Harvard often presents itself as a champion of free expression in the classroom, with its official handbook stating that the University is “committed to reason and rational discourse.” And while no institution is perfect, I’ve found that in the right environment, with students and educators who genuinely value intellectual vitality, spaces at Harvard can foster […]
When was the last time you climbed a tree? If the answer is more than a few months ago, then you need to read this. It’s a matter of utmost importance. Your courage and whimsy depend on it. Climbing trees is medicine for your mental health. If you ever feel sad, overwhelmed, burnt out, depressed, […]
The other day, sipping on a macchiato while struggling to finish my art history final paper in a café near the Sorbonne, I overheard two abroad Americans chatting. They were discussing their excitement to return to the States—eager to see friends and family, ready to be home. As I listened to them rationalize why they […]
Coucou Mes Chéries, Ça va? I simply cannot believe my time abroad is ending in a mere two weeks. Complete and utter denial is setting in. While studying abroad was definitely not a spontaneous decision, if you told me a year ago that I’d be taking weekend trips to Mallorca, I would’ve laughed in your […]
Each day begins the same way: a diagonal cut across Plympton Street near the Harvard Book Store, my head quickly snapping sideways to check for oncoming cars. From there, I pass beneath the iron gate by Wigglesworth C—its outline etched into muscle memory—as I make my way through the Yard. These gestures aren’t calculated, but […]
I received my absentee ballot back in early October. I filled out most of it without hesitation. The School Board race was a no-brainer—“Jeff” was my mom’s friend. For the U.S. House, I picked the incumbent who had served my community for 15 years—“Mike.” But not all of my choices were this simple. I left […]
I applied to exactly three colleges. I got into all of them. As a senior, writing my “Why College?” essays, I thought I had the perfect idea of what I wanted for my college experience. Yet, choosing between MIT, Stanford, and Harvard was easily the hardest—and most important—decision I’ve made in my short 20 years […]
“Put your running shoes on,” I said to my best friend as I knocked on her door at 2:50 p.m. on April 20. Three minutes earlier, Harvard University Police Department’s Alert system sent out a campus-wide email: “Transit police are reporting shots fired at the Harvard Sq MBTA Station. CPD, Transit, State, and Harvard Police […]
Picture this—you’re drowning in work, stressed out of your mind, and have been sitting in a cubicle on the second floor of Lamont for the past four hours. It’s finals season, and that’s what finals season calls for… right? Wrong. You have options, I promise. As the weather gets warmer and April showers become a […]
“100% of students can graduate debt-free.” That bold promise greets visitors to the Harvard financial aid website. It sounds like a great guarantee—until you read the fine print. In reality, this pledge often falls apart for students who use outside scholarships to fund their education. Harvard’s financial aid policy is clear: grants and scholarships from […]