<p>I know most people are 17-18 when applying, but I'll be the black sheep on this issue.</p>
<p>I started school early and skipped 3rd grade, so I am 15 currently. I've loathed my age for most of my life, since my social life went to the dogs (imagine being a twelve-year old freshman in high school...), but I was wondering how to implement it into my essay.</p>
<p>I'm not terribly comfortable talking about it, and I suppose it would make a wonderful slice of life essay, talking about my tribulations at having classmates two years older than me, and I have written a draft, but it's vague and not well conceived, and I've never been able to write about the topic very well. I thought, why try so hard? I'll just stick it in the additional information section!</p>
<p>So, in the additional information section, under everything else I've stated, I have a P.S.: I am 15 years old.</p>
<p>Tacky and unrefined, yes, but effective?</p>
<p>By the way, if it seems like I'm gloating in my latest torrents of threads, I really am not, and I'm sorry if it appears this way. I'm just terribly paranoid at the moment, and I think I might be banned for flooding... >_<</p>
<p>I think it might be an effective insight into your personality in your essay, as long as it doesn't seem self-pitying (putting it under "additional info" is kind of a bargain). But it's really your call--is it the most effective thing you can write about?</p>
<p>PS
Though I think Harvard might be a little hesitant about a 15 year-old--college life is hard enough as it is for 18 year-olds, for you it would likely be much more difficult--they might take a chance on you. There's a 16 year-old in the class of '09. Or he was 16 in September; he could be 17 by now. </p>
<p>If you DO get in, you might want to consider deferring a year. It might prove beneficial.</p>
<p>Harvard College wants to do everything possible to help the students we enroll make the most of their opportunities, avoiding the much reported "burnout" phenomenon that can keep them from reaching their full potential. Harvard's overall graduation rate of 97%, among the highest in the nation, is perhaps due in part to the fact that so many students take time off, before or during college. The Admissions Committee encourages admitted students to defer enrollment for one year to travel, pursue a special project or activity, work or spend time in another meaningful way - provided they do not enroll in a degree-granting program at another college. Most fundamentally, it is a time to step back and reflect, to gain perspective on personal values and goals, or to gain needed life experience in a setting separate from and independent of one's accustomed pressures and expectations. Deferrals for two-year obligatory military services are also granted. Each year, between 40 and 80 students defer their matriculation to the College, and all report their experiences to be uniformly positive; virtually all would do it again. After graduation, large numbers of Harvard students take time off before beginning work or graduate school.</p>
<p>For more thoughts on the advantages of taking time off you can read "Time Off or Burn Out for the Next Generation" written by William R. Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions, Harvard College, Marlyn McGrath Lewis, Director of Admissions, and Charles Ducey, Director or the Bureau of Study Counsel, Harvard University.</p>
<p>I also know of a girl here who was born in 1989. She'll turn 17 this coming January. She's actually adjusting really well, but the fact that she is 2 years younger than most of us really does show. However, she's over-the-top intelligent in that she's doing really well in Physics 15a (Physics for Physics Majors), Math 23a (Crazy Math, if I say so myself), and Chinese BaB (1 Year of Mandarin Chinese in one semester).</p>
<p>Don't just write "I'm 15" in the additional information section. I mean, they have your birthdate. If you think it's going to be an issue, have your GC include something like "Although so-and-so is young for his grade, he has shown himself to be academically and socially mature, and I am confident that he will excel at Harvard." If you aren't socially on par with your peers, by all means, take a year off! I'm young for my grade, as well, but it never affected me.</p>
<p>well dont let them know it by your birthdate, do you really think the adcom is going to sit there and try to calc your b-day? also, i almost skipped a grade, but my parents decided against it (actually i had the oppertunity twice and both times my parents decided against it.) im really young for my grade because i started going to school in so-cal (la) and they start a year earlier then kids in wisconsin. anyways enough about me. id reccomend writting an essay about it. that is a pretty cool hook. (smart guy anyone? and for you oldies, doogie houser.) seriously though, do whatever you think is best.</p>