Harvard

Harvard University is a private research university located primarily in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 by the Massachusetts Bay Colony, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Named after the minister John Harvard, whose endowment helped establish the college, Harvard adopted the motto Veritas (Truth). The university comprises Harvard College, its undergraduate program, and a federation of graduate and professional schools that include Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Business School, and the School of Public Health. Harvard is a member of the Ivy League and a leading center for teaching and research across disciplines.

Its campus spans Cambridge and nearby Boston, with facilities along the Charles River. The primary campus is in Cambridge, while professional schools and affiliated teaching hospitals operate in Boston and the surrounding cities. Harvard Library, the university’s library system, is one of the largest academic library networks in the world, providing extensive collections to support research across fields. The university also administers a broad array of museums and research centers.

Harvard maintains a selective admissions process, with admissions decisions weighing both academic achievement and broader contributions to campus life. The endowment is among the largest of any university, supporting financial aid, research initiatives, and facilities. Harvard has produced leaders in government, business, science, and the arts, including numerous Nobel laureates, Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, and thought leaders who have shaped public life.