Is Harvard a good choice for engineering majors?
I'm currently a junior interested in studying engineering in college, and everyone's always talking about Harvard, but I don't hear people mention their engineering program much. Is it considered strong compared to other top schools like MIT or Stanford? I'm not sure if it's worth applying there for engineering specifically, or if it's better to focus on schools that are more well-known for engineering.
Also, if anyone knows what life is like for engineering students at Harvard or what kinds of resources and opportunities they have, that would be awesome to hear about. I'm involved with robotics at my high school and want to keep doing hands-on projects in college, so that's a priority for me.
Planning my college list is getting overwhelming so any advice or insight would really help out.
Also, if anyone knows what life is like for engineering students at Harvard or what kinds of resources and opportunities they have, that would be awesome to hear about. I'm involved with robotics at my high school and want to keep doing hands-on projects in college, so that's a priority for me.
Planning my college list is getting overwhelming so any advice or insight would really help out.
4 months ago
•
99 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Harvard is undoubtedly an excellent university, but when it comes to engineering, it's often not the first name that comes up for top-notch programs, especially when compared to places like MIT, Stanford, or Caltech. Those schools are consistently ranked at the very top for engineering, both because of the breadth and depth of their programs and their strong ties to the tech industry and cutting-edge research.
That said, Harvard's engineering program, housed in the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), has been growing rapidly in terms of resources, faculty recruitment, and research initiatives. The new Science and Engineering Complex in Allston provides state-of-the-art labs and makerspaces. You’ll find opportunities to get involved in research, and the faculty-to-student ratio is quite favorable, which can mean more mentorship and networking opportunities. For students looking to work across disciplines—combining, say, computer science with government, economics, or design—Harvard’s flexibility and broader liberal arts context can be a real advantage.
For a hands-on student interested in robotics, Harvard does have clubs like the Harvard Undergraduate Robotics Club and offers project-based courses. However, the scale and scope of hands-on engineering experiences might be smaller than what you'd find at a place like MIT. For example, MIT's maker spaces are legendary, and their undergraduate participation in major robotics competitions is more prominent. At Harvard, while there are resources, they may not be quite as comprehensive, though the community tends to be more tight-knit because of its size.
One recommendation: if you enjoy working on projects and want to see cutting-edge tech in action, check out what kinds of capstone design courses, competitions, and student organizations each school offers. For instance, MIT students will point to their FIRST and BattleBots teams, while Stanford engineers are often involved in startup launches and research with Silicon Valley.
Ultimately, if engineering is your #1 priority and you want maximum access to specialized courses, facilities, and peers deeply immersed in engineering, MIT or Stanford will probably deliver a uniquely immersive experience. If you value a broader, interdisciplinary education or are especially drawn to Harvard’s particular campus culture and other non-engineering resources, it’s still worth applying. Many students double major or explore multiple interests at Harvard because the environment encourages it.
Consider visiting campuses, reaching out to current students (especially in robotics or engineering clubs), and checking out the course offerings and labs for each school. This will give you the clearest sense of where you’ll thrive, both academically and personally.
That said, Harvard's engineering program, housed in the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), has been growing rapidly in terms of resources, faculty recruitment, and research initiatives. The new Science and Engineering Complex in Allston provides state-of-the-art labs and makerspaces. You’ll find opportunities to get involved in research, and the faculty-to-student ratio is quite favorable, which can mean more mentorship and networking opportunities. For students looking to work across disciplines—combining, say, computer science with government, economics, or design—Harvard’s flexibility and broader liberal arts context can be a real advantage.
For a hands-on student interested in robotics, Harvard does have clubs like the Harvard Undergraduate Robotics Club and offers project-based courses. However, the scale and scope of hands-on engineering experiences might be smaller than what you'd find at a place like MIT. For example, MIT's maker spaces are legendary, and their undergraduate participation in major robotics competitions is more prominent. At Harvard, while there are resources, they may not be quite as comprehensive, though the community tends to be more tight-knit because of its size.
One recommendation: if you enjoy working on projects and want to see cutting-edge tech in action, check out what kinds of capstone design courses, competitions, and student organizations each school offers. For instance, MIT students will point to their FIRST and BattleBots teams, while Stanford engineers are often involved in startup launches and research with Silicon Valley.
Ultimately, if engineering is your #1 priority and you want maximum access to specialized courses, facilities, and peers deeply immersed in engineering, MIT or Stanford will probably deliver a uniquely immersive experience. If you value a broader, interdisciplinary education or are especially drawn to Harvard’s particular campus culture and other non-engineering resources, it’s still worth applying. Many students double major or explore multiple interests at Harvard because the environment encourages it.
Consider visiting campuses, reaching out to current students (especially in robotics or engineering clubs), and checking out the course offerings and labs for each school. This will give you the clearest sense of where you’ll thrive, both academically and personally.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years