<p>The HFAI is listed under Harvard's "recruitment" link on their admissions site along with Harvard Minority Recruitment. I was just wondering, if being really low income would help about the same as being a minority. If this was the case, how could you let them know that a big reason you're applying is because of HFAI because there's no box to check, hey, I'm low income while there is one to say hey, I'm a minority.</p>
<p>If you use a fee waiver, it shows that you are low income. Be sure to use one, since it not only signifies your financial status, it saves you some $$!</p>
<p>On the application, it asks about your parents' occupations and education background...
this gives a bit of an indication/hint of your family income.</p>
<p>Ha, my dad has a master degree and my mom a bachelor degree. And our annual income is still $2500 or so. Just wanna let you know that that trick doesn't work everywhere.</p>
<p>maybe you mean 25,000.</p>
<p>No, because this is Vietnam. $2500 will do for an average family in a year, albeit with some pinching. Try to imagine the situation, because that's the way it is:D</p>
<p>Dont tell me to "imagine the situation", you dont know anything about me or where I come from.</p>
<p>wait... i wanna know... with the HFAI...</p>
<p>does it actually HELP to be low-income?
i mean, since it's under recruitment and all?</p>
<p>Hey DHA_10, you were surprised at the number and seemed to view even $25,000 as too low, so I supposed you were in the US. Yeah right, you can't do with $25K there, and $2500/year is simply ridiculous to anyone in the States. Still, it's the norm in developing countries. Just wanna let you know. Best.</p>
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<p>does it actually HELP to be low-income? i mean, since it's under recruitment and all?</p>
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<p>Yes, it can help. Harvard hopes to attract qualified candidates from poor and working-class families. Those apps will be viewed in light of the opportunities that were available to the student -- in plain English, I think some slack will be cut for them.</p>
<p>well i wouldnt call it slack. These people (including me) have had to work to support their families and like cant solely concentrate on studying. What u guys spend a day has to be divided for us among work and study. Also we dont have tutors or a supportive community. I agree that this doesnt make up for like horrible grades. However, if you come from humble backgrounds its not so easy to get straight As (especially at a top noch school who could care less like mine).</p>
<p>If the usual academic requirements are being lowered, which they are, that is indeed slack. Of course it isn't easy to get straight A's under those circumstances...that's why the slack is there. Under those circumstances, Harvard assumes that the scores and grades might not reflect a student's full potential.</p>