Given the diversity of HGSE students, it’s no surprise that students received their acceptance letters in a variety of quirky and surprising settings all over the world.
The 2018-2019 HGSE cohort share their experiences getting in:
“I had just finished a tutoring session at my student’s home when I saw the email pop up on my phone. I got in my car, drove down the block, parked, and opened the email. The acceptance letter was through the application portal and was complete with animated balloons, confetti, and a welcome video that made me want to cry. Breaking the news to my partner and family later that evening was definitely the second best part of the day!”- Jenni Myung, International Education Policy
“One afternoon in March, just before I was about to go to lunch with a group of coworkers, I surreptitiously checked the HGSE website in my office for a reminder of when I could expect an admission decision. After reading on the website that prospective students could expect a decision in late March I calmed my nerves and went off to lunch with my office. While at lunch my phone buzzed that familiar buzz indicating that I had received an email, and when I saw the HGSE name my heart sunk. In my mind I immediately thought that I had not made it through the first phase of the applicant selection process and therefore had received an early email. Not wanting to spoil lunch I put on a brave face and went through the rest of the workday trying to forget about the news. Once my coworkers began to leave for the day, and I had a little more space to indulge my emotions, I thought to myself ‘I’m sure Harvard has some sort of condolence in that email applauding my bravery for applying and wishing me luck for the future’ and I was curious to see how they would announce the news. Once I opened the email and saw the word congratulations I thought I would faint. Seriously, not the best day for my blood pleasure from this emotional roller-coaster. I literally ran into my main office and told our office admin, the only person still present, the news. After that I quickly called my family and let them know as well. I knew this would be the start of a great, and somewhat scary, adventure!”- Jason Terry, Higher Education
“I was at a special talk with Beyoncé’s agent at my college. She was such a fascinating person! There was a point where she got a call from one of her clients (I imagine it was Beyoncé), so she left a room for a few moments. I happened to check my email during those few moments and realized that I got the acceptance link as she came back in and stated talking about one of her new clients. It took all of my energy to contain my excitement for the remaining half hour of that talk!”- Kyle Paul, Technology, Innovation, and Education
“I distinctly remember sitting in my previous workplace, idly checking my email before heading into an hour-long meeting. In the span of two minutes, I saw the virtual red confetti of my acceptance, silently squealed with joy, and then spent 60 agonizing minutes holding in my happy news. A mahogany table and leather conference chairs have never felt so restraining. Needless to say, I called my fiance within minutes of the meeting’s end.”- Berkley Braden, Higher Education
“I was in my living room watching a University of Michigan basketball game with my brother. I had researched HGSE’s past admissions decision dates so I anticipated that I would find out that day. I kept hitting refresh on my emails and, sure enough, the email came through. I was ecstatic! I immediately told my brother, “I got in!” but he was fixated on the game and barely congratulated me (although he happily celebrated a clutch three-point shot minutes later by jumping out of his chair to give me a high-five). I ended up calling my parents so I could celebrate with somebody. Michigan ended up winning the game, too- a perfect day.”- Lauren Roberts, Higher Education
“I was stuck at the Providence airport because of a storm and my flight got cancelled. I was feeling really frustrated and then I got a notification that my HGSE admission decisions were available. My first thought was “Oh no I am not ready to face this!” But with my friend’s encouragement, I opened the email anyways and found out that I got accepted to HGSE!”- Winki Chan, Human Devleopment and Psychology
“It was Holi – a celebration of the festival of colors in India and it was early morning when I woke up to see the email in the inbox. Extremely nervous and anxious; it took me a while to open the mail. The visual of the ribbons cascading is still alive! One of my best moments. I reopened the mail a couple of times to convince myself 🙂 Next, I woke up my family to share this special moment. Holi 2018 shall always stay as one of my favorite memories for a lifetime, a truly colorful day!”- Mahera, School Leadership Program
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