Malia Obama Is Going To Harvard: Check Out These 8 Celebs That Attended The University

After much speculation, Malia Obama’s college decision has finally been announced. According to The New York Times, Malia will be attending Harvard University in the fall of 2017, taking a year off between high school and college. It has not been stated what Malia will do with her gap year, but it’s completely understandable that she would take one. Growing up in the White House, the spotlight has been on Malia and her sister, Sasha, practically their whole lives. By taking a gap year, Malia can put some distance between herself and her parent’s fame. By the time Malia begins school in Cambridge, her father will be out of office, and although no one will ever forget President Obama, by then the spotlight will have shifted to the new president.

Malia joins a large group of presidents’ children that have attended Harvard. According to Vox, Malia will be the 23rd presidential kid to attend the elite university. It’s no surprise that Harvard is the hot spot for presidential kids. As the most prestigious American university there have been plenty of celebs and celeb kids who have attended the university over the years. Both of Malia’s parents attended Harvard’s law school, for example.

Check out the following list of just a few of the most famous people who have attended this Ivy League institution.

1. Matt Damon

Although Damon didn’t graduate from Harvard, he did attend the university as part of the class of 1992. While there, he wrote an early version of his screenplay, Good Will Hunting, that later earned him an Academy Award.

2. Natalie Portman

Education has always been more important to Natalie Portman than her fame. That’s why after staring in the Star Wars films, Portman went to Harvard and received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology.

3. Rashida Jones

Before Rashida Jones starred in Parks and Recreation, she attended Harvard University in the ’90s. While there, she studied religion and philosophy and graduated in 1997.

4. Conan O’Brien

Many people don’t know that not only did comedian and talk show host Conan O’Brien attend Harvard University, he also graduated magna cum laude in 1985. O’Brien is just as smart as he is funny.

5. Neil deGrasse Tyson

It’s not all that surprising Neil deGrasse Tyson attended Harvard. Of course, he got his Bachelor’s degree in physics and has been taking over the science world ever since.

6. Tommy Lee Jones

Respected actor Tommy Lee Jones attend Harvard in the ’60s when, according to Newsweek, he roomed with the future vice president, Al Gore, and wrote his senior thesis on “the mechanics of Catholicism” in Flannery O’Connor’s works.

7. Tatyana Ali

After starring on the hit sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Tatyana Ali went on to attend Harvard University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in African-American studies in 2002.

8. B. J. Novak

Best known for playing Ryan on The Office and also writing for the show, B.J. Novak is also a Harvard alumni. Novak double majored in English and Spanish Literature while attending the university and even performed in his own variety show called, The B. J. Show.

It’s clear that once Malia Obama graduates from Harvard in 2021 she’ll be joining a special group of people. From entertainers to scientists to politicians, Malia will be in a great company. We can’t wait to see what Malia will do next.

[Photo by Getty Images News]