In this informal monologue, the speaker recounts his persistent attempts to join Harvard as a postdoctoral researcher. He applied three times—twice for PhD programs and once for a master’s program—each time being rejected, and stresses that perseverance is essential for pursuing truly valuable goals. He shares a line from his cover letter expressing dedication to Harvard, and reflects on how rejection feels similar to the dynamics of romantic pursuit, questioning whether it signals genuine disinterest or a 'play‑hard‑to‑get' strategy. The narrative includes a vivid description of traveling early from Boston to New York for a forum, capturing a youthful, energetic atmosphere. A pivotal moment occurs when he meets a Harvard professor who ranks among the most cited scholars on Google Scholar (over 500,000 citations). The professor proposes a collaborative project at the intersection of AI and mental health and imparts a concise two‑character piece of advice. Throughout, the speaker’s tone remains conversational, hopeful, and admiring, illustrating both personal struggle and a glimpse of mentorship.
