Harvard Class of 2021 SCEA Applicants Discussion

Engineering. Is that harder to get accepted for or are all of the majors relatively the same in terms of chances getting accepted?

DS applied for Biological Sciences.

@krauser126 You don’t apply to one department, you apply to Harvard College. However, as far I know, getting into Medical School is difficult for internationals, don’t know how this holds true for domestic applicants.

@MedSciBud - Were you asked to fill a questionnaire for the interview?

@T26E4, @MedSciBud: Regarding an interview. I understand interviews are based on alumni availability. If someone doesn’t receive an email for an interview (domestic US citizen), should the student email Harvard admissions? The concern is that the student “missed” the email for some reason - alumni used wrong email address, etc. and the application could be dinged for not “accepting” an interview offer. Thoughts?

@srk2017 - no questionnaire. Was asked only for a resume.
@HYPSPlease - you may choose to contact the admissions office

@HYPSPlease You’re being paranoid. Contacting Harvard will result in this: They’ll tell you that your name was passed along to the local coordinator and it’s up to him/her to randomly assign interviewers. Or there aren’t enough interviewers.

I would recommend you check your spam filters in case someone is trying to reach you – but they have your email, mobile and home phone nos.

@T26E4, yep you are right - on 2 points.

1). They have email/mobile/home phone. Logically speaking, yes they can reach a student.

2). Yes, I’m paranoid. But once saw this quote, “Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get you.”

thanks.

@HYPSPlease I missed the email as it went into my junk. My interviewer then called me and all was well. I conducted the interview yesterday.

How much does the interview matter. If it doesn’t matter much, why do people tend to make a big deal out of it?

I forgot to mention in my additional info that I transferred schools mid-9th grade. Should I email them about that? Would that make any difference because I couldn’t participate in some clubs from my new school since I wasn’t there from the start of the year as a result.

@krauser126 I think you should talk about it if it comes up when talking about extracurriculars. I know for my case I transferred to a new school in my junior year and I wasn’t able to be a leader in a club in my school like I wanted to. I hope your interview goes well though! I have mine upcoming too!

@Scholar526 So should I email them asking to add that to my additional information?

@nillupa Here’s my reply on how much the interviews matter for a school like Harvard. My alma mater views and conducts interviews almost exactly as Harvard:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19861191/#Comment_19861191

I don’t mean for it to be overwhelmingly cynical. The interviews are an opportunity for you to learn about H more intimately and to engage an alumnus/a.

Why do people make a big deal about it? Just like they obsess over whether a missing hyphen will tank their app or whether it’s better to submit at 11:50PM vs 11: 58. They feel nervous b/c so much is out of their hands so that anything within their control, they’re going to examine (too) closely. It’s natural.

@krauser126 That is NOT information that rises to the point of sending an email. Let it pass.

I applied for social sciences.

Is it bad that I’m not doing any of the financial aid stuff like IDOC, and haven’t even done the FAFSA? I totally would, but I am 100% sure my family will get no need-based aid, and I don’t want to waste my time.

I will eventually do the FAFSA because some schools require it.

Did anybody else receive an email from Harvard’s financial aid office asking for your idoc?

@Ceciliaagnes I sent my IDOC on November 1, CB processed it on November 3, and I got an email from Harvard Financial Aid Office reminding me to submit IDOC. I guess it is a common email sent to everyone whosoever applied early and opted for financial aid. Relax.

For the tax non-filer statement for students, do we actually mail that or can we upload it on IDOC?