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Harvard University

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Great place to do a PhD, but many small annoyances. - Graduate Student Harvard University Employee Review

4.0
Jan 19, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Top notch faculty and students - Large and useful alumni network - Very interdisciplinary environment (at least in GSAS) - Stipend is quite high (though Boston is quite expensive...) - Hard to beat the Harvard name

Cons

- Ridiculous amount of bureaucracy and inefficient, antiquated practices - If you so much as sneeze, they charge you a fee (even though they have a HUGE endowment) - Cafeteria food is terrible and expensive, there are almost no restaurants near the northern campus area, and most restaurants in Harvard square (near the southern campus) are expensive (though some are good)

Explore other reviews about Harvard University

5.0
Jul 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Light work if you have the right team

Cons

Low pay for amount of work

2.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great Union and benefits for non-profits/higher ed. Wonderful colleagues outside of leadership!

Cons

GSD Development and Alumni Relations (under current leadership) is an incredibly toxic work environment. I didn't realize the intensity of the toll it took on my until after leaving, and I am not one to leave a negative review, but as they are hiring for several positions currently, I wish to share words of caution with applicants. Cons: - Absolutely not a safe space for anyone who is Black, brown, trans, queer, working-class, or disabled - 100% top-down direction. No room for personal exploration, initiative, or creativity. - Minimal guidance from leadership - Frequent pivots, even in the late stages of projects - Petty, immature talking behind your back by leadership - No upward mobility unless the Associate Dean or Dean like you - Deeply disingenuous comments, reflections, and feedback from leadership - Complete lack of transparency on direction, goals, etc. - Small mistakes are made cornerstones of performance evaluations, while leadership routinely missteps. Leadership never takes accountability. - Top-down policy decisions, completely lacking detail, thought, and care outside of legal ramifications - Ever-changing in-office requirements

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