haha same, this thread definitely makes me a bit scared about my chances
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Yeah… I think I’ve “thrown in the towel” at this point.
hey guys! i’m an applicant from CA hoping to major in sociology. what major did you guys list on your harvard REA application?
Hi I chose Molecular & Cellular Bio as my major. Wishing you luck!
Hi! I listed chemical and physical biology. What would you guys say was the most important part of your application or your most unique EC?
in my personal opinion, i would say the most important portion of my application was my personal essay. i wrote about the how the death of my parent in the summer before freshman year changed my life, as well as what i have learned from the experience.
now i understand that despite this tragedy, it might not impress admissions. however, this is a story only i could tell that details my personal downfall and growth from it. hope that helps!
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I am sorry for your loss but I heard a podcast in which they said that this essay is quite often for them and they can’t understand whether the student is cherished or not.
interesting. I appreciate that info. well, I guess in a few days I’ll know if my story did me any good. fingers crossed!
Hey guys, applied to Harvard EA for class of 2025. I am an international student and I haven’t given SAT or ACT due to limitations, apart from the website to the university where they only keep be positive information I learnt from several websites that it would downgrade my chances to get into Harvard. Is this true?
I applied for either the environmental policy or human developmental and regenerative biology major. I think some of biggest EC’s are that I started a statewide climate change education org. (we are doing a lot of legislation writing and stuff) and also have done some research and internships at hospitals in Boston, MA. I wasn’t able to submit test scores which sucks but im just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best! I think everyone who applied is definitely qualified and amazing and I just remember that wherever you end up is where you are meant to be!
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I chose molecular bio as my intended major. Comparing myself to others I don’t think i have a big hook in anyway. I won a gold medal in an international bio competition and top 20 nationally in canada but i’m afraid it makes me seem like a nerd (i am one lol).
otherwise i did submit my sat score and i created a website to virtually tutor students in my community, volunteered over 350 hours at a hospital, and was an ambassador for a youth leadership organization.
Honestly rejection or not, i’m anxiously waiting for results :))
I’m sure it won’t severely affect your chances, the admission officers know that corona has greatly limited testing opportunities especially since you are international and i’m sure that’ll be taken into consideration. further, test score are not everything, your academic capabilities can be demonstrated via transcripts and other things not to mention a lot of other factors that are more important than scores such as essays and activities will play a bigger role i think.
Thank you so much. It made me come out of my worrying net.
Just launched my personal site for freelance blogging. Should I mention it to Harvard admission or is too late now?
Hmm I’m not too sure since it is so close to the decision release date. Definitely do it for your regular decision schools but for harvard it might annoy admissions officers who may have already made a decision on your application. If you feel it is a huge part of who you are and your application wouldn’t be the same without it then you should just go for it. really up to you, but they also may not have time to look at it. i’m not to sure soooo
I don’t think it will! Tbh I have zero credibility on this other than my schools college counselors confidence and what the website says haha - And to be very very honest, I feel like at a school as competitive as harvard where EVERYONE has 36 on ACT and 8 APs that are all 5s… in the end its the extra curriculars and essays that really matter 
Again this is definitely my personal opinion haha, if someone more credible could fact check that’d be great
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Omg that’s amazing!! Aren’t these really strong qualities? You got it! And same, I’m just excited to see what happens haha
Chemistry —Pre-Med Track
Did not submit scores.
Full IB Diploma Candidate 4.3 W/ 4.0 UW
Student Council President, Founded a Chemistry Club and Pre-Med Club at School. National Charity League since 7th Grade, NHS, National French HS, District III Student Council VP, grade-level awards, Varsity Tennis Team (not pursing college athletics).
Started a business (active product development), but also work a job 25 hours per week after school.
Wrote about persevering through 5 hurricanes hitting hometown and friends and family locations across Louisiana this hurricane season, and helping friends and family with evacuations, disruptions, etc.—maintaining straight A’s in all IB HL and AP.
Wrote about childhood experiences and years of charity work leading to pre-med focus.
Could have written about divorced parents and the difficulties of switching houses and complicated family dynamics, but didn’t.
Really kinda kept essays humorous and light—nothing intense.
No publications, or gold medals, or swimming across the Atlantic.
Kids around here go to huge Division 1 SEC schools—sports are king. Nobody gets exposed to Harvard or Ivy around here (except we do have Little Ivy Tulane). Want to move to the NE.
And FULLY aware there’s pretty much no chance of getting in REA or even RD, but still gotta try for the personal dream because if you don’t try, the answer is definitely, “No.”
What have you got to lose??? Grab every chance you can!! Be brave. I don’t think it can hurt to tell them—worst case is they never even look at it.
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Very sorry to hear about your loss. I think you definitely should write about experiences that profoundly impact who you are and who you want to be. Good luck with REA!