On the section of the application that asked me to rank the five activities that interested me most at Harvard, I accidentally designated an intended level of participation for EACH one (I was only supposed to do so for the sports). In other words, for activities such as journalism, I put down intended level of participation: “Club/Intramural/Recreational.”
I honestly think that I may have ruined any last chance I had of getting into Harvard. They’ll just see that I am someone who cannot follow directions. Am I screwed?
if it concerns you so much, send a quick one paragraph amendment to them. And then let it go. The reality is there are are a potential million reasons to not accept you. Don’t dwell on this. Send the email and go and have some fun.
The earth won’t split if you do/do not get into Harvard.
Your “error” will have absolutely no effect on whether you are accepted, deferred or rejected.
Why? Because the section you are referring to pertains to co-curricular activities you might want to pursue if admitted to Harvard. However, Admissions accesses every applicant on academic potential and strength of character. Although Admissions asks students to rank five activities and their level of anticipated participation, they don’t hold students to their decision. If your application demonstrates intellectual firepower, Harvard will admit you regardless of what activities you want to pursue if admitted to campus.
@gibby So they won’t see my mistake as a reflection of my intellectual capability? I’m scared that they’ll think that I am someone who cannot follow directions.
Grow up, get over it! Hundreds of admitted students to Harvard make bone-headed mistakes – witness the entire men’s soccer team at Harvard who just forfeited the season due to a serious lack of moral judgement. Your mistake pales in comparison. Admission will acknowledge your mistake for what it is – a tiny, little error of absolutely no consequence. And Admissions will NOT hold it against you or refuse to admit you because they think you lack the intellectual capacity to follow directions. PLEASE . . . . STOP IT! To err is human. Welcome to the club! Now, let it go – and for god’s sake, suck it up, and move on!