<p>Hey, I was on CC last year a lot and now I'm a freshman at Harvard. These boards are way too heavy on the chance threads! You guys should be learning about Harvard, not whether random internet people think you can get in... so with that introduction, feel free to ask me any questions (and other Harvard people, chime in too). I will try my best.</p>
<p>I'd be happy to know what supplemental material you sent in and whether you think it helped you out. Did you express a strong interest in Harvard and tell them that they were your top choice (sorta like a why harvard essay)?</p>
<p>Honestly, I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter how much interest you demonstrate. Harvard has the highest yield in the country - they really don't have to worry too much about whether or not the applicant is likely to accept. I've heard so many funny stories about overenthusiastic applicants from people who work in admissions.</p>
<p>I sent them a little supplemental material which was a large article I wrote for a local newspaper along with a short, humorous note. I also sent in a creative supplemental essay. But chances are admissions people won't care too much about extra stuff you send in. Honestly. Especially if it's a giant portfolio of your modeling work (true story).</p>
<p>Is cross-registering (whoa that sounds weird) at MIT common?</p>
<p>I know a lot of grad. students who do it to take the high level specialized engineering courses. It's less common for undergrads. because there are plenty of courses to choose from.</p>
<p>What do you think about Frances Martel? Is she really that crazy in person?</p>
<p>Any students with really crazy backgrounds in any of your classes? (it seems like Harvard, Brown and Dartmouth always accept a couple of kids with some real interesting life stories)</p>
<p>Yes I have a question</p>
<p>I really want to go to Harvard and have done my best to be eligible to apply. I'm even studying as I speak to take some more SAT 2s so I will be considered.</p>
<p>Well, is a relatively low GPA an automatic turn-off? If so, whats the minimum approximately, and what else is required for an acceptance.</p>
<p>I have a low GPA (3.57), would be higher but I had serious family problems during Junior year
But everything else seems fine, high SATs, decent ECS, great Essay and Recs</p>
<p>Are there opportunities for undergraduates to do research outside of the sciences, specifically the social sciences and whatnot?</p>
<p>How much do you think writing the creative supplemental essay helped you? Is it worth the risk to try to write a creative essay?</p>
<p>Martel: no real experience with her other than the fact she lost the UC election by a miserably large margin and that her running mate was chronically absent.</p>
<p>I know a girl who was an sniper in the Israeli army. There are a few of those, especially internationals. A lot of very well-traveled people. The majority I've met though, have been (seemingly) normal people.</p>
<p>akahmed: I'm not an admissions officer and I can't predict your chances better than anyone else here. </p>
<p>QuixoticRick: I don't know specifics, but I do know that I emailed a big shot sociology professor who I've emailed before twice before I arrived here (never had a class with him) and he was extremely receptive about finding me a research assistant position. Generally, if you put yourself out there, you'll find something. I feel like a lot of the things here are a matter of knowing that the opportunities are there and making the effort. I know a couple of freshmen with research jobs.</p>
<p>Justask7: I know for a fact my creative supplemental essay helped me! It's worth the risk if you get some other people to read it over first. Mine was written in a fairly loose, literary style, but still well-written.</p>
<p>Hey, I have already got into Yale Early Action, I'm interested in harvard and have now applied RD, can you weigh pros and cons of each? :) </p>
<p>I know a few people at Harvard who are unhappy there. In comparison to the people I know at YPMS, Harvard seems to have a disproportionaly high number of unhappy matriculants from my HS. Do you think there is a lurking variable here or is there truly something about Harvard that does not live up to its gigantic reputation? I've heard about poor advising and things like that. Can you expand? Harvard's downsides (I am sure there are some), including things like professors who don't care about teaching but are there primarily for research, and other things from your personal experience? Please don't sugarcoat, thanks :)</p>
<p>From my limited time around Harvard, I get the impression that it is kind of ugly. Besides the medical school building (for grads, anyway) and its lawns, which I think are just about the most gorgeous thing in the world under direct sunlight, I'm not into the whole cobbled stone streets and, in my opinion, crummy dorms. Am I missing something? I don't think Harvard looks very good... (okay, so this is kinda trivial, shoot me..)</p>
<p>Did your tone differ in your main essay and the supplemental essay? Like, was one serious and the other funny?</p>
<p>Could you compare/contrast MIT admissions w/ Harvard admissions? Does Harvard put a whole lot of weight on character like MIT, with small regard towards academic stuff?</p>
<p>Hey, not that I mind answering some questions about admissions, but I encourage you to ask questions about undergraduate life since once you get in, there is the little fact you have to live here for four years...</p>
<p>Justask7: They didn't differ terribly, it was more the writing style, but don't worry about that kind of thing.</p>
<p>bballdude: The best place to learn about MIT Admissions would be their blogs on the MIT admissions site. I'm afraid I don't feel confident enough in making broad statements about how one is different from the other. To answer your PM question, sending in supplementary material is always an iffy thing. Chances are, they probably won't read it. They're just too busy. If they know you're a semifinalist, they'll know it's good. Just sending in your abstract could be a good idea.</p>
<p>I'll definitely be asking questions about life once I'm in. Until then though, I have to worry about getting in hehe. Follow up to my previous question: They say that they send stuff like research papers to professors and they encourage it if it's good. With that said, do you still think I should send in only an abstract?</p>
<p>I'm currently a sophomore in high school, and I have heard a lot of great things about Harvard from an alumunus from my high school. But, what I really remember about talking to that particular alumunus, is that she said she was happy, and enjoyed attending Harvard. I am really interested in looking at a college that would suit my needs, rather than fill a certain prestige quota.
This leads me to my question ( Sorry for the superfluous paragraph) : Would Harvard be a good place for someone pursuing journalism, with an interest in foreign languages?</p>
<p>bball: Take their words at face value. Contact a professor and see if he'd be interested in reading your paper. If he/she is, send it in. But just don't send a really long, esoteric paper to an admissions officer.</p>
<p>CrazedAmbition: I'm actually interested in journalism as well. The Harvard Crimson is truly amazing - it was part of the reason I came here. If you want to get really, really involved with journalism on campus, there are so many opportunities, and The Crimson is the most intense organization on campus (since we put out a paper everyday and all...) Plus you can meet journalists who come and talk and there's a great journalism workfair The Crimson hosts. That being said, Harvard has no journalism major and no real classes for nonfiction writing that are easily accessible, but the same can be said for business, and that isn't stopping people in either field. As far as foreign languages, most people I've talked to seem happy with their foreign language classes. I'm taking third year Chinese and it's extremely well-taught and I'm really enjoying it.</p>
<p>How would you rate your living accommodations at Harvard?
Do you like the dorms and the buildings where you live?</p>
<p>Living accomodations at Harvard are amazing! The freshman dorms are for the most part, pretty sweet. Unless you live in Canaday, LOL. The interesting thing is that they all have their own unique character and architecture. The only thing is that it's highly likely you'll have to share your bedroom at least for part of the year here, but other than that, there's nothing to hate about housing. I live in Straus, which is one of the smaller freshman dorms. I have an in suite bathroom, a beautiful common room, a bedroom, and big closets. :)</p>
<p>I have a few questions...
1) How are the visual arts at Harvard? I am interested mostly in photography and painting, but am not sure if I want to be an art major. Is it hard for nonmajors to get into art classess? How are the professors and facilities?</p>
<p>2) I play violin...is it tough to get into the orchestra/ string ensembles? </p>
<p>3) Do you think it would be possible to take multiple foreign languages, or does the core curriculum make it harder to do that? (And by "multiple" I guess I mean 2, most likely, starting from the very introductory classes.)</p>