My brother, Bryan, just graduated from Harvard back in May. I was telling him about all of the assumptions I had about what life is like at Harvard and that I needed him to set the record straight for me (and you). So here’s what he wrote:

I’d venture to say that most people’s stereotypes of Harvard come from one of four places: The Social Network, Good Will Hunting, Legally Blonde, or Toofer Spurlock on 30 Rock. I’m not going to dispel these stereotypes, but rather expound upon them based on my limited time there.

Myth: Everyone at Harvard is a Zuckerberg

A great quote from one of my professors: “Harvard has enough 1600 SAT applicants to fill the freshmen class twice over, but sometimes you need a tuba player.” Granted, students at Harvard are brilliant. At the same time, a lot of what gets them into Harvard is being like that overly-ambitious, well-rounded guy from your high school who was the president of the senior class, treasurer of Odyssey of the Mind, and left forward on the soccer team.

Truth: Harvard really is that rich

3 points here: a) If Harvard invested its entire endowment ($32 billion) in guaranteed 10-year U.S. Treasuries (currently earning 2.2% annually), one year of interest would be enough to pay my annual salary for the next 15,820 years. b) Undergraduates whose families make less than $180,000 a year receive significant scholarship money. Let me rephrase that: Even if your family makes more than 96% of American families, you can still get significant financial aid. c) You know that part in The Social Network when Eduardo Saverin makes $300,000 in a summer trading oil futures? Most likely, his dad gave him a million dollars to play around with to do so.

Myth: Harvard is worlds above every other university in everything

Remember that really good professor you had in college? She/he would still be really good at Harvard. The truth is that Harvard uses its name really well to recruit the best of the best. They’re like the Yankees or Red Sox during free agency: one seductive “Come here” finger wave and the top players come a-sprinting to sign a contract. Who could blame Harvard for doing what they do? Graduating with their diploma and the job network they provide has one set for life.

Truth: Don’t mess with tradition

I’m convinced the only place with more tradition than Harvard is Vatican City. While most schools’ time-honored tradition is holding up four fingers to represent the 4th quarter at football games, Harvard has weird traditions like giving an entire graduation speech in Latin. The traditions are not to be questioned or scoffed at, only to be followed religiously.

Myth: People in the North care that you went to Harvard

No one in the North cares that you went to Harvard. Even in the South, people give a half-hearted “Wow” when you tell them and then they immediately brand you as a liberal trying to rob America of its moral values.

Truth: Harvard will always be a symbol for the best

Question: Will any non-Ivy League school ever surpass Harvard in prestige? Answer: Only if it can go back in time and be founded before 1636. In America, time only makes legends stronger. Think about the US Hockey “Miracle on Ice.” By 2050, that game will be remembered as the sole reason communism failed. All you can do is laugh and keep everything in perspective.