Summer R. Sinsley ’29, Mathematics

I originally came to Harvard planning to study the stars and concentrate in Astrophysics. Instead, I’ve pivoted to study the weird, handwritten, and invented symbols of old, dead, white men. While many assume I’ll sell out and become a quant, this simply isn’t true (unless someone from Jane Street is reading this…). I want to continue pursuing my passion for academic torture by studying pure math in my upcoming semesters at Harvard and beyond. Besides, at least I’ll do Math right, unlike those pesky Physics majors (no, you cannot approximate pi as 3). The only thing left is to pick up some sort of employable skill, but hey, I do really know my way around algebra.

Olivia R. Nelson ’29, Social Studies & Psychology

Pre-law but with mindfulness. Talk to one Social Studies concentrator (they would LOVE to talk about it) and you’re suddenly doing Social Studies. Whether it’s the interdisciplinary aspect or the idiosyncratic nature of the concentration, Social Studies was when it all clicked for me. Despite my grandmother referring to it as a “subject you would see in middle school,” it hits the nail on the head for how I would hope to explore different disciplines. But even though I am harping on about how fulfilled I am from Social Studies, I still need Psychology in addition obvi. Name a better combo than a Social Studies 10A lecture on Karl Marx and an eating disorder seminar: sounds like my dream day!

Grace Huang ’29, Economics and Psychology

I’m studying Economics for the same reason you are, duh. Jokes aside, I didn’t know much about Econ coming into Harvard, and while I can’t say it was a love-at-first-lecture kind of thing, it’s definitely been a slow burn. I can see more and more of what I learn play out in the world on different scales (now I can understand jargon-heavy news saying our society is cooked!), and I’ve also been kindling the entrepreneurial spirit within me since my Etsy slime shop days in fifth grade. As for Psychology, I initially became interested in it because of eating disorders (random, I know, but that’s another story), and what better concentration for an overanalyzer who sometimes gets a little meta? Psychology also has some good chemistry with Economics, so you could say I’m pretty psyched about the pair!

Ally Hwang ’29, English and Government

I came to Harvard thinking I would eventually have to choose between reading books and arguing about politics, until I realized I could make my life harder and commit to both! English lets me overanalyze fictional people and their questionable life decisions, while Government lets me do the same with real people. Somewhere between several hundred-page readings, papers I definitely should NOT procrastinate on, and explaining to people that humanities majors do not suffer from unemployment, I realized I genuinely love both. To sum up, I enjoy reading, writing, and having strong opinions. But if you ask me this again while I’m thesis-ing that may not be the case. Here’s to the next three years dedicated to reading an unfathomable amount and calling it interdisciplinary!

Valerie I. Ogboi ’29, Government and Philosophy

I have read Plato’s Republic and John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty for so many classes so far that they are practically written on my eyelids. By concentrating in Government and Philosophy, I can get it burned into my retina! I’m doubling down on a dose of political philosophy and philosophy of mind. I can tell you why your use of a plastic straw is morally abhorrent in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries (also in B.C., you’re cooked, buddy) while also convincing you why it’s possible for the turtle you’re suffocating to be a conscious, thinking thing (is it too late to get my Environmental Science and Public Policy concentration as well?). Sprinkle in some pre-law, senior thesis-ing, and a Certificate of Civic Engagement, and I just know senior year me is going to regret everything.

Sophy Y. Tan ’29, Economics and Psychology

Psychology is my excuse to call dorm floor yap sessions “field research.” I just love putting my friends into categories. Most people study Psychology and Economics to understand human behavior and profit from it. I do it to end up paying for grad school. Psych and econ are two fields where I can learn about present bias as the root of procrastination, and then put that lesson into practice as I avoid my papers and psets. The best part about the Mind Brain Behavior track is that you have the option to take classes across CS, Linguistics, Philosophy, HistSci, and more. It’s like I never signed my life away (declared my concentration) in the first place! All jokes aside, I’m ecstatic to spend my life thinking about thoughts. Psychology encompasses everything I love: languages, music, and telling people what their problems are.

Aerin Chen ’29, History

Look here, folks. I came into Harvard as an Economics major, then decided Government was my calling. Like any other naive, foolish pre-frosh, I really thought that I’d find my home at the Institute of Politics and aspire to a greater career of public service…so about that! The History department has been nothing but a treat. But I must admit, I am Levitsky and Imparato’s #1 fan. The only problem with being a history major is being asked what my “focus field” is, to which I say, I don’t know. But luckily, it turns out I can do anything I want, and for a spirited Type B person like myself, is there anything better? Oh, and I will be pursuing a Chinese language citation, since I am secretly a fiend for Vanserg Hall.

Jaylyn L. Umana ’29, Neuroscience

Honestly, all I’ve ever wanted in life is to understand the mind! Unfortunately, Psychology had me analyzing myself too deeply (too much self-reflection = doom and despair). Thankfully, Neuroscience and being pre-med keeps me so busy with psets and four-hour labs that I don’t even have time to consider the meaning of life! MBB is great when I want to flaunt my liberal arts education and have a break from Chem 17’s wicked clutches…I also plan on a Global Health and Health Policy secondary because who doesn’t love a little world-building. I can’t wait to live on the 3rd floor of Lamont and re-learn central dogma for the millionth time!

Patrick Z. Wong ’29, East Asian Languages and Civilizations

It was 7 a.m., and I was pulling an all-nighter. I intently looked at my computer screen as the kanji characters suddenly began to dance on the screen, taunting me. Slumped over my laptop, I began to sob. And yet, I am still willing to study EALC! Why? Because I am a masochist. Truly, even though Chinese is the only class I have ever cried over, I am immensely grateful to the EALC department for believing in me. For believing in my perseverance, my will to show up to Chinese class in Vanserg despite the fact that they cold-call on me every time I seem to space out. It is a humiliation ritual I never want to forget. Pure, unbridled euphoria. I must venture further into the grave I am digging for myself. The only way out is through!