A taste of Harvard

• By CHANTE DIONNE WARREN
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Aug 28, 2008 - Page: 1E - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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U.S. presidents, congressmen, governors and other famous men and women have graced the halls of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.

St. Joseph’s Academy senior Destani Parker, 17, may not yet be famous, but she thinks she might understand the secret behind the academic successes of Harvard attendees.

“They have a very great support system for students,”  she said.

Parker spent eight weeks earning college credits during a Harvard summer program for high school juniors and seniors from June 24 through Aug. 15.  She was selected for the program based on her application, essay, placement testing and two letters of recommendation from her school.

“At first it was kind of intimidating” arriving at Harvard, Parker said.

Her anxieties were put to rest when a proctor showed her around the campus and introduced her to other students.

Parker attended two classes, a pre-calculus and beginning fiction writing class. The classes were mixed with high school and Harvard undergraduate students, she said. In the fiction writing course, Parker read novels and wrote her own chapter novel.

“What makes Harvard great is the fact that the instructors are so involved with you,” she said.

That’s part of the secret of success behind Harvard students, she said.

“They provide help for you 24-7.  The school keeps them floating. They provide free tutoring for all Harvard students from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.”

Parker was also amazed to learn that professors will check on students. “If you get sick, the professor would send you an e-mail and ask you if you needed help. They did this for everyone,” Parker said.

Pre-calculus was tough. But she took advantage of late night study breaks provided for all Harvard students between 9:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. in the school cafeteria. “While you are eating, the tutors are there helping you. So, I wasn’t missing a meal studying.”

She also took advantage of her professor’s office hours and visited with him before classes to get her homework checked.