<p>@meghnasridhar: That was a fine guess on your part girl (I assume?). Yup, I too am a dipsite. I am from DPSMR. You too?</p>
<p>@MrPropoganda: In my view, it makes sense to be an applicant from Canada instead of Hong Kong. According to a recent Harvard release, there are 144 Canadians at Harvard College as opposed to only 2 Hongkongers. Need I say more?</p>
<p>Do you do MUN? If you’re from DPSMR and do MUNs, then I probably know you XD. No, I’m from an insignificant little school in south Delhi, haha, but most international applicants from Delhi tend to be Dipsites (and tend to get into the top colleges of their choice-- I’m jealous!)</p>
<p>@meghnasridhar: I graduated from DPSMR in 2009 and unfortunately never got to lay my hands on MUN! I was always partial to the sciences. So, most of the times I was enjoying myself in the Astronomy, Environment or the Computer Club!</p>
<p>I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear that most Dipsites are accepted to their Dream Schools. And don’t get bogged down by the school thing. The Admissions Committee at Harvard is a very experienced one. If they feel that you are good fit for the place, they will most probably pick you irrespective of the school!</p>
<p>Meanwhile, what are your interests like? What do you want to concentrate in?</p>
<p>Oh, that makes sense…I have this stereotype in my head that anyone from your school does MUNs because they’re the most famous/infamous school for MUNs in Delhi right now, haha. But you sound very focussed with the sciences, which is very good for your chances, I bet!</p>
<p>I love my school, and it’s given me enough opportunities, sohopefully the fact that the adcoms don’t know about the school won’t hurt too much?</p>
<p>I like film making and debating :D. I’m going to major either in film making/visual arts or economics, or even both (it’s America- why not, eh?)</p>
<p>@meghnasridhar: Your choice of interests is truly novel and probably not expected of an Indian kid. This, in my view, will help your chances.</p>
<p>Thanks for respecting my passion for the sciences. I would most probably like to do a double major in Astronomy and Computer Sciences (Harvard’s got a great blend of both!). That sets me up nicely for something grandiose thereafter!</p>
<p>Did you by any chance send in the School Profile along with the Secondary School Report? That will definitely help the AC get a better grasp of things around you!</p>
<p>If you don’t mind me asking - Hows your preparation for the Class XII Boards coming up? It must be strenuous these days, right?</p>
<p>aww, thank you! I did indeed send a school profile. A double major is actually one of my incentives to apply abroad- going to DU would just mean Econ hons, which is good and all, but…boring.</p>
<p>It’s truly painful, especially being a commercie. Our subjects are not as tough as science (or even humanities) but they’re painful. I’m trying to get myself to study Business Studies now (exam’s on the 4th!)</p>
<p>@meghnasridhar: The double major was an important decider for me as well. I got into Stephen’s with my marks but the Computer Sciences program that they offered was pretty generic. It lacked the depth and intensity desired of an undergraduate program. Also, there was no conceivable way in which I could combine Astronomy and Computer Sciences in India. Thus, America was the way to go!</p>
<p>So, is Harvard your first choice or were you too driven by the prestige factor? Also, do you have any idea about the number of applications to Harvard from India?</p>
<p>Numbers? I don’t have concrete figures, but I know a lot of people apply to the big H. And by a lot, I mean a big scary figure. Oh, I don’t know if I’ve asked you this before-- have you got an interview yet?</p>
<p>You got into Stephen’s? I’d KILL to get into Stephen’s. I’m studying my ass off for the board exams right now and I’ll be lucky if I get enough to get into LSR/SRCC, let alone Stephen’s. That’s like the Harvard of India :P. </p>
<p>Harvard’s actually not my TOP choice, though it’s high up there on my list. My first choice schools would be Chicago or Brown, or even Yale, because they fit my personality. The only thing I fear about Harvard is that it is a very driven/competitive/cutthroat school, and I might not work best in that kind of environment.</p>
<p>@meghnasridhar: No, I haven’t got an interview yet! The Harvard Undergraduate Admissions Office informed me that this year they will not be able to conduct interview in most regions of the Indian Subcontinent (they gave no reason for it!).</p>
<p>As for the Stephen’s thing, I believe it is all about the right fit. The course offering, as I previously posted, lacked the depth and intensity that I particularly desired. Stephen’s also lacks the ‘flexibility’ that I have always yearned for. At the undergraduate level, I want to study stuff that I am really passionate about (Astronomy and CS) and not things that are forced upon me.</p>
<p>Harvard has always been my dream school. It is this big tree that is constantly pushing out branches of opportunities. Contrary to you, I personally feel that I would love to be in an academic environment like Harvard’s. By looking at people who are working extremely hard day in and day out to ace the game, one definitely tends to pick up the vital qualities of determination and resilience.</p>
<p>If I would have chosen Stephen’s, I would have never been able to apply to Harvard. I have no regrets or any sense of repentance in regards to this issue. I wanted to do something and I am doing it right now; what else can I ask for? Irrespective of whether I get into Harvard or not, I have at least given myself a shot at my dream.</p>
<p>You might think that I was out of my mind when I took this step. But, this is what I always wanted to do. And believe me, it feels good inside - deep in the heart!</p>