@Dataminer I worked really hard in high school and am valedictorian now, but I had a really hard time with the standardized tests. I definitely thought my scores would be the reason I would get rejected. My EC’s were really strong and unique though, so I think that’s the reason I got in despite my bad(ish) test scores. (1480 SAT; 730 Math 2; 770 Physics; AP Scores were a 5, two 4’s, and two 3’s…yikes)
do you know the chances of getting off waitlist?
Last year no one was accepted off the Wait List.
@tiredIBstudent Harvard doesn’t give merit scholarships, only need-based aid. So your question is irrelevant since financial aid awards are linked to financial need. Any student demonstrated sufficient need would receive $60K. Some receive more.
@Dataminer - Apparently so. He stressed his desire to continue music, but that wasn’t enough to put him on a waitlist at Northwestern.
But some will probably be this year.
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/3/29/harvard-regular-admissions-2022/
But since Harvard has not released the size of the WL (and won’t, if history is a guide), nobody can know the chances of getting off, but I would assume it will also be in the low singles digits.
@exlibris97 That’s what I thought too, but strangely enough the award is covering significantly more than my EFC would have indicated. I’m beyond happy though because I really would not have been able to afford it otherwise despite my FAFSA information. Thanks for your response, I’m just trying to figure out all of this because I was truly caught so off guard 
Guys I got into Harvard RD and I’m still shocked. Really didn’t expect this.
@FreePariah my feelings exactly! I see you also got into Yale - where are you leaning towards?? Congratulations on your acceptances!
Waitlisted, at least not rejected woo!
@TiredBstudent Generally speaking we found the amount we had to pay to be about 10% of our (parents) Adjusted Gross Income line on taxes. And all of the rest, ie tuition, room, board, some travel expenses, books etc. except for that 10% was covered. And it’s adjusted each year accordingly. And the financial aid office is friendly and approachable. Have to say that for us, as a middle class family, all that Harvard advertises about its aid outreach, was true. It was fantastic and deeply appreciated. My son is graduating in May with zero loans. A situation which will, alas, not be the case when he finishes grad school.
@rampions Thanks for your post. She will go to Visitas though may not get to all of it. hope it gives her enough info.
BTW, started an accepted students thread. This thread has a longer history about applying but it may be helpful for accepted students to connect on the accepted students thread.
Congratulations to all accepted!! On another note, does anyone know if financial aid is available for Visitas?
Congratulations to all those you were accepted! And sympathies to all those rejected. You will get into a great school.regardless. The answer to many of your questions is that admission to the top tier schools is often about convincing one person to put your file into the admitted pile. I was affiliated with a top tier school for 7 years and can tell you that what is stressed above all is a narrative, a story. That is why the essay is SO IMPORTANT. It is your only chance to express to that human on the other end YOUR STORY. And there are many stories. All the things commonly mentioned here (ACT/SAT, GPA SSAT,ECA SPORTS) are terrific accomplishments but they are all about you JOINING the group and not separating yourself from it What makes you unique? What makes you quirky? There are 36,000 high school valedictorians graduating from US secondary schools each year. Add to that another 36,000 salutatorians. There are just over 14,000 spots for all IVIES each year. Add stanford, MIT and a few other schools and lets say 20,000 top tier students. And if all they did was take number 1 and 2’s they could only take 1 out of 3.5 And that doesn’t factor in international students. Do the math. Again, most everyone here will wind up in a great school, even if its not your dream school. Make the most of it.
No clue tbh, but I’m thinking Yale for its social life and community. But it seems like only a few hours pass before I feel like flip flopping! @abraham2311
@richardsenic A quick technical question. Between the spots on the Common App and Harvard supplement for essays, which one is most relevant/important?
Just heard that Harvard admitted from The Harker School in CA 6 during EA and 8 more RD.
Son was ACCEPTED! Also accepted to Yale, UChicago, RICE, UCLA, and UCI. Rejected from Princeton.
4.0 UW, 1540 SAT, 800 Math 2, 800 Physics, All 5’s on 7 AP’s.
@Dataminer geez that’s impressive. The last time someone from my high school got into an Ivy League institution was 4 years ago. (Cornell)