Why
Chose Harvard:
A House System That Continues to
Cultivate Top Talent
Renaldo Pearson, Academic Coordinator &
Acting House Administrator (Chief Operating Officer)
John Winthrop House, Harvard College
Abstract:
Did you know that Harvard’s freshmen dining hall (Annenberg Hall) was modeled after the
same Oxford University dining hall (The Hall at Christ Church) that inspired the dining hall
(Great Hall) of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies?
Did you know that Harvard has three-times as many Houses as Hogwarts?
Did you know that Harvard’s Straus Cup and its intramural sports competitions, among the
Houses, preceded Hogwarts’ House Cup and its Department of Magical Games and Sports?
The fictional wizard prodigy, Harry Potter, went to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry. But Hogwarts, in many ways, was modeled after Harvard (this probably explains
why Harry Potter creator, J.K. Rowling, suggested during her commencement address at
Harvard a few years ago, that Harvard’s commencement ceremony could very well pass for
“the world’s largest Gryffindor reunion.”) And in reality, talented prodigy from across the
globe choose Harvard to cultivate their gifts and enable them to change the world. Whether
aiming to be the next John F. Kennedy, Al Gore, Ben Bernanke, Bill Gates, or Mark
Zuckerberg — to name just a few of our notable alumni — the world’s top high school
graduates choose Harvard because of the indelible, character-building experience that it
promises.
This experience, predicated on the residential college or House system (inspired by that of
Cambridge and Oxford universities), in turn, prepares them to lead successful and fulfilling
lives.
The Hall at Christ’s Church, Oxford University
Annenberg Hall, Harvard College
The Great Hall of Hogwarts
Hogwarts
Harvard
Hogwarts’ House Cup
Harvard’s Straus Cup
Of course Harry Potter didn’t really choose Harvard.
He is fictitious, after all. But the real child prodigies
do choose Harvard and they go on to be the John F.
Kennedys, Al Gores, Ben Bernankes, Bill Gates, and
Mark Zuckerbergs of the world.
This is largely due to the rich character-building
experience that all of our students receive through
our House (or residential college) system.
So what makes our House System successful?
How does it work?
1) Administrative Staff & Tutors (Senior Common Room)
a) 2 Faculty Deans
b) Assistant Dean
c) Academic Coordinator
d) House Administrator
e) Building Manager
f) 20 Resident Tutors (day-to-day advising)
g) 50+ Non-Resident Tutors (professional advising)
2) Community & Shared Identity
a) Shield and Latin Motto: “Spes Vincit Thronum” or
“Hope Conquers the Throne” (The mission of Harvard College is
to educate the citizens and citizen-leaders for our society. We do this through
our commitment to the transformative power of a liberal arts and sciences
education.)
b) Facilities (Dining Hall, SCR, JCR, Library, Court Yards)
c) House Intramurals, and other special events and
programming
d) Commencement (Diplomas awarded at each House)
Why
Chose Harvard:
A House System That Continues to
Cultivate Top Talent
Renaldo Pearson, Academic Coordinator &
Acting House Administrator (Chief Operating Officer)
John Winthrop House, Harvard College