Applying RD as well. This was kind of a last minute addition to my college list, though.
Guess the Harvard thread is a very quiet one? No one wants to speak up about the interviews?
Remember, its only sharing your ideas, we can be more successful. Another request for folks to talk about their interview experience.
What @shivaya have you heard about Harvard interviews that is so different from other schools?
@TheWaffleMan149 - It is drastically different (comparing to Penn); found similarities with UChicago. Also, interviews are very important for Harvard as opposed to Penn.
@shivaya Other than the importance, what specifically have you heard???
From personal experience. The mode how they did the interviews, questions asked, info shared, write-up (lot of note taking), etc. It could be different for individuals but this was my experience.
Having said that, keep in mind that Harvard’s acceptance rate is ~5-6%. The get >30K applicants and select <2000.
The selection process is very different than Penn. Penn seems to focus more on scores and ECs and recos but Harvard seems to focus more on the essay, recos, interviews, making sure that scores are good enough.
Athletes and Legacy seems get preference (for sure).
@Shivaya: H sees the interview process like many other schools. The fact is it’s useful for only a very small portion of the students – those who are truly in the grey area. With below 6% admit, no one should be surprised that TONS of people never make the first cut after the initial reads. There are some shoo-ins (even for Harvard) such as athletic recruits and other special superstar cases. (only recruited athletes get preference, not all athletes). Then there’s the handful of kids with a legitimate chance. Only for those, might an interview even matter – because for the first two sets, no interview will alter the course.
Volunteer interviewers are given some general guidance but each person’s experience will differ. There is nothing absolute. The interview is not required and rightfully, is the least evaluated portion of the app process.
@T26E4 - Thanks for the clarification about the athletes. Agree with your comments.
However, the first reader and the second reader are both human. Just because they did or did not like an application does not mean no one else will like it.
And this is where the issue comes or the factor of luck comes in handy.
So, finally, one may try as hard as you can, if you aren’t lucky enough, s/he won’t be able to get in.
“However, the first reader and the second reader are both human. Just because they did or did not like an application does not mean no one else will like it.”
True, but that’s not the point. H’s processing system ensures only a minimum of two readers initially whose job is to cull away the first round. MANY will never make it beyond those two.
It’s what works for Harvard. Selective college admissions is an art, not a science. Luck does come into play.
In general, H has no emotional ties to any single applicant – they know that 99.999% of their applicants will land well at some great situation.
@T26E4 - I like the way you put it. Thanks.
anyone from the southeast (except Florida you don’t count) get interviewed?
I’m pretty new to this thread, and to the idea of applying to Harvard, so I have to ask–is it too late to have an interview within the area? Just for reference, I live in MD.
@Cosmopolitian13
I believe RD interviews dont start till January ish, but im not expert.
However, can some expert tell me what the chances are of those who are deferred EA? Is it pretty much no chance, as in, declined once, probably declined twice? Or is it clean slate?
@kentonpalmer deferral just means they think you’re right for Harvard but you weren’t irreplaceable so they wanted to see if anyone similar comes up during RD. harvard’s stance is even if they’re 99.99% sure they’ll accept you, you’ll get deferred (just because of that .01 percent of uncertainty). So it really all depends, but I have met a few people who were deferred and then accepted RD
I’m joining y’all! I was deferred from Yale SCEA. I only applied to Y because the Val was applying to H but she got deferred :/. Harvard has always been my dream school! :x There is not much I can change about my application at this point, but what do you guys think would make an application catch the attention of the Harvard admissions officers?
Deferred from Dartmouth :-/
As disappointed as I am, I know I can’t keep moping about. I’ve got other wonderful schools to look forward to!
@kuriosmind Tell them in the additional essay that you bleed navy and white 
@TheWaffleMan149 LOL I’m sure that’ll do the trick! 
But seriously, I like my common app essay, so I don’t think I’ll be changing it. What else should I do?
Hey guys this is my first time posting! I was wondering… for the supplement essay do we write our own prompt at the top of the page or do we simply write a title and get straight into the essay? Thanks 
@CrazyKittyCat I think we write a title and get straight into the essay. I have a question: did you guys have titles for your common app essays? I thought that would be redundant since there is already a prompt, but I don’t know if we were supposed to…