Richard Glazunov - From Navy Corpsman to Harvard
Tell us about yourself, Richard!
Hometown: Brooklyn New York
What is your anticipated school and intended major? Government with a minor in psychology at Harvard University, class of 2026
Fun Fact About Yourself: I have recently started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but I'm not the best at it yet
What did you do in the military? I was a Navy Corpsman
What was your proudest accomplishment in the military? I was a member of the medical team that provided assistance to the crew of the U.S.S. John McCain after their ship was hit in the Singapore harbor. It was one of the most solemn days of my life, but it was also amazing to be able to play a small role in helping recover the remains of fallen sailors and treating the injured crew.
What was the biggest benefit to using Service to School throughout the application process? My ambassador [James] has been speaking with me for three years now. After our first phone call, I didn't speak with him for six months because I believed there was zero chance I'd ever have a chance at getting into any top school. He hit me up that summer and reignited the fire, and I applied for the first time in 2022. I got waitlisted at all my target schools and rejected by the rest, and it was one of the most disheartening moments of my life. When I told James I wanted to apply again, he was excited and ready to continue the journey. I'm incredibly grateful for all he's done for me while juggling the rigors of medical school.
What are you most excited about in regards to starting school? The history. I am incredibly humbled to gain the opportunity to join the brightest minds of this generation while pursuing my education in an environment that has nurtured and hosted some of the most remarkable individuals in history. It’s also really cool to be attending the oldest institution of higher education in the U.S.
Richard’s advice for veterans who are applying to college:
I have three crucial points of advice that I now live by -
1. Work hard
2. Get used to failure. I've failed consistently for the last 26 years of my life. When I stopped letting failure and self-doubt affect my ambitions, things began to fall into place.
3. Give back to the community. I had a lot of people invest in me, especially when I wasn't even investing in myself. Push others to be greater, help them achieve their goals, and above all just try to be a good person.
In addition to my mentor James, I was fortunate to have assistance from another Service to School mentor, Luke. Both of them not only offered me helpful advice but also taught me the intricacies of admissions writing. Having someone who has once been in your shoes and gone through the same process as you is incredibly valuable.
Congrats again Richard on your acceptance to Harvard University!
