Harvard University as experienced by John Mussman
by Nelson Ogbuagu

John Mussman (second from left), Class of 2010, hangs out with some friends.
Image courtesy of John Mussman

Harvard College is one of the oldest universities in the nation and is a member of the Ivy League. Founded in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard has produced a number of recognized alumni including President John F. Kennedy, President John Quincy Adams, Theodore Roosevelt, and President George W. Bush.,…  According to U.S. News, Harvard College is ranked the number one university in the United States, accepting only 7.9 percent of its applicants as of 2008. Northside’s 2008 valedictorian, John Mussman, Class of 2008, has just finished his sophomore year at Harvard and shares some of his experiences as a current Harvard undergraduate.

How was the transfer from Northside to Harvard?
“Harvard has fantastic advising resources that smooth the transition process considerably. Our version of Snake Road takes place over a week on the Appalachian Trail, followed by an orientation week. Nevertheless, there is more freedom and responsibility in college and developing time management skills to cope is absolutely necessary. Assignments tend to be larger and due less frequently, for example, and living with friends and without parents requires students to establish a viable ‘work, play, sleep’ schedule.”

Do you think that Northside sufficiently prepared you for life at Harvard?
“On the whole, I was well-prepared. I had to pick up a lot of theoretical math and become more comfortable structuring lengthy written arguments. I strongly advise anyone planning to study engineering, math, or physical sciences to join Northside’s math team.”

What is the school atmosphere like generally?
“The college is organized into twelve residential dormitories, which serve as the basic unit of college life. Students devote a lot of time to schoolwork and socializing through extracurricular activities. Harvard is an incredibly exciting, vibrant institution, with open seminars and lecture series everyday, and concerts and many performances every weekend. Professors care about their students — I’ve had some professors pull all-nighters to talk me through problem sets — and the other students are fascinating people, conversant at any odd hour on a wide range of topics.”

What are some of the extracurricular opportunities that Harvard offers?
“The residential dorms, called ‘houses,’ result in very close-knit social communities. Harvard offers the largest Division I sports program in the country and plenty of welcoming club and intramural teams. A lot [of] students perform community service through … many programs focusing on issues in the Boston area or initiatives targeting other parts of the country or world. There is a staggering array of arts ensembles including orchestras, bands, choruses, opera companies, a cappella groups, theatre productions, film clubs, ballet, modern, salsa, ballroom dance, and so on. I have enjoyed intensely rewarding experiences performing with a Renaissance music ensemble and competing with the ballroom dance team.”

What about its general location? What does Cambridge and the surrounding area have to offer?
“Boston — located across the river from Harvard — offers a diverse cultural and gastronomic scene. I frequently visit the symphony, go dancing, or hang out downtown or at the oceanfront beach with friends. There is plenty for history buffs in and around the city, and mountains for hiking and skiing are a few hours away, as is New York City. Perhaps the best part of living near Boston is its proximity to so many other colleges and universities, including MIT, Tufts, Boston University, Northeastern, and Olin.”

What type of student do you believe Harvard looks for?
“Harvard is unmatched in the range of resources available to pursue different interests. With the largest university endowment in the world, the largest university library in the world, and a reputation capable of attracting many of the most exciting and engaged professors and fellow-students, the school is a great place to study most academic disciplines. Harvard offers highly-placed connections and generous funding sources for research and work experiences on campus, in nearby labs and studios, and in every part of the world.”

What advice would you give about choosing a minor and major for students aspiring to attend Harvard?
“You don’t want to choose your major based on your school. Choose your school based on your major. You should have some idea of the general kind of major or minor [you want to pursue]. If you’re interested in something specific, you need to find somewhere specific to your desired major. Pick the kind of school that adheres to what you want.”

What advice would you give aspiring Northside students hoping to attend Harvard?
“I don’t recommend becoming too fixed on any single school, simply because the college applicant pool has grown so large and the decision process so correspondingly arbitrary. Multiple schools will always be an excellent fit for a given student. In general, I suggest that students take the most challenging course load possible and focus on activities they find particularly enjoyable and meaningful. Doing things you find fun and difficult is more important than being ‘perfect,’ in life as well as the narrower context of college admissions.”

Is there anything you miss about Northside that is not present at Harvard?
“It’s impossible not to miss the intimacy of such a close environment that nonetheless breeds generalists. After high school, people begin to specialize more and more in their academic and professional interests. Besides, Harvard just rings chapel bells between classes — no more passing-period jams.”

What do you plan to pursue after college and how has Harvard assisted you in this pursuit?
“As I am studying both physics and philosophy, I look forward to a wide range of opportunities after college. At the moment, I am strongly considering a career in urban planning, though I am also interested in the film industry.”

What advice would you give aspiring Northside students hoping to attend Harvard?