Which Harvard House Are You Quiz

Are you more Lowell or Leverett? Dive into our definitive Which Harvard House Are You quiz to find out where your spirit truly belongs!

Hello Harvard applicants and freshmen! Harvard spirit has always been a bit (if not more) about competitiveness. And as your devoted HTG blog editor, and a Harvard alumna who once wandered the historic corridors and quads of Harvard, I’ve written much about the intricate, occasionally befuddling, pathways of the Harvard admission process. But today we’re gonna be just having fun with a personality quiz! 

Ah, Harvard! A place where the air is thick with ambition and where legacies are carved. Navigating the admissions maze is no small feat, and as hopeful Harvard applicants or new admissions, you are not merely up against stringent academic rigors, but also the challenge of finding where your unique persona fits in this iconic institution. For everyone, the journey to Harvard begins with the question, not just of “Will I get in?” but continues with the question  “Where will I belong once I’m in?”

So in today’s article, we’re not talking SAT scores, extracurriculars, or the ideal admissions essay (though rest assured, those essential topics are all written about so just check out our homepage if you need more of that). Instead, we’re indulging in a playful, yet revealing diversion: “Which Harvard House are you?” quiz.

Jump to quiz!

Now, don’t misconstrue this as a frivolous exercise. Beyond the fun façade of this quiz lies a deeper exploration into your personality, passions, and proclivities. It’s a bit like getting a feel for where you might find your Harvard ‘home’.

The 12 Harvard Houses

When we say “Harvard houses,” that means the residential houses at Harvard College, the undergraduate division of Harvard University (and even the grad schools – as mine was – but mostly undergrad). 

Here’s a list of all the 12 residential houses at Harvard – and alphabetized too, plus it also includes Dudley house which serves as the grad school “commons”:

1. Adams House
2. Cabot House
3. Currier House
4. Dudley House 
5. Dunster House
6. Eliot House
7. Kirkland House
8. Leverett House
9. Lowell House
10. Mather House
11. Pforzheimer House
12. Quincy House
13. Winthrop House

Each house functions as a sort of mini-campus, providing students with living accommodations, dining facilities, and various academic and extracurricular resources. So basically, their home for almost all of their time at Harvard. It’s where you meet friends, frenemies (hopefully not) and obviously potential dates and crushes! The houses are central to the undergraduate experience at Harvard.

Each house has its own unique traditions, events, and sense of community. And each has its own ethos, traditions, and quirks. After the first year of study, most students live in one of these houses. 

The ‘Personality’ of Each Harvard House

They’re microcosms within the larger Harvard cosmos, offering unique experiences that shape one’s experience. And while it’s true that every House is designed to provide a comprehensive Harvard experience, understanding their subtle differences can let you know about the myriad experiences awaiting you.

The house system was inspired in part by the college house systems at Oxford and Cambridge and is designed to offer a more intimate and supportive community within the larger university setting.

Harvard’s Houses, much like the university itself, are an array of diverse personalities, backgrounds, and interests. Surely, each Harvard House contains a diverse range of individuals and it’s an oversimplification to assign a singular “personality” to each. But that’s what we all love to do, don’t we – oversimplify things? After all, historically and anecdotally speaking, many of the Houses have developed reputations or particular characteristics based on their traditions, alumni, or popular perceptions.

So, here’s my take on the personalities of these Harvard Houses based on those long-standing perceptions:

1. Adams House: Known for its ornate architecture and creative vibe, Adams might be described as the “artistic, historical soul” of Harvard Houses. With its strong sense of tradition and beautiful interior spaces, it tends to attract those with a penchant for the arts.
2. Cabot House: Situated further from the Yard than most, Cabot might be the “independent spirit.” Its tight-knit community often stems from its location, fostering close relationships among its residents.
3. Currier House: With its modern architecture and lively social spaces, Currier can be the “friendly extrovert,” offering numerous social events.
4. Dudley Community: Serving non-residential students, Dudley could be seen as the “inclusive unifier.” It brings together a diverse set of students from various living situations.
5. Dunster House: After its recent renovation, Dunster might be the “sophisticated intellect” with its beautiful views of the Charles River and a strong sense of community.
6. Eliot House: Known for its lavish yearly dance, Eliot can be seen as the “elegant traditionalist.”
7. Kirkland House: With its small size and famous alumnus (Mark Zuckerberg), Kirkland might be the “ambitious innovator.”
8. Leverett House: One of the largest houses with a sprawling complex, Leverett might be the “social butterfly.”
9. Lowell House: With its iconic bell tower and central location, Lowell might be seen as the “heartbeat” of Harvard.
10. Mather House: Its high-rise tower distinguishes Mather, making it the “stand-out individualist” of the Houses.
11. Pforzheimer House: Located in the Radcliffe Quadrangle, “Pfoho” has a close-knit community, perhaps the “warm nurturer.”
12. Quincy House: Known for its modern amenities and social events, Quincy might be the “modern socialite.”
13. Winthrop House: With its recent renovation and long-standing traditions, Winthrop might be seen as the “balanced leader.”

Again, these are broad generalizations and every student’s experience within a house can vary greatly. The diverse group of students within each house ensures a wide range of personalities, interests, and backgrounds, regardless of any house’s general reputation. For example, while Adams house housed creatives like William Hearst and Robert Frost, it also was the home to leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt.

What Harvard House Are You Quiz

So here we are! Are you ready to discover where your spirit feels most at home in Harvard’s storied halls?

Of course, this is just a quiz for fun – and is unofficial like anything here – this exercise is not a predictor of your future House, nor is it a stringent metric of any sort. This quiz is all about reflecting, dreaming, and envisioning your potential fit within the Harvard family.

Let’s go!