"I'm more likely to come here [if accepted],"Perez says. "I understand that I'm only takinghalf the normal course load, but this summer hasmade me understand that it's not horriblyoverbearing."

Up in the Atmosphere

Many high school students also point toHarvard's atmosphere as a feature that hasdiffered from their original expectations.

One student, Michael A. Valdes, says he'sdisappionted by Harvard community he sees as quickto put on airs.

In his first week here, Valdes says, he "sawthe teacher acting pompous in a way."

"He would use big phrases and big terms and hewas intentionally trying to be confusing," saysValdes, who is about to enter his senior year atHoly Cross High School in New York City's Queensborough.

Valdes is taking two courses-one onRomanticism, the other on film and literature. Andhe says his professors have exaggerated opinionsof their classes' worth.

"Looking at the teacher's face, he looks likeif you don't do well in his class, your life isover," Valdes says.

Valdes also says that he thinks his professorsare pretentious.

And he accuses many of his peers of the samestuck-up tendencies.

"Some seem like normal kids," Valdes says."Some seem overexpressive...It's like they want tobe different, but they can't."

To this end, he says many students will resortto ostentatious lifestyles.

"People wear real expensive clothing, and thentalk about how much it cost," Valdes says.

But, he concludes, it's all just a part of lifein the all just a part of life in the ivory tower.

"In the end, I figured this is Harvard, so Iadapted to it," Valdes says.