Motswana enrols at prestigious Harvard College

| Friday November 16, 2007 00:00

Mmopi, who graduated from Armand Hammer United World College - USA, is the child of Mpho Mmopi and Mpho Banyana Mmopi of Gaborone, Botswana. Mmopi joins approximately 1,675 students in Harvard's freshman class. The class was chosen from nearly 23,000 applicants. 'Members of the class of 20 II were selected for a broad array of academic and extracurricular accomplishments. Most of all, they combine their talents with extraordinary personal strength, and '1ike' their predecessors they will benefit enormously by learning from one another in our residential freshman and House system during their college years,' says William R. Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid for Harvard College.

Harvard's admission process is need-blind, in conjunction with a need-based financial aid policy. Nearly two-thirds of the class will receive financial aid, with an average total aid package of more than $36,000 per year.

A new financial aid initiative requires no contribution from families with incomes less than $60,000 and significantly reduces contributions from those between $60,000 and $80,000. Middle income students also receive generous financial aid. About 1,400 students with family incomes above $100,000 receive need-based grant aid, including nearly 500 students with family incomes above $150,000.

Harvard College, the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, was founded in 1636 and attracts students from throughout the United States and around the world. Faculty members include 43 Nobel laureates.

Seven U.S. presidents and artists ranging from T.S. Eliot to Yo-Yo Ma are counted among alumni. This year, its 6,700 undergraduates will choose from more than 40 academic concentrations and more than 3,000 courses. Freshmen will have unprecedented access to small courses with over 120 Freshman Seminars to choose from, triple the number available 4 years ago.

All students will have greatly expanded opportunities for study abroad and a wide range of research and mentoring experiences. Extracurricular life is lively, with nearly 400 organizations run by students, focusing on their ethnic, musical, literary, political, dramatic, academic, and athletic interests.