I'm Going to Harvard!

Once again, it's been a while! And once again, I have an excuse and news to share! These past months have probably been the busiest of my life: in addition to moving to and settling into a new country on my own, immersing myself into a different language and culture, working full-time, trying to keep up with my usual side projects and classes and doing my best to stay physically active, I was going through the graduate school application process, and let's just say that sometimes it felt like I was biting off a bit more than I could chew. However, after all these months, I am beyond thrilled to share that I will be starting a data science master's program at Harvard University this fall!

Data Science

Those who know me know I love data science. It sounds like the kind of thing to say in your typical application essay but data science really does combine just about everything I am passionate about (math, coding, data, real-life applications), and I have experienced a state of flow many times while working with data. For those who haven't heard of flow, here's the Wikipedia definition: "[flow] is the mental state in which a person performing some activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity (…), [flow] is characterized by the complete absorption in what one does, and a resulting transformation in one's sense of time."

So, as you can imagine, I am over the moon at being able to do a masters in a field I love in the best university in the world!

The Application Process

A few months ago, while I was going through the dreaded silent period after submitting the applications but before hearing back about interviews or decisions, I had a chat with my mom that made me realize even if I didn't get into any of the schools I applied to, I had no regrets because I really gave my 100% to the process. I spent months obsessing over essays, recommendations, standardized tests, projects, application videos and forms (and probably drove everyone close to me a little crazy with my nonstop talk on the subject), and there really was nothing more I could have done that was within my power or abilities.

Decision Time

After radio silence from the five schools I applied to (and agonizing over it), I started hearing back from almost everyone at once (which led me to a different kind of agonizing). However, after all was said and done, I got into four of the five programs and withdrew from the fifth.

I had done a very thorough and extensive research on schools and programs, which meant I only applied to the few that I really truly liked. All the universities were incredibly competitive (with an acceptance rate of less than 10%), so I figured I'd be lucky to even get into just one. There are no words to describe the feeling of being admitted into Harvard (for me, the best and most prestigious school in the world), MIT (which has, hands-down, the best programs and reputation in tech), University of Toronto (the best university in Canada and a top tech school), and ETH Zurich (the best school in continental Europe and another tech powerhouse). I had dreamed about this for so long, but it still felt unreal.

A real picture from a real message I sent to my best friend after finding out I made it to the interview round at MIT

The fact that four of my favorite programs in the world accepted me thrilled and encouraged me but also made for one of the most difficult decisions of my life so far. I am indecisive by nature and sometimes spend more time than I should deciding what tea flavor I want for breakfast or what nail polish I should wear, so go figure what having to make a major decision like this did to me…

I'm Going to Harvard!

You already knew from the title, but yes, in the end, I decided to attend Harvard University to pursue an MS in data science.

Truth be told, I still can't believe that I am actually going to Harvard. Growing up in a small town in Colombia, Harvard seemed like the kind of distant dream that comes true only for other people in other parts of the world, and I still can't quite believe that it is happening for me.

I will spare you the longer version, but I am so very excited about the program (and officially becoming a data scientist!), about Harvard and about moving back to the US, that I am still processing all of it. I guess dreams do come true after all.

Final Words

This was more of a personal post, and as such, I'd like to end it by thanking my parents, closest friends, professors, recommenders and everyone who was part of this process and who supported me, in one way or another, on my path from Popayan to Augie to Hamilton to Deutsche Bank (both in New York City and Berlin) and now to Harvard. This would not have been possible without their immense contributions, guidance, and patience!

The main shoutout, as always, goes to my mom - my biggest fan and supporter who helped me in every way she could (including waking up at an ungodly hour on multiple bitter-cold days - she who hates early mornings - to film my application videos at the Brandenburg Gate before it got crowded until I was finally satisfied with them), who lovingly listened to my every vent, and who has stood by my side and encouraged my seemingly crazy dreams from day one.