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I remember when I first found out that I had been accepted via Early Action to Stanford University .
I was in the car when the email popped up in my inbox letting me know I had gotten into my dream school , and I burst into tears of pure joy .
I spent the next few months imagining myself as a Cardinal , and preparing myself to accept their invitation .
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However , when the remaining admissions decisions came out , words ca n’t begin to describe the excitement I felt when I learned that I was also accepted to Harvard University .
Thus , I faced one of the toughest decisions in choosing between Stanford and Harvard .
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I decided to visit both campuses before making my final decision , and to my surprise , fell in love with Harvard .
I had been so set on becoming a Cardinal that I had n’t given serious thought to the possibility of going somewhere else .
As soon as I set foot in Harvard , everything felt right .
The campus , the classes , the people , all made me realize there was no place else I wanted to spend the next four years .
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After I enrolled at Harvard , I was eager to start the next phase of my life , but anxious at the thought of being across the country so far from home .
Saying my goodbyes to my family and friends made me fully aware of my newfound independence .
I had no idea what to expect , and I feared that I would be lost at such a prestigious institution .
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One semester later , I have to say that I had made the best decision of my life .
I have found my home , and I have become part of the Harvard community in so many different ways .
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In a few short months , if I ’ve learned anything , it ’s that college is far from easy .
Academics are harder than ever , but I have the freedom to study whatever concentration interests me .
I applied as a pre - med student but this semester has shown me that there are virtually limitless options to explore before declaring my major next year .
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Classes often consist of lectures by professors together with smaller sections taught by graduate students , and supplemental student study groups .
Collaboration in study groups is a huge part of surviving Harvard ’s tough academic load .
If I ever felt over - loaded , I only had to walk down the stairs to see my proctor , or set up a meeting with my academic adviser .
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This past December brought long , comprehensive exams that make up finals period , but Harvard ’s reading period , a dead week with no classes , was certainly a nice change from high school .
There was even a Primal Scream to kick off finals week , with hundreds of stark - naked Harvard students running around the Yard at midnight in a time - old tradition .
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Outside class , I ’m part of Harvard ’s Crimson Dance Team ( CDT ) .
CDT has the perfect blend of dance and spirit .
Having danced competitively in the past , I was looking to renew my passion and was thrilled to discover that CDT would compete at nationals in Disney World this January .
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As Senior Class President at Dublin High School , I loved being a part of the leadership team and wanted to find an avenue to continue leadership in college .
The First Year Social Committee ( FYSC ) was exactly what I was looking for .
Our first event , Fright Fest , was a Halloween costume catwalk and dance .
It was a huge success , with over 1,000 members of our class attending !
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One of the best things Harvard has to offer is its diversity .
I ’ve already met so many incredible people from all over the world , and many of my closest friends are international from places like Macedonia , Switzerland , Germany , and Greece .
Listening to them makes me keen to study abroad in the future .
Every single person here has the drive to learn and succeed , and I need only look across my classroom to find inspiration .
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This year , I live in a suite with four other girls from all over the country and abroad .
We live in the Wigglesworth Hall dorm , which is at the edge of Harvard Yard , where all the freshmen live .
Luckily , we ’re closest to the Lamont and Widener libraries , where you ’ll find students at all hours studying for the next exam or passed out on a desk !
Our window overlooks Massachusetts Avenue , in the heart of Harvard Square .
There you can find the Starbucks frequented by yours truly , the Chinese and pizza places open for late - night munchies , and the Coop , where we buy all of our books and school supplies .
What ’s great about Harvard and its surrounding area is that everything is so accessible .
Annenberg , our beautiful Hogwarts - like dining hall , is only a few minutes away from the Yard and the majority of my classes are held within the Yard and the Science Center right outside so I can walk everywhere .
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Every morning I wake up at Harvard , I think to myself how blessed I am to be there .
Being at Harvard can be overwhelming , but there is no other place I ’d rather be .