I was on a business trip to Boston last week and took the opportunity to visit Harvard and MIT. This was just a tourist trip, there was no time to do any Admissions research.

Harvard Yard in Springtime

Harvard is beautiful at this time of year.

Everyone hears about New England foliage in the Fall. But the Spring time is wonderful. The trees in Harvard yard were full of blossom.

There were no students in sight. Studying for Final Exams must keep them all inside.

Step outside the walls of Harvard Yard and the Square is an exciting urban environment. It’s under construction right now. A little dig in Cambridge that’s no competition for the multi-billion dollar Big Dig across the river in Boston.

MIT Museum is worth a visit

Down Mass Ave from Harvard Sq. there’s the MIT Science Museum where you can easily spend a couple of hours.

I was fascinated by the hands-on exhibits where you can play with the controls of an undersea probe. Upstairs on the second floor there’s a wonderful array of robot arms.

I was impressed by a video of MIT faculty and students talking about the breadth of education offered. Here’s some quotes from posters on display about the background and purpose of MIT:

“MIT focuses on science and technology, focuses that have transformed and defined the modern world. Yet, the education of scientists and engineers is one of the great unknown stories in this history…”

“Mens et Manus. MIND AND HAND. For nearly 150 years this educational ideal has defined MIT, a dynamic, imaginative, and fiercely competitive academic community dedicated to learning, research and leadership. Individuals who seek intellectual challenges, who want to make new discoveries or solve difficult problems, have always been drawn here.”

If you’re planning to tour New England colleges, even if Harvard and MIT are not on your list, it’s well worth a visit to these world-class institutions of higher education.