<p>I am from the family with multicultural background outside united states. And the reason for sending this post is my income. Compared with one of American families, it's too low. My parents are rather old, from the small provincial tow, and it takes much time for me to make some money to raise myself, to live in the capital. This is crucial not only for my application proccess, but also for my own self-developement. </p>
<p>But I doubt I should press this point in my application. I mean Harvard need not too poor student, even talented, it can't estimate properly the opportunities of rich applicants and those with strong financial need. Maybe not to mention it at all? Or maybe it will help to depict my personality, describe my personal growth, and will help them to understand the challenges I meet with? I don't complain or anything, I cope with it. But is it enough for admission officers? Maybe they want (or interested in) students with elite background? </p>
<p>Harvard takes students with all backgrounds without respect to financial need. Your economic condition is part of your story and probably should be told to some extent, maybe in your essay. If you get admitted, Harvard can afford to have you attend. Don't worry.</p>
<p>wow, totally off topic but when i saw your username i first thought of rita skeeter from harry potter.</p>
<p>anyways, i think talking about your personal growth in the essay will really help you get in - it shows your character, personality, and how you've overcome obstacles. i really think you should mention it, esp. in the essay. harvard meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, but i don't know if this applies to international students. it's a need blind admissions process but i read somewhere that harvard is looking towards increasing socioeconomic diversity so being low income might actually help in the admissions process.</p>
<p>In the country I live in, it's a big deal to move from the village to the big city (themain and largest city in my situation), because of serious socioeconomic disproportions. It requires not only financial sources, but also real purposefulness, diligence and intelligence. I want to focus on this. I hope that Harvard will try to understand my story, because it's what I have done so far in non-academic and non-EC sphere.</p>