When I was young, I watched with puzzlement as my aunts, uncles, and cousins changed overnight with the mysterious and inexplicable advent of children. These newly minted parents suddenly took on an air of sagacity, appeared as if they had just learned the secret to life and tucked it away with a satisfied smile. Skeptical that having a child could beget such swift enlightenment, I brushed off my concern and told myself I would find out in the future with...

When I first moved from France to the United States, I was immediately perplexed by the sheer friendliness and warmth with which even the most distant of strangers greeted one another. It is not to say that the French are, as stereotype dictates, rude, but they are certainly less emphatic about their greetings. When I met my English teacher for the first time she seemed genuinely elated to see me, as if we were the oldest of friends. I was...

The only two essays I wrote for all my applications are my common app essay, and my supplemental essay, which I used as a supplement for Harvard and as my personal statement for Oxford, University College London, Imperial College London, Manchester University, and Edinburgh University. Even though Harvard says the supplemental essay is optional, I highly recommend writing one. I submitted my personal statement from the UK universities I had applied to because that was supposed to be very academic...

My guidance counselor and two teachers I had taken multiple classes with wrote my recommendations. I had known all three well for four years. My school was pretty small so...

I declined Oxford in favor of Harvard because Harvard is so much more flexible academically. With Oxford, you apply to a specific program, and the classes you take each semester and each year for the three years...

I did not reach out to any professors, nor do...

Right off the bat, Harvard is almost unparalleled in financial aid. This was one of the biggest reasons I chose Harvard. The financial aid here...

The culture at Harvard is notorious for being super competitive, but what people don't realize is that people here are not competing with others, they're competing with themselves. Everyone here works themselves extremely hard and are not necessarily competing with you. That being said, it does create a culture...

No, I did not really...

Ambitious, Competitive,...

Before applying, I didn't realize how few students are academic-focused. Most people's...

Definitely start building a good relationship with some of your teachers one or two teachers early on....

The course from which I definitely learned the most is Benjamin Buchloh's Contemporary Art class. Buchloh is a world famous...

I interviewed with both Harvard and Oxford. The Harvard interview was quite casual. I had it with a Harvard alum at his home. We talked about my interests in...