When's the first time you remember thinking about applying to Harvard and what influenced your decision to attend?
I always aspired to attend the best academic institution I could, but Harvard became, what I envisioned, an attainable goal around freshman year of high school. I thought if I could keep improving in the pool and if I could keep my grades in the right direction, I would have a shot. As I got closer to my junior and senior year of high school, I fell in love with the team, the coaching staff, and all those involved at the school. The environment was 1 of 1, and this last year off-campus due to COVID has made me appreciate it ever more.
What's something you wish you knew as a first year?
I wish I took my time delving into my concentration requirements. I tell any first-year I encounter to take time to acclimatize to college life, your own work flow, and how you want to organize your time. Allow yourself time to enjoy your first year, while not being too stressed about work-life balance. If you have a good balance in life, it'll allow you to work much harder at the right times, get better grades, and make more memories with those you care about. Also, search out small seminar classes with highly experienced professors. The discussions and learning that you will engage in will far surpass any other setting.
Is there a class or professor that stands out in your time in Cambridge? Why?
Two professors stick out to me immediately. Professor John Stauffer is absolutely brilliant. It was a gift to spend time with him in one of his lecture courses and then in a seminar the next semester. He lets you take risks in your work, enjoy the process, and really dive deep into the material. I looked forward to my time in his courses each and every week. Not to mention, he curated some of the best reading lists. The second is Professor Kevin Madigan. He is a humble man with a breadth of knowledge in his subject area that is hard to comprehend. He is approachable, engaging, and after each class you walk out with a newfound appreciation for a particular piece of work.
What's one of your favorite memories from your four years?
Winning the 2020 Ivy League Championships as a team my junior year along with my performances at the meet. It was a culmination of learning so much in my time at Harvard. In the months leading up to the meet I learned how to thrive in the classroom, truly enjoy time with my friends, and train in a way that worked for me. Not knowing that it would be the end of my swim career at the time, I can look back at it, and what I learned in my career, with great pride.
How has your participation in athletics had an influence in your life outside of the pool?
It has taught me what it really means to work hard and chase excellence. To be the best in anything requires time, sacrifice, ups, downs, and a great team to lean on. When you are balancing training four hours a day, a full course load at Harvard, and having a social life, you learn how to make the most of your time. In many ways, more importantly, it has taught me how to lead a healthy life. Many leave Harvard and struggle with maintaining a healthy lifestyle due to work demands. I understand what it takes to get my body in a place to carry my mind, and I respect treating it well. For that alone, I'll always owe a debt to athletics.
What's a takeaway from your Harvard experience that will last beyond your time in Cambridge?
My main takeaway will be to always appreciate who I am, and to chase my dreams to their fullest extent. I am never more inspired than when sitting across the table from someone who is filled with passion and tenacity for what they want to achieve. Nobody will make them uncomfortable in their skin, and at Harvard there are so many amazing people like that. I'll always remember it is okay to chase extraordinary dreams and to change the status quo.
