Crimson staff writer
Erica X Eisen
Latest Content
Portrait of the Artist: Behind Van Gogh's 'Self-Portrait Dedicated to Paul Gauguin'
Whatever it is that accounts for the particular allure of Van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait Dedicated to Paul Gauguin” at the Harvard Art Museums, there’s no denying that it is a hard painting to forget. But many visitors may not know is that the painting has a history with richness to match: a ruined friendship, a missing museum, a Nazi art auction. This is that story.
'Mother Courage' Not Epic Theater
In the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club’s production of “Mother Courage,” which ran at Farkas Hall from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, playwright Bertholt Brecht’s fire was reduced to little more than a meager flicker.
"Penelope" is an Exciting Odyssey
Directed by Jacob A. Brandt ’14, "Penelope", which runs from April 25 to May 3 on the Loeb Mainstage, gleefully collides the sublime with the ridiculous, transporting a mainstay of world literature to a banal, seedy modern-day setting. In the able hands of its four main actors, the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club’s production pulls off the play’s comic elements without passing over the sense of unease at the play’s heart.
Upcoming Highlights from Arts First
The Crimson previews choice events from Arts First 2014, May 1-4.
An Enchanting “Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Perhaps fitting for a play that deals so much in dreams, director Mikhaila R. Fogel ’16’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which ran through April 20, offered college-age viewers a fantastical glimpse back to their childhood in the ’90s (and its attendant fashion nightmares). Though not perfect, the Hyperion Shakespeare Company’s utterly committed performances and campy take on classic theater made for an enchanting show that more than overcame its flaws.
"The Pillowman" Not for the Softhearted
With precise performances and minimalist flair, Lily R. Glimcher ’14’s production of "The Pillowman" captures with equal success both the comic and the creepy aspects of the play. The result is a show that is simultaneously hard to watch and hard to tear oneself away from.
Should your main essay be the Common App essay or the college essay?
The main essay that is read by all colleges you apply to through the Common Application is your Common App essay, so be sure to make this very strong and broadly applicable. The Common App essay is typically something that talks about your personal experiences, something that has happened in the past that has influenced you, for example.
I will be visiting college campuses soon. Do I need to have on-campus interviews?
On-campus interviews are not required. In fact, there are a great deal of schools that do not offer them. Even those that do have on-campus interviews often do not have them year-round. In general, schools will contact you for alumni interviews in your area. Below is a list of some schools, broken down by whether or not they offer on-campus interviews:
How many people are accepted off the waitlist each year?
This number varies from school to school and from year to year—sometimes hundreds will be admitted, but sometimes none will. Harvard's dean of admissions, William Fitzsimmons, told The Crimson earlier this year that in recent years, Harvard has accepted between zero and 228 waitlisted students.
If I am planning on visiting a school, do I need to make reservations ahead of time?
Whether or not reservations are required varies by school—below is a breakdown of universities and their various policies regarding this topic. In general, it is important to look at the websites of universities you’d like to visit before you set foot on campus. Make sure that tours and information sessions are indeed being offered on the day that you are planning to be there—some colleges do not offer them every day of the week, and holidays might mean tours and information sessions are suspended.
What happens if I'm waitlisted?
After you have received all of your decisions, you should reflect upon the choices you have and decide a plan of action. It may be that you feel that the school(s) that waitlisted you are not worth pursuing; if that is the case, you should ask to be taken off the waitlist.
How to Choose a Teacher for a Recommendation Letter
It's always best to choose someone who really knows you, someone who has, perhaps, seen both your strengths and your weaknesses. Then, your teacher can attest to your strengths and maybe even write about times when you've overcome your weaknesses. If you choose someone who knows you on a superficial level just because you think they're considered to be the best teacher at your school, then you might not get the same in-depth recommendation letter that someone who knows you well can write.
Q&A: The Creative Supplement, Mental Health, and More
Is it risky to send in a creative writing supplement? If I have a mental illness, how should I factor that in when deciding what schools to apply to? What do Ivy League schools look for in an applicant other than grades and test scores?
Q&A: Sending Scores, Organizing Essays, and More
When should I start working on my essays? If I have a low AP score, do I still have to report it? Do you have any organizational tips for college applicants?
