I heard that depending upon the major you apply to within Harvard (e.g. Engineering, liberal arts etc), the competitiveness varies… Is that true? 
Dunno… I have the same question.
Would be great if someone could answer
Harvard admits people into the college – not into a concentration. There are no barriers to switching/choosing concentrations. However, if you’ve stated you wish to be a Physics concentrator for instance, and your grades (and likely ECs) of near subjects don’t match – it calls into question your planning/thinking ability.
It’s certainly fine to apply as “undecided”
I have a question about subject tests sat- it says in the requirements that they are optional ,if my sons scores aren’t very high does it make sense to submit anyway or skip it altogether?
Hi guys, if my parents attended college but only have diplomas and not degrees, is this considered first generation?
@MedSciBud thanks!
Are you all writing other college essays at this point? Just in case?
My daughters portal has an uploaded “miscellaneous” from 3 days ago. she doesn’t know what it is. Also no way of knowing if 3rd “other” recommendation was captured by portal.
@yawninglion Yes. I’m working on my RD round of applications since its very unlikely that Harvard would accept me early even though I really hope they do.
@Travisafb Is it her first quarter grades? My portal showed an “Academic File” when my counselor uploaded my report card. You could see if they received the 3rd recommendation through Common App: if it says “downloaded” next to the teacher’s name then Harvard received it.
Is there an RD 2021 thread?
@SSundee I’m just as confused as you with the discussion about submitting first quarter grades??? Harvard’s website states that “midyear” reports should be submitted in mid February
Some GCs may choose to submit first quarter grades, but unlike Princeton, H does not ask for it. AFAIK
@OhioMom6 For Harvard I think first quarter grades are optional, but my school sent them anyway. Midyear reports are probably first semester grades (the first + second quarters)
I’ve finished all of my RD applications besides Brown’s. I’m feeling the symptoms of senioritis so I’m really slacking on writing those last two essays for Brown.
I just received an email from CSS collegeboard saying my non custodial parent had not submitted the forms required… of course I’m having him complete them asap but will that hurt my chance at all?
@yawninglion - no. Fin aid processing has no bearing on admissions. Except, if you get accepted, your fin aid package may be delayed.
@IntoTheWoods - perhaps you can ask your S/D who is currently at H “What changes on the portal when the decision is released?”, or in other words - does the portal say “Accepted / Deferred / Denied”?
@MedSciBud, if I remember correctly, the portal changed and had a congratulatory message and a video featuring Mark Zuckerberg. He (MZ) said he hoped the accepted students would accept Harvard’s offer of admission and stay at Harvard for longer than he had. 