Following graduation from Amherst, a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship enabled me to test the depth of my interest in literary scholarship by beginning graduate studies at Harvard University.

In this quote, Harold E. Varmus reflects on a pivotal moment in his academic journey. He mentions his graduation from Amherst, a well-known liberal arts college, which marked the end of his undergraduate education. Following this, he was awarded a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, which provided him with the opportunity to further explore his interests in literary scholarship. This fellowship allowed him to take the next step in his intellectual development by pursuing graduate studies at Harvard University, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous academic environment.

The quote highlights the importance of the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship in Varmus’s career. It gave him the chance to test the depth of his passion for literary studies, a field he was interested in but had not fully explored at the undergraduate level. This experience helped him determine whether his academic path would lead toward a future in literature or if he would shift to another field.

Varmus’s decision to attend Harvard underscores the significance of studying at a world-class institution, known for its resources and opportunities in advancing one’s academic career. His choice to delve into literary scholarship at Harvard likely shaped his intellectual growth, even though his future work would ultimately lead him into the field of biomedicine, where he became a Nobel laureate.

The origin of this quote lies in Varmus’s reflections on his academic past, where he credits his graduate studies and the support from the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship as key factors in shaping his early academic development. This period of intellectual exploration was crucial in determining his academic and professional path, showcasing the importance of opportunities and mentorship in pursuing one’s passions.