Vadhan says that this relationship is mutually beneficial to both schools.

“In my area [theoretical computer science], the Harvard and MIT research communities are very linked, and this combined community is a real benefit to the students,” Vadhan wrote in an e-mail.

Conversely, Harvard professors recommend their students take MIT computer science courses as well.

“Of course this is far from a one way street. Harvard students take MIT courses regularly,” wrote Harry R. Lewis ’68, McKay professor of computer science, in an e-mail. “MIT has expertise and courses in certain fields in which we do not.”

“I advise my graduate students to take courses at MIT on topics that aren’t offered here,” Vadhan says.

RED TAPE

The cross-registration process at MIT, normally reserved for juniors, seniors and graduate students, is “relatively easy,” says Matulef.

MIT graduate students who want to take Harvard courses must obtain signatures from the Harvard and MIT Registrars, an MIT faculty adviser or registration officer and the instructors of the courses they are interested in taking.

But MIT students seem to make a smooth transition to Harvard courses.

“The ones who are willing to make the journey from MIT are highly motivated,” says Leslie G. Valiant, who taught Computer Science 228, “Computational Learning Theory,” which had three MIT students in a class of around 20 last year.

And according to Adam L. Kirsch, a Harvard graduate student in CS 225, Harvard and MIT computer science students have more than interests in common.

“We are all cut from the same cloth,” he says.

—Staff writer Tina Wang can be reached at tinawang@fas.harvard.edu.