Harvard Class of 2021 RD Thread

OK, I think you are probably right. And probably so many applicants are in the same boat, so not sure it’s big news anyway!!

In the context of Harvard admissions, it’s not. But congrats to your D all the same.

Does anybody know when they start to release the likely letters? What about last year?

Does anybody know where to find the regional AO contact information? Thanks a lot.

@bettytchen You can’t — they purposely make it private. You can only give updates etc. through the portal.

@bcgcdragon Probably pretty soon, but honestly you shouldn’t worry about it. Likely letters are sent to extremely few applicants.

Thank you very much.
Do you think they will look through the new document when you uploaded on the portal?

@bettytchen my bet is that a lot of the RD decisions have already been made. But, yes, they will read new uploads if they arrive in time.

Unrelated question… do you guys think being legacy will help less in the RD round than in the SCEA round? I told my interviewer that I didn’t apply EA because I wanted to get into my “safety” EA so I wouldn’t have to apply to any RD.

Ok so I just called Harvard to ask about test scores since I submitted 2 ACTs and an intern picked up and said that they only look at composite?!? I really thought they looked at subsections too – I mean, that’s why I submitted two tests… anyone know it this is actually true?

I have never called Harvard admissions directly, but I know with some other schools you can get different answers from different people. I supposed anything is possible, but it seems strange that Harvard wouldn’t want that detail. Like if you are applying as a math major they might be more interested in your math score. Do you think she meant they don’t superscore? And they only look at the highest from one test day?? Maybe you misunderstood her?

@collegemomjam she cut me off in the middle of my sentence to say that “we only look at composite. You can submit two tests, but we only look at composite.”

I’m thinking she means they don’t superscore. I might call and ask because that’s a fair question.

OK, I called. She was very nice. She said they do look at each section separately but they just don’t recalculate a new composite score, i.e., they don’t super-score. So you did the right thing sending in multiple tests.

This is a frustrating question because every school has a slightly different spin and sometimes things change year over year or even within the same year. Sometimes it’s clearly explained on the websites, sometimes it’s not. I have found over the years that more often than not I have to call to get clarification.

Good luck @ap012199!

Today my D got a likely letter from Harvard ( She got a call while at school and there is a letter posted on her admissions portal. She so happy and we are happy for her.
Suddenly I am worried about affordability.

@rice2019 congrats!! Do likely letters come out on a rolling basis or do they all come out at once?

@rice2019 Great news and congrats to your D, I hope they make it affordable for your family!

@rice2019, can you share something about her stats, essays and ec’s?

^^^^

@preppedparent, Here is what I can remember:

GPA : 4.00 UW , ~4.4 W.
ACT : 35 one sitting
Rank: 1/~30 (small school)
3 subject tests (math, physics , history) all in the 720-780 range
6 AP courses by Junior year; Taking 3 AP courses now. (two 5’s , two 4’s and two 3’s)

5 classes al local community college (psychology , chemistry 1 (no AP chemistry at her school) , US GOV, Public Spk,
Macro econ)

The admissions officer who called mentioned her essay.
Excellent recommendations. Saw one of recommendations and it was excellent. We are eternally grateful to her Drama teacher (even though my daughter is STEM focused).
90 Hours of volunteer hours at 2 different hospitals.
40 hours of Doctor shadowing.
Started many clubs at this small school. Some of them very successful.
A lot of other volunteer hours and activities.
In my opinion the deciding factors were her essay/ optional Harvard question and the recommendation letters.

@rice2019 what exactly did they say about her essay if you don’t mind my asking? Like did they say that it emphasized her personality and qualities very well, or something else? And is your daughter URM?