It’s a totally valid theory, one that I’ve been considering a lot, even though their waitlist is probably a lot shorter than 1660 people that they consider a full class. It just doesn’t seem feasible to place that many people on the waitlist. (As I mentioned above, Yale and Princeton put around 900 to 1200 people normally, and my guess for Harvard is like 600-800 people.) Maybe if they particularly liked some students that they already accepted and wanted backups for them specifically? We can’t know for sure, but it’s interesting to think about! 
Good luck to everyone on the waitlist. It is a stressful time. If you haven’t looked up the waitlist threads from previous years, it might interest you to know that there seems to be waves of admits and rejections over the course of the waitlist period. That was certainly how it played out for my own kid when they were in this situation. Again, good luck everyone and hang in there.
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Hi everyone! Are you guys submitting an additional letter of recommendation as a waitlist update? Would you guys recommend sending one? (Maybe someone who got off the waitlist can help answer?) Thank you!
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I thought the class of 2024 is now close to normal size again, with previous class of 2023s who also took a gap year last year. If that’s the case, then C24+C25 will be significantly larger than 3300.
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How does the waitlist works? do they reevaluate the application from the scratch or they have some pre-recorded info on app from previous review and it is pick and choose?
They have your assessment from the admissions process and various metrics during previous review rounds. If they go to the waitlist at all, they will be looking for certain types of students to balance out the makeup of the class. There are a variety of factors, but for example, if they admitted 20 musical prodigies and more than expected declined, then they might choose another musical prodigy.
I think the point is they have explicitly stated they would accept a full class (around 1,660 students) regardless of the people who deferred. So if fewer than 1,660 students accept their spots, then they will go to the waitlist regardless of how many students there are in C24 or C25, or C24+C25 for that matter. Like anyone else here, I’m just guessing, though!
I believe they wanted to keep the # admitted the same as to not penalize current seniors in the (early and regular) admissions process. However, I don’t think they will necessarily need the waitlist if fewer accept.
They DID accept a full class. That doesn’t mean that they’re going to go to the wait list, too, to ENROLL a full class, in addition to the 350 who deferred. It’s not like Harvard needs the money, what with their endowment, and the logistics of housing and having class seats available for a freshman class with an extra 350 people is very challenging. They did not commit to ENROLL 1660. I’m sure that they would only use the wait list to fill in their specific needs.
I guess we will see! As I said, I’m in no way affiliated with Harvard and I’m only guessing based on what my friends at Harvard have told me; I can definitely see them saying they did “accept” a full class (not enroll) and going to the waitlist for specific needs. The only thing I know is getting off their waitlist is equally hard COVID or no COVID. Thanks for your insight!
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I agree. While they have planned for the max size, they would probably prefer the total class of 2025 is not at that level. If fewer enroll or more than normal decide to take a gap year next year (which is likely, but certainly not at the level of last year), I think that helps them spread things out.
Does anyone have any idea when the first round of waitlist decisions usually come out?
Sorry answer is no but looking at old chat from previous years things seem to start happening in May around 10/11 but honest answer no idea. Just need to keep being patient and wait, frustrating though that is.
University of Chicago has taken applicants off the waitlist for a while. It seems UChicago AO offered 2026 opportunities (gap one year) to several applicants on the waitlist. I saw at least two replied with intention letter to AO and got admitted to 2026 afterwards. I am wondering whether it is good idea to send letter to Harvard AO to express the willingness taking one year gap to seek the opportunity for 2026. Any advice?
also does anyone know what the waitlist notifications looks like? is it a phone call? status update? email?
From 2018 thread it seems to be a phone call followed by an email. Rejections are updates on the portal. I don’t know.
Hey guys, I’m planning on applying to Harvard for class 2026. I’m posting here since I haven’t seen a thread about it yet.
I’m an European student currently studying at a local university, next year will be my second year. Could Harvard view this as a negative? As in, could they consider this as two gap years from high school?
I have not applied before due to Covid. I’d like to know if it’s bad for the application, thanks in advance!
You would be considered a transfer applicant. And the acceptance rate for transfer is about 1% as they only accept about a dozen per year.
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I’d be fine starting as a First Year to be honest. Would I still be eligible to apply as one?
No. You would only be able to apply as a transfer applicant.
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