputation.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years