Many people who really went to Harvard take pains to avoid saying they went to Harvard. I recognize that the opposite is also true, but the former statement is such a commonly observed phenomenon that Harvard alumni joke about it.
At any rate, the distinguishing factor between a “Harvard Ph.D.” and a regular, old, boring Ph.D. is the extra helping of smug that comes with the diploma.
I know a guy who went to Harvard law school.
He took just about every opportunity to remind anyone in earshot of the fact, and as often as possible.
“We did this at Hahvud ...” blah. He got a reputation as an insufferable snob, a major twit and general pita.
It didn’t seem too smart to me.
PhD: Piled Higher and Deeper