@jzducol On the other hand, I can see some reasons why they rated your daughter the way they did. For example, academics, a high percentage of applicants have similar scores like your daughter’s, so she did not stand out among them. There are kids who did publish, won Regeneron, Intel, Olympiad, etc, in addition to ACT 36 & 4.0 GPA, so they might get a “1”. A “2” in sports might be given to those who were almost recruited by Harvard and could walk in. As for personal rating, your daughter is not Asian, isn’t she? 
The EC part is beyond my comprehension. What else would they expect a kid to do to receive a rating of “1” in addition to national and international awards?
@Dataminer obviously an applicant can always be stronger. i think the point @jzducol was trying to make is that harvard gives out the numerical ratings very harshly. her daughter was undeniably an extremely strong applicant and receiving even one 2 boosts your admissions chances a lot
You mean for Q1? If they ask for it, consider it required. Most will not be asked for it.
@skieurope why do you think they request only certain ppl for transcripts?
I’d view it as a positive. My guess as to why? Applicants on the cusp - accept vs defer or defer vs reject.
@jzducol your daughter is not Asian, isn’t she?
@skieurope so if they ask transcripts for ppl on the cusp, then does that mean people who are already accepted may not be asked for transcripts?
Or people who are already rejected or deferred
@shehar17 As I said, very few people get asked for additional information, including Q1 grades.For the vast majority, the AOs have everything they need from the application. Since the subcommittees have finished meeting, yes, I do think a large chunk of rejected/deferred applicants have been identified. I would read nothing, though, into not receiving a request for additional information.
I’m not surprised, actually. @skieurope is completely correct. Remember the numbers–in the last 5 years, there have been 650 academic 1’s, 425 extracurricular 1’s, and 37 personal 1’s. There have been 94 overall 1’s. The people who get a 1 on Harvard’s scale are essentially so mind-bogglingly good that it simply defies logic. They often go above and beyond conventional awards and stereotypical ECs. That isn’t to say that Harvardians are gods (since 1’s make up a tiny portion of each class) or that you need to be even near this level to be accepted. It’s simply a reality check on the system. A 2 is fantastic; to me, that indicates national-level achievement or incredible talent/passion. A 2 overall rating is even more impressive.
Good luck to you all.
This was in reference to post #500 and the conversation regarding Harvard’s rating system. ^
does anyone else think Harvard AOs rated @jzducol 's daughter very harshly? seems much harsher than the standards described in the lawsuit…is the type of harshness in giving out the ratings that we can all expect?
^ I think my DD ratings are inline with the data coming out of the lawsuit. “2” is a rare and phenomenal rating in Harvard admissions, and my DD was lucky to receive a few "2"s actually.
On athletics? No, based on the detail given. On academics? Maybe a bit. But here’s the deal - I really doubt @jzducol 's daughter cares. She got accepted, which was the goal.
Remember, at the end of the day, this is not a simple mathematical formula where the ones with the lowest point total get the thick envelope.
@jzducol " But my DD was very lucky----she was invited to submit some additional materials if she wished in late Nov. It turned out the material was later reviewed by a very prominent faculty on the admissions committee right before the full committee met and she got a rating of “1-” from that professor, which clinched the deal for her."
If you don’t mind me asking, what were the additional materials she submitted? (i.e. research paper, abstract, art supplements…)
@AnnaNura Id like to think that I have an upward trend. My grades we’re definitely stongest my Junior year. I live in Georgia by the way.
I cannot get into any detail other than to say that the request for additional info came in a rather casual email from an AO, something to the effect of saying: its optional, but if you wish to show us more about your EC you are welcome to use the slideroom to upload additional material. It is only in hindsight, after reviewing the admission file, did it become clear to us how significant such a small request was in the context of her admission.
One piece of best advice we got from a HYPS AO was that we stay put during holidays in admission season, in case such unusual needs arise. It turned out to be very prescient, since my DD would not be able to put together the materials if we were out of town during Thanksgiving.
@jzducol You said the request to your daughter for additional information (optional) was just before the full committee meeting last year. This year the full committee has already been meeting since Monday. I assume that means we are a few days beyond the point when your daughter received that email from AO. Am I right?
if i were to submit a creative writing supplement, do any of you know if this would be reviewed by faculty or by the admissions staff themselves (in the RD round)? generally very conflicted on whether to do it or not 
@ech019 Are you an international or domestic applicant?