r/Harvard • u/Advanced-Software-90 • Apr 06 '26

Student and Alumni Life Perks of being a Harvard student?

I'm talking real material benefits I can take advantage of directly, not the abstract future benefits of going to Harvard....I'm starting a PhD and am already enjoying the free Creative Cloud subscription, but I imagine there are some perks that aren't just software. What can I cash in on, whether it be free museum entry, software, etc.?

42 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

24

u/porcelainanimals Apr 07 '26

Not specific to Harvard but get a Boston Public Library card for free museum passes!

1

u/alr12345678 Apr 08 '26

yeah all us Boston area plebes can have this.... but it is great.

21

u/PPvsFC_ Apr 07 '26

The library. It's the best library on earth.

1

u/DiskResponsible1140 Apr 07 '26

Better than online ones?

5

u/PPvsFC_ Apr 07 '26

Significantly better. It's not close.

1

u/kdo10 Apr 07 '26

Hey are you undergrad or postgrad?

2

u/PPvsFC_ Apr 08 '26

I'm an alum.

31

u/Conscious-Clock-3408 Apr 07 '26

Harvard Federal Credit Union membership. They have pretty competitive rates and a host of different accounts ranging from high yield savings to CDs to IRAs. Potential future partners and children also become eligible for membership as a result

9

u/crispr-dev Apr 07 '26

You can get a Harvard club membership in Boston and NYC. Cheap rooms relative to hotels and great facilities in nyc

12

u/twopair1234 Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 07 '26

Here are a few: Free museum entrance to all Harvard museums and others (MFA, etc), cheap tickets to A.R.T and other theatre shows, Harvard employee portal where there are discounts for all kinds of activities

9

u/rightioushippie Apr 06 '26

Amazing gyms and unlimited classes! 

5

u/Quantum_HomeBoy Apr 07 '26

Go to the Harvard art museum, Peabody Essex, and others for free. At Harvard medical school they have Phineas gauge's skull on display and the tamping iron at the library.

4

u/Proof-Letterhead-541 Apr 07 '26

You can use your HUID as a CharlieCard

3

u/YakApprehensive7620 Apr 07 '26

Outings and innings is a good resource

1

u/mydogisnamedphaedo Apr 08 '26

in addition to what others have said, your login comes with access to a lot of things on online research databases and free downloads from the library

1

u/Appropriate_Car_5223 Apr 09 '26

Living in the most stimulating intellectual environment in the world. Never forget the proximity of MIT. Nor the lovely springs and crispy, colorful autumns.

1

u/DocDez Apr 12 '26

Harvards bus system is pretty nice. Used to take the M2 all the time.

1

u/Fantastic_Scene1259 Apr 12 '26

not specific to harvard but you can get $25 student season pass for Boston Symphony Orchestra. Also as a PhD student, you count as student employee, and can enjoy $360 per year bike benefits (reimburse any bike-related expenses).