How to get into Harvard

I remember dreaming and working so hard from my SS1 to get a scholarship at Harvard. I even entered an international biology competition in my SS1, hoping to win to get the scholarship, finished SS3 biology in my SS1😩. I didn't get past stage 1😂 but that's okay. A story for another day.

That examination showed me the clear difference between the system of education in Nigeria and that of other countries. I didn't give up, still wanted to study at Harvard. On scholarship. I always wanted to do University outside Nigeria, but on scholarship, not because we can't afford it, but because I wanted my name to be written in the sands of time'. My dad always pushed me to study hard because top schools like Harvard, Oxford, Yale would choose the best grades. It was 2yrs after secondary school that I learned the hard truth. Top colleges ain't looking for 'academically-smart-but-street-dumb' people. They'll go for a C student with great social skills over an A student who spent all his time in the classroom without basic knowledge of what life is about. More like they want to know you for who you really are outside academics. Like, who are you outside your grades? Can you succeed in life outside academics?? (Shoutout to Tobey for teaching me this!😩❤) Reminds me of what Jack Ma said one time, 'It's better to be a C student in academics with the knowledge of life and the world around you than to be an A student only in the classroom and completely dumb in every other area. C students have time to develop themselves in other areas because they realize the world doesn't just revolve around one field, so they prepare themselves to be ready for whatever life offers'.

My advice is simple. Be vast (another shoutout to Tobey for teaching me this!😩❤). Widen your horizons! Don't limit yourself to the boundaries of your field. Learn vast. Learn wide. Advancing technology can utterly and unapologetically wipe out the job you worked your ass off for all your life, (e.g, there is now robotic surgery in medicine. Robots now carry out operations, and consultations can be done online with tracking devices to follow up on the health of the patient!😩). Develop social skills. Network!!! I remember telling my dad that if being an A student will rob me of other golden opportunities life has to offer outside my field, I'd rather be a C student. Grow and develop yourself, so much that you'll always be needed not wanted. Expand in areas like emotional intelligence, human psychology & communication (addressing myself too).

Looking back right now, I wish I had taken the right steps in getting a scholarship to Harvard. I'm not talking down on academically smart people (hey, I'm academically smart too!🌚). I'm just saying, let it not be the only place where you can offer value. Grow your worth outside academics. Have an interesting life outside school, and watch the world scramble for your attention.

Another little secret: I've legit written an application letter to the Director of Admissions, Harvard 😩😂 but I don't have the liver to send it out😩😂 (more like I'm scared they'll ask me to start from 1st year again😩😂)