At Harvard, the social dynamic between first-years and upperclassmen is stark. Compared to other universities, this culture of first-year-isolation is deeply embedded—first-years all live together in the yard and eat every meal in the same dining hall, upperclassmen are seldom found at majority first-year parties, and most organization structures strictly separate new compers from staff (except the Indy, of course). As a result, the pipeline for genuine advice filtered from upperclassmen to first-years is scant.
Don’t you wish you had a guiding figure to give you the tough, unpolished lessons you needed to properly survive Harvard? Luckily, there is one fateful weekend in which Harvard upperclassmen and first-years alike can reach out to the younger students: Visitas. For just a few days, all admitted students are invited to stay with current Harvard students as they participate in event programming to learn more about the school.
As a host, the power is overwhelmingly in your hands to shape your pre-frosh’s first impression of Harvard. You have the unique opportunity to either glamorize the University or prepare students for the less attractive parts. Visitas is quickly approaching on the weekend of April 23rd-April 24th, so do not forget to sign up to host an incoming student and implement the following tips and tricks for your pre-frosh!
- In the event of a rat…
Particularly if you live in Canaday, Kirkland, or Eliot, rodent sightings are not unusual. If a furry friend decides to stop-in just in time for Visitas, fear not! Here is what to do:
First, tell the clueless pre-frosh that Yale’s rats are bigger, especially if you know they are also attending Bulldog Days, Yale’s Visitas equivalent. If that doesn’t seem to soothe their worries, send them the Harvard Mice FAQ and highlight the quote explaining how living with mice can help “in appreciating nature and in responding to life’s little challenges.” Third, and mandatory regardless of the success of the first or second steps, make your pre-frosh call Yard-Ops for rodent traps.
Pros: The experience builds rapport with the staff early on. So, as future first-years, they eventually lose their room key, they’ll already be well-acquainted with a few friendly faces (and rodents!)
Cons: The forced responsibility and culture of normalcy surrounding the rodents may perturb those not yet committed to Harvard. But if a student isn’t even hardened enough to handle an innocuous critter, how can we expect them to face this school’s other challenges? To fight for a spot in the Widener Reading Room during reading week? To wait in Jefe’s 2 AM line? To rally for Harvard vs. Yale? The incoming class must be prepared and battle-ready.
- Real directions don’t exist.
When your pre-frosh asks for directions to your dorm, do not give them a real address. As far as they know, names for houses either do not exist or you never bothered to check what yours was. If they continue to press, give them obscure directions consisting of no more detail than to “turn left at the red brick building.” When they’ve completed enough laps through the yard to identify every major building, finally give them your address. They will have earned it by then.
Pros: This practice undoubtedly instills self-sufficiency and resilience in the new class. Close attention to direction detail is undeniably useful for navigating campus and classroom buildings: They’re less likely to confuse Lowell House and Lowell Lecture Hall and they’ll know exactly how long it takes to get to Annenberg (particularly useful when running late to dinner). Most importantly, after growing well-acquainted with campus because of their little adventure, an official tour will no longer be necessary!
Cons: They might be a tad annoyed by the time they arrive at your humble abode. Feed them a Truly and a compliment, and they’ll be back in tip-top shape in no time. By the time they recover, let them know that Annenberg is by the SOCH.
- There’s a Quad Shuttle?
When your little pre-frosh inevitably must find their way to the SOCH for the extracurricular fair, tell them to bring a packed lunch for the hike. Don’t outwardly lie to them, but you may consider omitting evidence of the shuttle to teach them crucial life lessons: not only should you not take everyone’s advice on face value, but also do not fear a little afternoon walk. Independent exploration is an extremely necessary skill to surviving Harvard, both inwardly, in regard to self growth, and externally, in regard to navigating Harvard’s convoluted campus.
Pros: Rather than anger, your pre-frosh will make the discovery very early on that you should only rely on yourself to uncover solutions to Harvard’s faults—which is exactly the self-sufficient mindset incoming first-years, many of whom have never lived alone, need to survive. Eventually, they will thank you.
Cons: They might actually enjoy the walk and become a Quad-sympathizer.
- Dress to impress (at Tasty Basty).
Any pre-frosh who plans to have some fun at Harvard must attend a notorious Tasty Basty party, a location known for its absolute ragers, during Visitas. On April 22nd, the Harvard Independent will be inviting all current and visiting students to Tasty Burger Basement to celebrate our Weed (4/20) Issue. Crucially, do not forget to inform your pre-frosh of the basement’s exceptionally low temperatures and subsequent need to bring multiple layers of their finest attire (a North Face and heat-tech thermals are not just recommended, they are absolutely necessary).
Pros: Directs pre-frosh to the wildest party of the school year. Come on, it’ll be hosted by the Indy, after all.
Cons: Sweaty. Really sweaty.
- Most importantly, on a real note, soothe the Harvard fears.
Your pre-frosh will be a mix of nerves, anxiety, and stress. With no knowledge of campus, clubs, or future friends, Visitas is equally daunting as it is exciting. Do your part to alleviate some of your guest’s worries. Share your experience as a former first-year student, remind them that not making Visitas friends does not matter at all, and explain that any feelings of embarrassment are equally shared by everyone.
Pros: Offers up a conversation most of us would have very much appreciated coming into Harvard, giving your pre-frosh some much-needed comfort and confidence from a source with experience.
Cons: Absolutely none.
Although, even if you decide not to follow any of these well-elucidated tips and tricks, it may not matter that much. Harvard’s yield rate is by far the highest amongst the Ivies at 84.17%. (If you were curious, Yale’s is 69.70%.) The point is these kids will probably come here anyways. Why not have a little fun while hosting?
Don’t forget to sign up to host a pre-frosh this year!
Katy Lin ’26 (katylin@college.harvard.edu) does not remember anyone she met during Visitas.
Sophia Mora-Ortega ’26 (sophiamoraortega@college.harvard.edu) met Katy Lin at Visitas.