Harvard 2020 Waitlist Discussion

I just contacted my regional admission officer and he said that Harvard is still in its waitlist process and he hopes that they will be reaching out to students soon after the process is done though that doesn’t really confirm that this Thursday might be the earliest time that we hear back from Harvard waitlist.

How do you get in contact with your regional officer?

I can’t seem to find the contact information

@hola1997 how do you know who your regional adcom is or how to contact them?

Generally you can find your regional admission officer if you ask your guidance counselor.

@idkName - Just sentimental reasons :). I live only about an hour from Harvard so I thought I could come and meet him for lunch once or month, that sort of thing. He is probably happy to get away from me! Also worried that he will like it too much and want to stay in that area:)!

@Wreckdecembersat - Thanks! Good luck!

Hey so I called Harvard this morning and they said “in about a week or so” is the earliest they’re doing waitlist decisions although the kid who answered the phone definitely sounded like he was reading off a script so that might just be their official statement

@Smythe Thanks for the update. I guess I can stop pinning my hopes on Thursday.

Do they do waitlist cuts?

Hi - Harvard will admit or “release” students from the waitlist in waves. Last year, there were a few dates: May 15, June 1, June 15 (it) and July 1.

Regional reps are listed on the website.

@MamaBear97 I’m sorry, I was unable to find it. Is there any chance that you could post a link? Thank you so much!

If I want to submit a supplemental letter of recommendation on my behalf for the waitlist, do you guys know how I can do that?

@mamabear97: While Harvard does provide each admitted student with a list of Regional Admissions Directors, to the best of my knowledge they have never put that information on their website – not this year, not last year, not in the last 7 years. If you have different information, please supply a link for all to see.

I have a few questions about the method with which Harvard contacts you: Do they 100% of the time call you? And if you don’t answer will they call again, or send you an email? I ask this because I miss a lot of calls for a myriad of reasons, and I’m nervous I’ll miss their call. Also, would they call with a number that has a Mass. area code? Or one that has an area code of my state (Oregon)? Thanks! Any information helps.

In years past, Admissions Officers have called waitlisted applicants, as they are also trying to gauge how excited/receptive you might be to attending Harvard. Keep in mind most students have already payed a non-refundable deposit to their current school. Saying yes to Harvard usually involves a loss of money for a waitlisted applicant, so you need to have a conversation with your parent’s before saying yes. If you don’t answer the phone, the AO will probably leave a voicemail message with a return phone number. If you fail to call them back, they might try again, email you or try to contact you through your guidance counselor as a last resort. The number will mostly likely be from Massachusetts – probably a 617 area code.

@gibby How long do they generally give you to answer?

^^ about a week

the anxiety is real…

Can someone call and ask when they’re releasing?