We deny or destroy the things we don't understand. I find many people caught in this conventional stage of ideology and morality. We deny credence to those events, protection to those people, because our system of thought simply does not account for their differences, and adjustment is a far more strenuous process than assimilating their peculiar pieces into our own peculiar "normal." I spent my summer soaking in the vitality of Lake Michigan's west-facing shore. One...

What I’ve experienced between school and social life has been quite divided. Some people know me for my schoolwork, some for my personality, and a lesser few for both. My classmates know me as an intelligent, grade-driven robot, programmed to go to school, bury myself in homework, sleep, and repeat. My friends outside of class are shocked at the mention of my academic success. I have always felt that people know me for only one side, and the other...

I interviewed with Harvard. I was not able to do MIT's mandatory interview but still got in. Don’t fret if you can’t get an interview. College admissions counselors are generally understanding. I did not prepare for my interviews beforehand and found myself well-equipped to answering any inquiries. I personally believe it’s better not to have memorized answers. If anything, have a few questions in mind to ask your interviewers. My interview was conducted by...

Recommendations are very important. After undergoing the throng that is college applications, I can confidently say that your best bet is to use your application as an opportunity to expand upon your dimensionality. Colleges don’t want automatons, they want people, so make sure they know you’re a real person who will contribute something to the overall atmosphere of the campus. I suggest...

Don't stress. Aside from that, I'm quite satisfied with my application process, so I'll use this space to impart some application wisdom. Do yourself a favor and start writing your essays over summer. I promise you will thank yourself come fall. By brainstorming and writing over summer, you won’t have to wrack your brain for ideas because A. your mind is more open over summer B. ideas flow more easily when you’re relaxed and C. you won’t be preoccupied with school concerns. In my case, I already wrote for the pleasure of it, and come application time,...

I was between Harvard and MIT. Being heavily science-oriented, part of me knew MIT was the better school for my intended major/direction, but, in the end, I chose Harvard--a decision that still baffles many a person when they discover I plan on pursuing science at a liberal arts school. Now for my reasoning. I've never been...

Harvard is located in Cambridge, MA, situated right outside of Boston. I think Harvard's location is perfect, granted I may be a bit biased having chosen to attend school here. Cambridge is an awesome town, with endless shops, restaurants, and coffee houses. Harvard is only a T stop (colloquial term for the subway) away...

Almost 40,000 people applied to Harvard’s Class of 2019. That’s A LOT of people. College admissions is a crazy complicated, often convoluted game whose recipe for success remains an enigma to us common people. The few of us who make it through are as lost as the rest of you when it comes to what sets us apart. The only people who don’t joke about their admission being a fluke are people with an excess dose of ego. I digress. There are stages in the admissions process. First, scores and grades get your foot in the door. Once admissions...

It’s really important that you understand your school’s financial aid process before applying let alone accepting there. I accepted Harvard’s admission offer only vaguely aware of the workings of their financial aid program, and though my family is fortunate enough to handle the subsequent $60,000 burden, yours may not, and I like to think I may be able to help someone out. In Harvard’s case (once again, I can only speak for...

So you know why I said no to MIT and chose Harvard, but why did I say no to Georgia Tech and UVA? UVA is simple. Before I was accepted to Harvard, I applied to be a Jefferson Scholar at UVA, a wonderful opportunity you should consider checking out. Following my Harvard acceptance as well as the fact that UVA didn’t have the major I wanted, I declined UVA’s offer. Georgia Tech is a little different. Living in Georgia and having qualified for Georgia’s in state Zell scholarship (which covers full tuition for any public schools in...

Harvard students are generally heavily involved in activities such as Undergraduate Council, Political Groups, Model UN, the Crimson, etc. Also worth...

Fascinating, Boundless,...

I would try too alleviate the moderate social ills of Harvard. There is a general lack of...