Harvard University Class of 2023 SCEA Applicants

Hey all. Many other ivies have discussions for '23 applicants so I figured it’s about time Harvard had one. How’s everyone feeling about the upcoming application process?

Surprised this thread isn’t more active. Anyways, wishing you all the best of luck as you begin the application process for Harvard and all the other top schools you all will probably apply to. With acceptance rates decreasing more every year and application pools increasing, make sure you’re doing everything in your power to stand out while still being true to yourself. Don’t feed them admissions what you think they want to hear because its a surefire way for disappointment. If anyone here needs feedback on their supplements or anything, feel free to PM me (don’t expect to be on here much but we’ll see).

I really want to get this thread started so I’m gonna ask a question lol

How far are you in your essays or anything that you may have started?

Well, at this moment, Harvard hasn’t updated its prompts in Common App for Fall 2019 applicants yet. I guess not much could be done till that happens. Wonder how long we ought to wait.

@gabby980 Well I started filling out info on my common app if that counts, lol. I’ve come up with some ideas for my essay but I’m probably not gonna start it until August.

who’s hyped to get that deferral??

Hi guys,
I got rejected last year regular action
I’m considering re-applying this time as early action and don’t know if it’s worth to start that stressful process again

What has substantially changed since last year??? Did you win some sort of international award? Did you have a research project published in a major scientific publication with your name attached? Did you cure cancer? Or, somehow change the world for the better???

FWIW: In the 9 years I’ve been on CC. I’ve not known of one student who was rejected from Harvard and was admitted after taking a gap year. I do know of one student who was rejected from Harvard and admitted after applying as a transfer student. That is @Hanna. And I’m surmising that she was admitted due to her energy, drive and commitment to her undergraduate goals at the college that admitted her.

If you don’t have that kind of depth and breath of academic strength behind you, then you should NOT expect a different result when you apply this year. My guess, without knowing any of your stats, is to not reapply and move on with your education goals (and your life)!

Actually, I just got better SAT scores ( 1360 last year to 1580 this time).
I didn’t get any major international awards, only some national awards ( math and writing contests)
Also, I got some activism experience ( in a factory in which I worked for 3 months)
Last, I’m working on a theoretical physics paper ( about general theory of relativity) and I hope I’ll finish it this month.

As you said, I think that having a gap year is bad and make it impossible to get in. After all, I spoke to a student from my country who got 1560 in the sat and had international awards and didn’t get in.

I will explore other options and thanks

In addition to what @gibby said, you are an international applicant, which makes admissions difficult no matter which way you slice it. You can certainly reapply, but temper your expectations.

Does anyone have overall tips on what a Harvard supplement should emphasize about a person? I know that Harvard has a strong emphasis on leadership and integrity, but is there anything more nuanced that Harvard doesn’t necessarily state?

^^^ Google “harvard supplemental essay” and click on every link on the first search page. That will certainly give you a more nuanced view of what to do and what not to do!

I noticed that all top schools have sent nice advertising pamphlet in the mail recently, except Harvard. Yale’s nearly 100-page one is actually quite nice.

Harvard says in their FAQ(https://college.harvard.edu/frequently-asked-questions) that while submitting an application prior to the deadline results in no admissions benefits, they “request” that early applicants submit their applications before October 15th to “expedite application processing and to arrange personal interviews more quickly”. Does this mean that you are more likely to get an interview if you submit your application earlier? Do you think this is important?

No.

If, and this is a big if, you are totally happy with your application and have triple checked your essays, then by all means send it. You may get an interview request earlier (or not), but really the advantage for you is that it is off your plate. But if you are still tweaking your application, don’t send early just to send.

@skieurope On the timeline for the early application, Harvard says:

"As early in the fall as possible, please submit:
•Your application to Harvard, via the Common Application, the Universal Application, or the Coalition Application. This is needed to open your admissions file, track your documents, and set up an interview.
•The $75 application fee or a fee waiver request.

You may send the application supplements at a later date."

My question is, how complete should this application be for Harvard to start with? Does it need letters of recommendation, for example? Should the essay be ready? Can the essay be re-edited after it’s filed?

Once this application is filed, how soon can one expected to be contacted to arrange an interview?

@Dataminer Your part of the application must be sent complete, including your essays. LoRs. test scores,etc can be sent later. You can send a revision to your essays, but for many reasons, I’d suggest not sending until you are satisfied with your essays.

To be clear on my opinion of sending the application early: other than getting it off your plate, the only advantage is Harvard’s. It gives them time to organize your file, but your application will not be read by an AO any earlier.

Interview scheduling is totally out of admissions hands; that’s handled by the alumni office and it mainly depends upon interviewer availability. I’d read nothing into the timing of when you are contacted for an interview.

Is there word count limitation to letters of recommendation?

Hey all!
I am international applicant and will apply Harvard EA in a couple of weeks.

I am legally blind, my GPA is over 3.9, TOEFL 107, SAT Math2 780, will take SAT in two days where I expect to score approx. 1500.
I have one main extracurriclular activity and it doesn’t leave me much time to do other things. I am paraalpine skier and have competed at the recent Paralympic Games in March in PyeongChang where I have also been flag bearer for my country at the Opening ceremony Parade of nations.

Good luck to all!

Hi everyone!

I’m applying to colleges for the second time this year, but I’ll be applying to Harvard EA for the first time.

I graduated with a 4.5 weighted GPA, 1540 SAT, 800 Math II, 750 French, 730 Chemistry, and 710 Physics. I’ve been playing violin since I was around 6 years old, and I’ve attended programs such as BU’s Tanglewood Institute, and the Aspen Music Festival, and a slew of other performing groups that I don’t feel is important to mention here. I was an active member of my school’s Model UN and Political Science Club, and regularly went to MUN and Youth in Government conferences. I’m also the vice president of the youth part of a local organization called Asian Americans for Tennessee, where we aim to increase voter turnout and spread political awareness, especially at a regional level.

I’m not sure what even counts as a good gap year at this point, and the reason I took one in the first place was because my attitude towards learning and approaching goals wasn’t ideal for any university. I’ve taken up a violin teaching assistant job at a local Catholic school, and I’m teaching private lessons as well. I’ve also started an Arabic class online.

Good luck to everyone who’s applying!