<p>As far as I’m aware Harvard doesn’t always send likely letters in waves? So I don’t think there’s anything wrong with his claim.</p>
<p>As Yoda said, Harvard likelies are not sent in waves, or at least mine wasn’t in one of them. I also don’t think there were that many likelies sent out; there were probably only about 5 real claimants here on CC which is not that different from last year.</p>
<p>Anyhow, I just found a secret in the letter! Hail sunny days.</p>
<p>They are sent out every month starting October on a certain date after the admissions committee has their meeting.</p>
<p>I was ■■■■■■■■ up there; hope I was convincing. Ah! 16 tortuous days left! Relieve my pain, please!</p>
<p>You weren’t. But at least you recognize it :)</p>
<p>I can’t believe there are still so many days left. :(</p>
<p>Polyglot might have been ■■■■■■■■, but there is a secret in the letter! Light is the answer!</p>
<p>“I can’t believe there are still so many days left.”</p>
<p>Indeed.</p>
<p>what secret?</p>
<p>THE secret…</p>
<p>I haven’t posted on here much at all either and I don’t really feel like writing up my stats but I got a likely last week too! I was so excited when my brother told me over the phone. The little note from the dean of admissions at the end was a really nice touch. </p>
<p>The only problem was that within days I was researching Harvard and hearing all the negative things that people say about it, and I can’t figure out what to believe and what not to believe. If I get into my other top choice, Princeton, I’ll really have a tough decision. But what a problem to have!</p>
<p>Everyone has a different experience at Harvard… is what you feel you want. In my case, I really do not care what poeple say, if I ever get in, I know I will choose Harvard in a heartbeat… what is it you do not like??? anyways, no place is perfect I guess</p>
<p>I know what you mean: as I’m looking up Harvard online, I’ve found a lot of negative stuff… Sometimes it seems like Harvard gets by on its brand name, taking the best applicants and giving them a pretty good education, but one that’s not as exceptional as most people believe. There’s the rumors of lots of huge classes and that basically that there’s not enough focus on the undergrads. But someone on another thread I remember reading made a good point: a lot of this negative stuff is due to the fact that it’s not big news to point out the good things about Harvard, so people pay more attention to the negative things: dog bites man v. man bites dog, as they put it.
Anyway, I’m still really excited to go visit! But I also want to know where else I got accepted. I thought getting into Harvard would make my decision easy. But so far, it hasn’t.</p>
<p>Sylvie really did a great job of explaining what I found and what worried me. The stuff about a lot of classes not being taught by the professors struck me. I also just seem to get the feeling that Harvard is extremely serious and that the social life kind of blows, while Princeton seems to be just as academically impressive while being a little more laid-back and easy-going.</p>
<p>Sylvie, the only thing that worries me is that those negative things are a huge part of what determines your college experience. I honestly don’t think I will care that much how big of an endowment or how much research funding there is at Harvard when I get there. I will care about faculty interaction, small classes, what type of people my classmates are, whether I’m happy there.</p>
<p>I know what you mean. Suddenly I’m worried about choosing Harvard just because of the name and false perceptions that come with it. I mean, it’s four years of your life haha</p>
<p>@ mrwnt10 I know what you mean, and I have stumbled across these negative comments as well, which also made me doubt my decision. However, a kid I know that goes to Harvard has told me something that I found really true. And that is that everyone has a different experience at Harvard, as does everybody else at every college. Professors will be there to help you if you look for them, and since Harvard has the choice, I think, to go shopping for courses, you might as well chose the professors who you think will be most dedicated to you. </p>
<p>The type of classmates will vary, as it does in any other college. I am guessing that you definitely WILL have the typical preppy guy, as well as very simple people. Harvard is diverse in tis student body, and everyone will be different around you. It is just a matter of getting to know the people. I mean, I also was concerned about that, I wanted a laid back school with people who were not that competitive between themselves, or that cutthroat environment. I have heard these comments, but I also have heard the opposite, so in the end is what you make of it. </p>
<p>Small classes I think depend on the course you are taking. But anyways, goos luck in your decision!!! And remember, every place has its pros and cons, its just about finding the fit for you :)</p>
<p>btw, I have also heard that princeton is really competitive, but who knows? In the end, we cannot generalize. Not everyone will be the same.</p>
<p>Harvard and Princeton are both, obviously, very strong, but they have distinct personalities. If you know what you want in a college, one should fit better than the other. One question is whether one or the other offers more in the particular academic and extracurricular activities that are most important to you. (Princeton usually has stronger basketball, for example, but only Harvard does policy debate.) Harvard is much larger, more urban, and more heavily oriented toward graduate education (more graduate than undergraduate students). The ideal Harvard student is a very intellectual self-starter who is happy making her own way and isnt looking for anyone to hold her hand. Princeton is more small-town, compact, undergraduate-focused, and leafy; it’s more rah-rah, and the social side of things looms larger. Ideal student is very bright, balanced, and looking for a strong sense of community. But I don’t want to overstate the differences – the ideal Harvard student will probably do fine at Princeton, and vice-versa.</p>
<p>When’s the admitted student weekend for Harvard this year?</p>
<p>What does it mean if you didn’t get a call?</p>
<p>That you are like 99% of all other applicants.</p>
<p>Most people who get in don’t get likelies. Not something to freak out over, if you didn’t get one.</p>
<p>definitely not something to freak out over if you don’t get a call. don’t even worry about it. i wish i could feel that wanted though. not that i feel unwanted or deserving of such a call, but that must be such a cool feeling…</p>
<p>The underlying question is… how many people usually get likelies? And I don’t understand why the concept of likelies exist? (ths q is btw not intended to attak the OP)</p>