Harvard-Yale Life Hacks

It’s already the middle of November and even the students who spend their whole lives staring at CS50 problem sets know that Harvard-Yale is around the corner (November 23 to be exact). Heck, people that don’t even go here know that it’s coming. To help all you procrastinators out there who haven’t sorted out your game plan for the Game, Flyby has rounded up some of your options:

Are You Going to The Game?

a) No: You can save money and study for that SLS 20 midterm on Monday. Really, whose bright idea was it to have midterms after H-Y? (Note: Flyby is not liable for your regretting not going the week after.)

b) Yes: Get a ticket and go experience the biggest Harvard athletic (read: social) event of the year. As Nike says, just do it.

Buying Tickets

Because a Harvard ID just won’t cut it this time.

a) Buy from Harvard: Pretty simple. Tickets are available at the Harvard Athletics Ticket Office in the Murr Center all the way across the river for $20. Also available from the gocrimson.com website.

b) Buy from Yale: If you can live with giving money to the enemy, this might be your best option. General admission tickets are available on the Yale athletics website for $11 each. You don’t even have to move from your bed. Still too expensive? Yale students can buy four additional guest tickets for $5 each, so if you have any friends there (a strange concept), they may be able to help you out. Just keep in mind this means that you would have to mingle with Yalies prior to the game, so we recommend splurging on the $11 ticket and printing at home.

c) Buy from Stubhub: Don’t do it! Although those $6 tickets look tempting, there are some hefty delivery fees and service charges that you want to avoid.

Getting There

Just in case you didn’t know, you’re not gonna be able to stumble over to Soldiers Field this year after waking up five minutes before the game.

a) Round trip Harvard shuttle: Runs from Lowell House directly to Yale Stadium and back on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sold at the Harvard Box Office in the Holyoke Center. It costs $40 if you only spend Saturday in New Haven, but you will be charged an additional $5 for every other day (up to $50). Don’t forget that the bus tickets are SEF-eligible, so act quickly, and you might be able to earn yourself a cheaper ride!

b) Student organizations: Many rent buses for members; costs may vary. Contact organization reps.

c) Drive: If you happen to have friends who are carpooling there, this is probably your best bet.

d) Hitchhike: You could ask that sketchy friend of a friend of an acquaintance for a middle seat in the over-capacity Zipcar. Success rate: slim to none.

Staying There

Probably not a good idea to stay out past 1 a.m. in New Haven... or to stay there at all, for that matter. If you insist, here are your options:

a) Stay with a friend at Yale: Should be easy... provided your friend doesn’t have too much school pride and lock you out if (when) Harvard wins.

b) Stay with a friend of a friend at Yale: See above.

c) Floor of common room at Yale: One big sleepover, co-sponsored by the Harvard House Committees. Upperclassmen will be grouped with their houses, with freshmen spread between houses. Exact info to be announced over House lists soon.

d) Lodging through student organizations: Accommodations vary, depending on the group.

Getting to the Stadium

Got to get there in time for the 9 a.m. tailgate!

a) Free shuttle: Runs directly from Yale campus to the Yale Bowl.

b) Walk... two miles. Probably not your best bet.

Food and Drink

The most important part!

a) From the Harvard tailgate: Located on the tennis courts beside the Yale Bowl.

b) From the Yale tailgate next door: Props if you get in. You didn’t hear it from us if you don’t.

c) Friday night or post-game noms: Blue State Coffee, Ivy Noodle (late-night Asian food à la the Kong), Bar (mashed potato pizza?), and Tijuana Taco Cart (Yale vernacular is “the burrito cart”).

Getting Home

We at Flyby hope you have the foresight to buy that round trip ticket or it’s gonna be a long walk. And besides, who wants to stay in New Haven any longer than they need to?! Shuttles leave at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, and if you decide to spend the night, there are two more leaving at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Sunday.

Returning to Everyday Life on Monday While Yalies Begin Their Thanksgiving Break

We can’t help you there! Life's not fair.

Be safe, have fun, go Crimson!