11th grader Angela is no stranger to academic enrichment. In the summer of 2022, she took courses at Phillips Exeter Academy, and in the summer of 2023 she spent time at Andover. During the 2023-2024 school year, she took a 10-week course at Columbia University called Entrepreneurship, Economics and Social Justice. This summer, she’ll be back in Massachusetts like she was last year, this time on the campus of Harvard University. 

She hopes to one day work in finance, working for a company that focuses on economic equity when it comes to social justice, climate change, and any other systemic inequalities. 

Last year, she took a course called Economics of Disasters which sparked her interest in all of this.

“I really liked that because it shows how money shapes how we change the world,” Angela said. “It showed the ugly side of economics.” 

At Harvard, she’ll be taking a course called Invention, Innovation, and Markets which has a heavier economic focus than her course at Columbia University. An aspect of the curriculum, according to Harvard’s website, “explores the consequences—both good and bad—that technological progress has on consumers, firms, and governments,” which aligns well with Angela’s goals. 

She looks forward to going back to Massachusetts and taking a break from the hustle and bustle of New York City.

“I really like suburban and rural areas,” Angela said. “I like getting away from the city because I feel like I’m always here and when I’m away, I just feel so calm.” 

And although she’s already taken a course at an Ivy League school in Columbia, she admits she’s feeling a bit intimidated taking a class at Harvard.

“I feel like a lot of people there are going to be more prepared for these classes than I am,” Angela said. “I also know a lot of minority students feel out of place on college campuses. But I know that I can prepare myself for that.” 

She also expects the course to be rigorous. 

“I expect it will be really hard,” Angela said. “I imagine there will be a lot of group work, discussions, and college-level readings. I’m a little scared about that but also excited that I’ll get the chance to experience that before I actually go to college.” 

But during her two-week stint, she looks forward to forming camaraderie with a new cohort of students.

“I’m excited to meet new people because I’ve made a lot of friends through these programs,” Angela said. “I feel really social when I’m not in the city.”