Harvard University Top Questions

Along Massachusetts Avenue, on the perimeter of Harvard Yard, stands Dexter Gate. Above Dexter Gate, a simple inscription provides unique perspective: "Enter to grow in wisdom". The inscription reminds us that the college experience is made up of much more than a formal education. We will undoubtedly forget much of the minutiae that makes up our daily experience. What lasts, however, is the wisdom we attain by hurtling ourselves into new, potentially uncertain circumstances and discovering what it takes to succeed. More importantly, college allows us time to discover how to learn from our failures and then how to build upon our successes. This trial and error allows us to grow. It is important to find the best environment that will be conducive to growth. Every flower has a unique environment where it thrives best. Similarly, each student should strive to find the college that provides the best environment where he or she can blossom. Just as a flower needs the right mix of sunlight and water, you should find a college whose values best reflect your own. It is not the college?s name that is important. Rather, it is finding the best environment where your potential can blossom.

When it comes to finding the right college, students should make a concerted effort not to pay any attention to name. Fitting into a college environment is all about understanding yourself as a person - your skills, your interests, the things that make you happy, and your goals. Once you get a general sense of these things, one should make a list of the priorities you would look for in a college. Then the research on actual colleges may begin, and should be tailored to match one's attributes. A lot of attention should be devoted to visiting schools and speaking to students. For me, social life was a very key aspect of my college experience, and I think in any environment it is important to understand the dynamic's of a school's social situation.

Look at the platforms for students running for student government to find out what's wrong with the school.

Work your hardest.

Choose the place where you feel like you'll fit in and be happiest. These are supposed to be the best years of your life. Try and make it happen.

When picking a college, it's important to read all you can and then visit campuses and talk to admissions officers, current students, etc. Once you begin college, explore and figure out what you really love. Sign up for classes you think you may not be good at, but are interested in and work hard; GPA is not the most important thing. After your exploration, narrow it down to just one or two things so you can engage in those things fully. When you know what direction you want college to take you, talk to as many people as you can--professors, teaching fellows, counselors, peers--to get a sense of what you need to do to accomplish your goals. Make some plans based on what you learn from talking to others; plan your course sequence if your goals are academic in nature; if you are interested in research, get situated in a lab early; if you like theatre, join a production. In order to learn, volunteer to do anything, even if it's not the most exciting job. As you prove yourself, you'll be given more responsibility and ultimately gain respect as a campus leader.

Whatever your expectations are...drop them. If your expecations are high, you will only find things to be disappointed about. If your expectations are low, you will only feel self-deprication at being pessimistic. Whatever your expectations are, as long as you have them you will never be fully open to what it means to be at college. College is what YOU make it to be...it doesn't matter where you go or which college you pick- it is up to YOU to live the next four years with a purpose. If you do things for a reason, you will never have to second-guess why you did it in the first place...and while you may second-guess the reason, you will never second guess that it was worth doing. (Almost) everything is worth doing at least once. Push your boundaries, and live life on purpose. Do it. It's worth it in the end.

Visit the college campus and talk to students already attending the school to get a feel for how the school is like and choose the one that fits you the most.

The college years, while being perhaps the most formative of early adulthood, also pass by the most quickly. The rigors of academic life and the possibilities of social life upon up and accelerate like never before, as you become immersed in a community of learners. While this is a wonderful time for exploration and it is vital that students use their college experiences to gain a broader understanding of the world with its many different cultures and peoples, and it is also intensely important to reach out to your fellow students to gain insight into the variety of backgrounds and interests of others of your generation, college is the time to find your passion and to begin a foundation in that passion that can guide your life. College is a place where we go to find out what we really love, and this quest is best completed in a place you can love. The ideal college stimulates by challenging and engages by encouraging. Find the community that will be most likely to allow you to propel yourself to this.

Visit a variety of schools and get a chance to talk to students currently attending.