Is anyone here an international student applying?
For the question “Please use the space below to list additional intellectual activities that you have not mentioned or detailed elsewhere in your application,” should we answer this? I know it’s technically optional, but do most people answer it?
Does anyone know if there’s a deadline for applying in order to get an interview? I know some schools want it in by Dec 15-20 for an interview but my searches come up with nothing for Harvard. I’m almost done with my supplementals and just pure editing for the next couple days before I submit; wondering if I should submit ASAP or just before Jan 1.
@collegeishard225 imo, the best way to go is to disclose as much information as possible to build a complete picture of yourself.
There is no such deadline, I applied to Harvard and peer schools on the final day of applications SCEA and RD and had no issues getting interviews. Hypothetically as @EastGrad mentions, an earlier submission might help the admissions office organize an interview for you if you are somewhere where there are only a few alumni available, but I would not worry too much about it. Submit when you feel ready.
I didn’t write anything too substantial for this in my day. If I remember correctly, I answered with a short paragraph mentioning a couple other big activities and interests I had (didn’t have space for all of them in the main body of the app) and why I was interested in them, but that was it. I wouldn’t stress too much over it unless something immediately comes to mind.
I heard that the Ivies talk between each other. Is that true and if so what does that mean exactly?
They do. They have an agreement about sending everything out at the same time yet I would not be so sure about their supposed direct communication as that would violate privacy laws. So no need to worry.
There’s article some time ago in which Penn’s Director of Admission mentioned that Penn would refer some applicants to other Ivies (whom, presumably, Penn didn’t accept).
How old is that article? I do not really believe they would do that (all of those applicants are probably well qualified for any of those schools yet it is kind of hard to believe)
It’s not that old, probably 2 or 3 years ago.
Do you guys think I have a chance at Harvard if I was deferred from Duke? I think my essays for Duke were super weak and rushed and spent a lot more time on the Harvard ones.
Yes. If you were deferred from Duke, it is probably safe to say that you at least have the stats to be competitive/in consideration for Harvard - you certainly have a chance.
Just submitted my app
@Telluric what if i was deferred from northwestern?
Good Luck!
@aussiehopeful22 Northwestern’s a good school, the same advice holds.
EA/ED deferrals from good schools should not be seen as discouragement, quite the opposite - they usually imply that you were at least competitive in their pool of applications, but not quite a clear admit in the early round (unless the college defers literally everyone). Harvard’s policy for example is to only admit those SCEA who they know would definitely have been admitted later. I know many students who have been deferred from ivies/peer schools, and then accepted by others in the RD round, seemingly at random - often ones considered more ‘prestigious’! A good friend of mine was deferred and ultimately rejected by Cornell ED but accepted into Princeton and Columbia RD. Deferrals tell you you were a competitive applicant for that college, and you can use that information to determine where else you might be competitive.
Similarly for any deferred Harvard EA kids reading this - that deferral means you were at least competitive at one of the best colleges in the world, so don’t feel disheartened and cast your net wide - you’re probably competitive at all the other ivies and most other schools in the country!
Hey guys…I applied to Harvard yesterday and received my portal login and all that jazz today. But does anyone know how I can change the email address I use to login to my portal? Harvard seems to think that my email is the one that I rarely use, and I would like to change it to a more accessible address. If anyone has any experience with this, your advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance?
You have to log in and at the top of the page (left to the log out button) there is a field that says “change email address” - that should be sufficient 
Submitted the app last night. Afraid of getting waitlisted because of what happened last year…but good luck everyone!
@azforpres what happened last year?