Harvard University Class of 2022 SCEA Applicants Thread

@nekanorneki I was out shopping, eating out, etc. all day with my mom. Got a cake on my way back home for the party (whether it’s a celebratory one or a pity party lol). Just got back home and I’m starting to feel intimidated by what is awaiting us in a few hours…

@crimsondream22 lol. I guess it will be a celebratory one for you. Your anecdote suggests you have a decent chance of being accepted.

@Harvard2022maybe If they had to move an alum to your country, why would they not just interview you via Skype? My country does not have any alumni and I was contacted by an adcom for a Skype interview instead.

@nekanorneki But I doubt it. I didn’t feel good about my interview. It was a bit awkward and the questions were not exciting at all… So who knows. I know people who were interviewed but then ultimately deferred.

@crimsondream22 So the interview was more about “getting more information” to identify your context (probably the context in your essays,ECAs) instead of a friendly talk with the purpose of just knowing you as a person?

I spent all last night watching ivy reaction vids instead of doing my AP Bio homework so I can mentally prepare myself for defeat :((

How much does the interview really count? Because my interviewer said that he already filled out the comment sheet beforehand, so it didn’t matter what I did.

@nekanorneki I would say it was a combination of both.

@crimsondream22 i guess that alumni was already here in my country for a visit maybe? Because she told me she’s not from around here, plus i had to travel really far to reach her.

@ski_racer Thanks!
@crimsondream22 Also starting to feel intimidated lol. Never have I ever been not accepted for something that has to do with academics, but I suppose that’s about to change lol. The anecdotes about ‘no interview + international = rip application’ scare the actual cr*p out of me. However, I’ll just try to look at it this way: if I do not get in, someone else does, instead of me. Therefore, if I’m not accepted, I know someone else’s dream has come true and tbh that kind of excites me LOL.

Does anyone know the percentage of students who get deferred

@Tomas1355 Are you on the same boat without an interview? Oh yea that looks fun. lol

My interview went really well, we had alot of laughs, i asked her alot of questions, and she seemed really happy to answer them all. She even went a little on the personal side of her life to answer a few of my questions. Overall i think my interview went really well, and she told me she’s gonna write a bombass interview letter.

@cgwade900 Anecdotes suggest that the interview seems to be way more important for internationals living in countries with limited or no interviews available than for those living in other countries. So it pretty much depends on where you live. I think it doesnt matter too much for US applicants as long as it’s not completely bombed. IMHO it is only extremely effective when it’s either extraordinarily good or vice versa.

@Tomas1355 @nekanorneki no interview, but in a no-interview country anyways.

@Harvard2022maybe Where are you from?

@crimsondream22 In this thread (http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/2036628-international-interview-harvard-university.html#latest), @skieurope says he has met internationals admits without interview. So I am divided on the importance of interview for internationals. We’ll find this out in a couple of hours!

But as a speculation, I think alumni interviews are given in limited interview countries after an initial prescreening (if an alumni is available). However, interviews with admissions officers are conducted only when the committee needs to know the circumstances to clearly decide (for instance your case).

@Tomas1355 The “never been denied for anything academic-wise” thing is so relatable. I hope it doesn’t change for any of us… But oh well, if I were to be honest with myself I do not feel optimistic at all right now. That is an interesting and a pretty selfless point of view. Except in that situation, I reckon I would not be able stop myself from wondering whether the person that took my place actually truly deserved it more than I did…

@nekanorneki That’s pretty interesting. As with all matters related to college admissions, we really can’t know anything for sure. I do believe that there must be exceptions to the so-called “no interview = no acceptance” anecdotal rule. I honestly wish you all the best of luck. I hope you, @1stanbu1 , and @Tomas1355 will be examples of those admitted without an interview!

@crimsondream22 Thanks for your wishes!