Beyond boosting your resume, extracurricular activities at Harvard shape your college experience in real and lasting ways. With over 470 student organizations and countless opportunities to get involved in service, sports, and student communities, which Harvard extracurriculars are the best fit for you?
This guide breaks down everything you need to know to find the right Harvard clubs that match your time, goals, and interests.
- What Are the Different Extracurricular Activities at Harvard?
- Student-Run Clubs and Organizations at Harvard
- Harvard Athletics and Club Sports
- Public Service and Outreach at Harvard
- ROTC and Service Programs at Harvard
- How to Find the Right Harvard Clubs and Activities for You
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
What Are the Different Extracurricular Activities at Harvard?
Extracurricular activities at Harvard serve as a space to explore what matters most to you, all while building a community with fellow Crimsons. Not sure where to start? Here’s a quick look at the Harvard clubs and activities you’ll find on campus:
- Clubs and student-run groups. Explore your interests and meet new people through Harvard extracurriculars in academics, arts, culture, and more.
- Athletics and club sports. Stay active across the campus’ competitive varsity teams, club sports, or casual intramural leagues.
- Leadership and outreach. Get a chance to lead and make a difference in Harvard’s student government or public service programs.
- ROTC and structured service programs. Train for national service and develop leadership skills with ROTC and MIT-affiliated military programs.
Each extracurricular is a unique way to participate in campus life. If you’re unsure which one fits the Crimson in you, it starts with exploring what’s available. Read more below for a detailed look at each category.
Student-Run Clubs and Organizations at Harvard
With more than 470 recognized student groups, Harvard’s long list of clubs has something for every Crimson. Here’s a closer look at key types of Harvard clubs and activities you can try out:
Academic and pre-professional
Academic and pre-professional clubs at Harvard help you expand skills beyond the classroom. These Harvard extracurriculars bring you closer to fields like tech, business, and more:
- Harvard Computer Society (HCS). Hosts coding workshops, CS speaker events, and tech projects for students interested in computing and digital innovation.
- Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business (HUWIB). Supports women pursuing business careers through conferences, networking events, and leadership programs.
- Harvard Investment Association (HIA). Offers hands-on investing experience and industry insight through finance events and semester-long lectures.
- Harvard Undergraduate Engineering Society (HUES). Organizes panels, networking BBQ nights, and projects that support student growth in engineering.
College life
Outside of academics, extracurricular activities at Harvard give you the chance to make campus feel more like home. If planning events and bringing Crimsons together sounds like your kind of Harvard activity, these college life organizations are great platforms to boost campus spirit and student experience:
- First-Year Social Committee (FYSC). Plans and sponsors events like the First-Year Formal exclusively for first-years to connect, build community, and settle into college life.
- College Events Board (CEB). Organizes campus-wide events for all undergraduates, including concerts, seasonal celebrations, and Harvard traditions like the annual Yardfest.
Creative and performing arts
Creative and performing arts groups at Harvard give you the stage to express yourself, hone your craft, and grow your talent. So if you’re looking for a platform to bring your work to life, these student-led Harvard activities offer real opportunities in the performing and visual arts:
- Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club (HRDC). Produces dozens of student-led theater productions each year and offers hands-on roles in acting, directing, and stagecraft.
- Harvard LowKeys. A co-ed a cappella group known for award-winning contemporary vocal arrangements and standout campus performances, open to all by audition.
- Hasty Pudding Theatricals. Stages annual student-written burlesque musicals and leads outreach programs that support local arts education.
- Conflux. Brings together artists and technologists to explore creative technology and experimental arts through collaborative projects, public events, and an annual residency.
- Harvard College Opera Society. Runs a full season of student-produced concerts and performances that bring opera to the Harvard community and beyond.
Cultural and racial initiatives
Harvard is also home to groups that celebrate identity and culture. If you’re looking for a meaningful community that promotes inclusion, raises awareness for underrepresented voices, and honors your heritage on campus, these student-led groups should be at the top of your Harvard clubs list:
- Black Students Association (BSA). Provides Black students with a community to connect, celebrate culture, and discuss shared needs and experiences.
- Harvard Philippine Forum (HPF). Promotes Filipino heritage through educational events, community engagement, and service trips to the Philippines during J-term.
- Harvard-Radcliffe Asian American Association (AAA). Supports Asian and Asian American students through cultural events, social justice initiatives, and peer advocacy.
- Harvard Fuerza Latina. Hosts cultural celebrations and community programs that support Latinx students and amplify their voices on campus.
Gender and sexuality
From showing up for students across identities to helping you find a support network that celebrates who you are, Harvard clubs on gender and sexuality offer a space to lead, connect, and be heard:
- Queer Students and Allies (QSA). Leads campus-wide events, peer support programs, and advocacy efforts for BGLTQ students and allies to create visibility and community.
- Women in STEM (WiSTEM). Supports women, femme, and non-binary students in STEM through mentoring, networking, and outreach initiatives.
- BAGELS. Brings together BGLTQ Jewish students and allies to build community and raise awareness about the intersection of religion and sexuality.
- SHADE. Serves BGLTQ+ students of color through social events, mentorship, and discussions that highlight BIPOC queer experiences at Harvard.
Health and wellness
Taking care of yourself is part of thriving at Harvard, and health-focused extracurriculars help you do just that. You don’t have to look far—these extracurricular activities at Harvard support every aspect of student wellness on campus:
- Harvard College Health Advocacy Program (HAP). Leads peer-driven outreach and health education initiatives that help students make informed, healthy living choices.
- Student Mental Health Liaisons (SMHL). Trains students to support peers and reduce stigma through mental health events, especially during Mental Health Week.
- ECHO. Provides a confidential, non-judgmental space for students to talk through concerns, with a focus on topics like eating, body image, and exercise.
- Indigo Peer Counseling. Offers identity-informed peer support for students navigating mental health, where all lived experiences are recognized and affirmed.
Hobbies and special interests
Even at a place as rigorous as Harvard, making time for fun matters. That’s why the following hobby and special interest clubs make it easy to unwind:
- Harvard Chess Club. Hosts weekly meetings, tournaments, and intercollegiate matches for all skill levels—open to anyone who loves the game or wants to learn casually
- Harvard Undergraduate Knitting Circle (HUKC). Brings students together for fiber arts, creativity, and conversation with free yarn and twice-weekly crafting sessions.
- Harvard College Puzzle Club. Welcomes puzzle enthusiasts to tackle riddles, logic games, and brain teasers through social sessions and the popular Harvard Puzzle Hunt.
House committees
Each Harvard House offers plenty of ways to lead. Through House Committees (HoCos), you can organize events, start traditions, and represent your peers in House affairs. While there are 12 HoCos in total, here are a few you might contribute to:
- Kirkland House Committee. Organizes everything from Stein Clubs to formals while serving as a forum to improve House life and strengthen the in-House community.
- Adams House Committee. Brings students together through events like Carpe Noctem gatherings, formals, and Housing Day celebrations to enhance the Adams experience.
- Leverett House Committee. Leads events like Rising Hare Frolics and the Blackout Dance, while voicing student concerns to relevant University offices.
Media and publications
If news reporting, creative writing, or spinning tracks on air sounds like your kind of Harvard extracurricular, the media and publications scene is the place to be. These groups double as creative outlets and real-world platforms, giving your stories a wider reach:
- The Harvard Crimson. Delivers daily campus news, opinion columns, sports coverage, and more—plus a weekly online magazine, Fifteen Minutes.
- The Harvard Lampoon. Produces five issues of its satirical magazine each year, featuring biting humor, clever parodies, and witty takes on pop culture.
- WHRB Radio. Energizes the Harvard community with daily broadcasts of jazz, classical, and underground music, plus student-led news and sports on weekends.
Music
Music groups at Harvard are your chance to grow your talent, find your sound, and play with passionate peers. Love to perform, play, or collaborate? These music-focused extracurricular activities at Harvard are perfect for you:
- Bach Society Orchestra (BachSoc). Performs chamber works across eras—all managed, conducted, and performed by undergraduates in a high-level, student-run setting.
- The River Charles Ensemble. Builds musical leadership through conductorless performance, where students collaborate to shape sound, style, and artistic direction.
- Mozart Society Orchestra (MSO). Brings classical repertoire to life through fully student-led performances at campus venues like Paine Hall and Sanders Theatre.
Religious and spiritual
For many students, faith and spirituality remain central to their Crimson life. That’s why—even amid fast-paced academics—you can find your community and celebrate shared traditions through these religious groups at Harvard:
- Harvard Undergraduate Faith and Action (HUFA). Builds a gospel-centered Christian community through Bible courses and weekly
- Harvard Hillel. Serves as the hub for Jewish life on campus, offering services, holiday gatherings, cultural events, and educational opportunities.
- Harvard Islamic Society (HIS). Hosts Friday prayers, devotional gatherings, and educational initiatives to strengthen Muslim life and Islamic awareness across campus.
Social clubs
While most extracurricular activities at Harvard are open to all, some students gravitate toward more exclusive circles through social clubs. Though many of these operate independently and aren’t officially recognized by the university, their deep-rooted traditions still make them groups you’ll hear about on campus:
- Final clubs. Selective single-sex or co-ed social groups known for exclusivity and tradition that host invite-only social events around campus (like the Porcellian and Bee).
- Greek organizations. Independent fraternities and sororities focused on service, leadership, and lifelong connections (like Alpha Phi and Kappa Alpha Theta).
- Other selective societies. Elite groups such as the Signet Society and Hasty Pudding Club, known for promoting the arts, philanthropy, and campus community through selective membership.
While Harvard’s full club list isn’t publicly available, you’ll be able to access more detailed listings through the Student Organization Center Online (SOCO) platform once enrolled.
Harvard Athletics and Club Sports
With over 80% of students participating, athletics are a big part of life at Crimson. Whether it’s team sports, fitness classes, or open gym time, there are plenty of ways to stay active and engaged on your own terms.
So if you’re looking to play, compete, or simply unwind, here’s how to get involved:
- Varsity sports. Compete at the highest level in sports like rowing, basketball, swimming, or lacrosse with Harvard’s best.
- Club sports. Join student-run teams like rugby, frisbee, or sailing for fun, competitive play with more flexibility than varsity.
- Intramural sports. Play casual games in soccer, volleyball, or basketball through your House-based leagues—no tryouts required.
- Recreation programs. Use campus gyms like Hemenway, take fitness classes, or swim on your own time at Blodgett with flexible, drop-in options.
No matter your skill level, athletics at Harvard are a great way to stay active, build teamwork, and connect with peers outside the classroom.
Public Service and Outreach at Harvard
Some of the most impactful extracurricular activities at Harvard come from serving others. That’s why, if you’re hoping to lead change or support causes you care about, Harvard gives you the chance to take on meaningful roles, both on campus and in the wider community.
One way students get started is through Harvard’s student government. The Harvard Undergraduate Association (HUA) lets you represent your peers and help shape campus life. You can run for elected roles, join funding boards, or take part in student-focused committees.
Still, if campus leadership doesn’t feel like the right fit, there are plenty of ways to make an impact through outreach and public service. Here are a few options to explore:
- Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA). Running over 80 public service programs, Harvard’s largest student-run nonprofit supports communities across Greater Boston through tutoring, mentoring, and shelter outreach.
- Institute of Politics (IOP). The Harvard Kennedy School–based program offers nonpartisan internships and speaker series for students interested in politics and civic dialogue.
- First-year service programs. Early service opportunities like FUP (First-Year Urban Program) introduce new students to social justice issues while volunteering across Boston.
These opportunities show that Harvard extracurriculars can serve as a platform for service and self-growth.
ROTC and Service Programs at Harvard
If you’re drawn to national service, leadership, and structure, the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at Harvard gives you the tools to build all three. While it’s not your typical club, it still stands out as one of the most commitment-driven extracurricular activities at Harvard.
Depending on your preferred branch of service, you can join Army ROTC through MIT’s Paul Revere Battalion or train with the Navy or Air Force programs also hosted at the institution.
If you choose to pursue it, ROTC prepares you for military service through hands-on training and real responsibility, all while balancing it with your Harvard course load. You might be up early for drills or taking military science classes, but if you’re ready to lead with discipline and purpose, this could be the right Harvard extracurricular for you.
How to Find the Right Extracurricular Activities at Harvard for You
Choosing among the many extracurricular activities at Harvard can feel overwhelming, given the hundreds of compelling options available. Still, what matters most is finding clubs and activities that fit your goals, schedule, and interests. Here’s how to explore and narrow down your options strategically:
1. Check out student groups at Harvard’s Organization Fair.
One of the best ways to explore extracurricular activities at Harvard is by attending the annual Student Organization Fair. Typically held in September at Tercentenary Theater, the event brings hundreds of student-run clubs together and draws Crimsons eager to find their place on campus.
If you’re unsure where to begin, come with questions, take notes, and don’t hesitate to join a few mailing lists to explore your options. The goal is to find what fits—not to commit on day one.
2. Explore Harvard’s club search tools and student resources.
If you missed the Student Organization Fair or want a quieter way to explore, Harvard’s online platforms can help. Browse the Student Organization Center Online (SOCO) to filter clubs by category, or check the Dean of Students Office site for updates and the full directory.
You can also explore Student Stories to see which clubs or Harvard activities resonate before jumping in.
3. Try out multiple clubs before committing.
Joining a club at Harvard doesn’t have to be a one-and-done decision. Many organizations welcome new members to attend trial events or interest meetings before officially signing on. That means you have space to explore which extracurricular activities at Harvard align with your time, goals, and energy.
Here are a few things to consider before committing to a club long-term:
- Time commitment. How often does the club meet, and can you realistically commit to that schedule?
- Club environment. Does the group feel inclusive, welcoming, and like a space you’d want to return to?
- Leadership and growth. Are there chances to take on responsibility or develop new skills over time?
- Alignment with your goals. Will this club support your creative, professional, or personal growth now and in the future?
- Stress level. Will participating feel energizing or overwhelming alongside your course load?
No matter which Harvard extracurriculars you choose, trying a few first can give you clarity on where to spend your time as a Crimson productively and with purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many clubs does Harvard have?
With over 470 recognized student organizations, extracurricular activities at Harvard are one of the most diverse and dynamic parts of student life. While that’s a solid ballpark, new clubs are reviewed and recognized through the Dean of Students Office annually, so the number can shift slightly. For the most up-to-date list, checking the SOCO directory is your best bet.
2. What types of clubs and activities are available at Harvard?
Harvard offers a wide range of clubs and activities across academics to public service. You’ll find everything from pre-professional groups like Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business (HUWB) to performing arts groups like the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club. There are also opportunities for athletics, student government leadership, or military service.
3. How can I join a club at Harvard?
Most Harvard clubs start recruiting at the beginning of each semester, with sign-ups happening at the Student Organization Fair or online through the Student Organization Center Online (SOCO). Many groups hold interest meetings, trial events, or auditions before formal membership, so signing up early for club mailing lists is the best way to stay in the loop.
4. Are there opportunities for leadership within Harvard’s student organizations?
Absolutely. Many Harvard extracurriculars offer leadership roles—from running events to managing club operations. You can also take part in campus-wide initiatives through the Harvard Undergraduate Association (HUA), the student government. Some clubs open officer roles to new members, so if you’re interested in leading, ask how you can get involved early.
5. Will extracurriculars impact my academic performance at Harvard?
They can, but it depends on how you manage your time. Most students join at least one to stay balanced and engaged outside the classroom. If you manage your schedule well and choose energizing activities, that involvement might even enhance your college experience.
Takeaways
To help you make the most of your time on campus, here’s a quick rundown of what to remember about extracurricular activities at Harvard:
- With over 470 recognized student groups, Harvard clubs span everything from pre-professional organizations to cultural, creative, and identity-based communities.
- Athletics at Harvard are one of the most popular ways students stay active, build community, and get involved.
- Whether you’re joining student government, volunteering through PBHA, or enrolling in ROTC, Harvard extracurriculars offer meaningful paths for leadership and public service.
- Exploring clubs through fairs, student resources, and trial events can help you find what truly fits your goals, schedule, and interests—without the pressure to commit right away.
- Looking to experience Harvard’s vibrant campus life? An admissions expert can help you build a strong extracurricular profile and highlight the right activities on your application.
