<p>" The acceptance rate among CC users is about 30%."</p>
<p>No one knows what the real acceptance rate is: Lots of lurkers don't post, many posters who're rejected probably don't post this info, some people probably lie about being accepted.</p>
<p>Still the theory above suggests that 9% is an average acceptance rate for an average Harvard-fit applicant. In reality Harvard probably rejects 50% of applicatons out of the box.</p>
<p>"In reality Harvard probably rejects 50% of applicatons out of the box."</p>
<p>I doubt it. First, something like 85% of students who apply to Harvard have the background that indicates that if accepted, they'd graduate from Harvard.</p>
<p>Second, Harvard rejects very few EA applicants, and presumably those are the people who are obviously unqualified.</p>
<p>This is because people unqualified for Harvard do not apply there EA, but they do apply RD, and I know a few kids who applied just on a whim (without applying to any other top school).</p>
<p>Also, even though Harvard is known for rejecting few EA applicants, most of those deferred are later rejected. Here on CC we only have two users who were deferred and then accepted. Compare it to the average 30% acceptance rate among CC posters.</p>
<p>sry to hijack...how much does the interview count? I heard somewhere that it doesn't count for much in admissions..is that true?</p>
<p>Interviews can be tip factors. In these days in which fewer than 1 in 10 applicants are admitted, and most applicants are outstanding students, anything that is a tip factor is important. Students blow off their Harvard interviews at their peril.</p>
<p>what exactly does the interviewer do for your application? Do they write an actual recommendation to the adcoms or is it just a numbered rating?</p>
<p>They give you ratings in several categories: academic, EC/athletic, personal, overall. They also write a narrative report that supports the ratings they give you. Good reports support their conclusion by providing quotes and other specifics from the interview. The interview is supposed to provide adcoms with info they can't get from the application: character, values, whether the student has taken advantage of opportunities; whether the student has overcome unusual challenges, whether the student is fluent in English (important for non native English speakers).</p>
<p>edit: nvmd, already said.</p>
<p>thanks alot NSM. I read before that you are a Harvard Interviewer. Do you mind telling me how interviews usually go? does the interview ask most of the questions and it goes on like a Q and A session, or is it more of a relaxed conversation type setting?</p>
<p>sexyyetibeast, it's not necessary for you to have an inordinate amount of ec's as some of the previous posters stated. I think you need ec's that show either more depth or require leadership skills and long-term committment. In other words, quality over quantity. Being involved in Spanish club and such don't exactly make you harvard material. Don't sweat it though, I think you've got a shot.</p>
<p>How interviews go depends on the interviewer and interviewed. Most, I think are relaxed conversations -- if the interviewee is relaxed and assertive enough to speak up. Some are so shy or cautious that they answer questions "yes" or "no" and then the interviewer has to ask lots and lots of questions. It's better to run with conversational openings.</p>
<p>I know this is a bit early, but what do you guys think are my chances of getting into Harvard for the fall sememster of 2006???</p>
<p>GPA (unw): 3.80
GPA (w): 4.30
No class rank, but in the top 6% of a very competitive public school.
SAT II's : 750(USHIst), 720(Chem), gonna take math 2C but prolly 750+
SAT: results havent come back yet, but hopefully 2100+</p>
<p>Classes: Very tough. Junior Year: 3 AP - APUS, AP Bio, AP Chem (all others honors); Senior: AP English, AP Psych, AP Physics, AP Calc, AP Spanish, AP Econ. </p>
<p>EC:
National Honors Society
National Spanish Honors Society
Theater (all four years)
Director of some plays
Costumer of some plays
Russian Chorus in Boston
Piano (11 years)
Tennis team (JV and V) - captain next year
Play tennis in the MA Northshore League
Named All Star Second Doubles Team in MA (with my doubles partner)
Also various athletic awards for tennis
50+ hours Comm Service award 2004
100+ Presidential Comm Service Award 2005
10th Place on National Spanish Exam
Drama guild award for Acting
I also work at an extended day care program
I have also volunteered at a local library for 4 years
Secretary and Co-founder of SRAS at the school (Sudanese Refugee Assimilation Support)</p>
<p>even by reading all of the previous posts i really have no idea what your chances of getting into harvard are. I would guess about 10%</p>