Harvard University Admission Essays

This past summer, like many previous summers, I spent in Russia, or what my friends jokingly refer to as “the motherland.” To the surprise of the most sheltered of my acquaintances, I returned neither Communist nor raped, but enriched and aware. I spent two weeks…

We read Paradise Lost my sophomore year, and ever since then English class has seemed little better than a waste of time. No school-assigned book has been able to compare: Paradise Lost is the only book I’ve ever read that I can honestly say changed…

“For God’s sake, please stop the aid!” This prominently placed quote in a magazine I was reading immediately caught my attention. It reminded me of an article written by Milton Friedman on the null or negative impact of foreign aid. I admit that by then…

As an aspiring public servant, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to attend Harvard University and study government. My decision to pursue this field was not a sudden one but rather a culmination of experiences throughout my life. From an early age, I have…

As I stand before the gates of Harvard University, I cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of excitement and anticipation for the journey that lies ahead. The reason I chose to apply to this prestigious institution is because of the unparalleled academic excellence it…

Thanks to the hundreds of different stories my relatives have told me, I have heard every side of the Yugoslav war and the fall of communism. Every side. On top of having a sense of these different perspectives, I have learned many interesting customs along…

My own eyes were closed, but I could sense hundreds watching us. My fingers, previously swathed in thick woolen gloves, were loose and warm. I exhaled slowly and willed all my muscles to relax. I brought the cold, smooth mouthpiece up to my lips and…

I didn’t have much to say when I was very young. In fact, according to family legend, I didn’t utter so much as a single word for the first three years of my life. Naturally, my mom and dad began frantically seeking the expertise of…

I sometimes wonder whether I’ve ever made any personal decisions. I think my parents have shaped my life to their liking: I attended Exeter in the footsteps of my father, and now I find myself in Rennes, where he studied thirty years ago. I do…

There is a Chinese proverb, or chenyu, that literally means “guarding a tree for rabbits.” The story behind it involves a farmer who saw a rabbit run into a tree, providing his dinner for the night. He then waited by that tree the next day…