Yes indeed. A brain fart on my part. I corrected my post. @worldwide1
Not necessarily, as I’ve discussed often in this thread.
@bruhinterviewme
Are you a legacy too? Your application seems might strong so i would not be surprised if you are an admit without interview
@x2019x it’s awesome, so many great people and opporunities it can be overwhelming at times. beyond sure i made the right choice.
@arnkim nah it’s too late for harvard to make a significant impact tbh for me. if I’m a finalist then I’ll consider for other schools haha
@lilyfullford I have not had any queries in my portal. With the strength of your application, especially 351, a 2 hour interview, and these “strange” requests and uploads, i would be cautiously optimistic.
@rockstar4592 @“rêveuse” It specifically said “LIST your intellectual activities.” It did not say write an essay and you only had a 150 word limit. Not following the instructions is not going to make you a more attractive candidate. If they wanted you to elaborate they would’ve said elaborate as they did for the essay about your extracurricular activity.
@worldwide1 No they were just pretty clever people. Some had really good grades and some pretty good ECs. Others had good (not great grades), but pretty unique ECs.
@foolgirl mine was uploaded December 3rd
@reedmroue I think he’s referring to the question where it said to elaborate on one extracurricular that you liked the most. For that one, you should talk about more personal parts of the activity and what it shows about you, not just elaborate in explaining what you did or what awards you’ve won.
@Euclid314 I think they were talking about the other essay, but if they meant this one then yes you are right.
Not for nothing, but applicants should be aware that when you ask other HS seniors, either here or IRL, to judge your ECs, essays, etc., that they are likely as clueless about the admissions process as you are. Consider the source when weighing the responses. 
Hi, I’ve also been following for a bit and I’m wondering what you guys think of my chances:
Bio: International Male Black (Nigerian/British)
Applied for Financial Aid
Intended Major: Engineering/Comp Sci/ Art
Stats: ACT - 35 Math 2 - 800 Physics - 800
Grades: Go to UK school but my GPA recalculated is 4.28 (4.3 is the max for UK students on Harvard’s scale according to the trial docs). But I take the most challenging course load available
No class rank
ECs:
Co-founder of small non-profit (only have like £5000 raised) that teaches STEM stuff (coding, robotics, engineering basics) to kids in underprivileged parts of Nigeria and London
Research paper at Oxford Uni (not published) - submitted abstract
Research paper at Surrey Uni (not published) - submitted abstract
Designing a unique phone case with commercial plans (patent pending)
Make Art with code (submitting art portfolio)
Published app on App Store + know eight programming languages (started when I was 11)
Head of school coding club
Run a blog where I write on sports, music, culture, etc
Editor of school paper
Student leadership
Acted in a bunch of school plays (and lead in some)
Boys scouts (won some national awards for it)
Dance at school talent shows and in a dance group
Tutors kids in my school and other high schools
Just qualified for British Maths Olympiad and Physics Olympiad (but too late for Harvard)
Essays: Got really good reviews (like 9/10). Pretty personal - CommonApp is deep (story about me in my grandmas house in Nigeria and how that environment shaped me as a person and my goals and stuff like that) and the supplement is light-hearted (nothing academic).
Recs: I have 4 (one’s from my research supervisor at Oxford). I’ve only seen 3 though. They all said I’m like the best student they’ve ever seen. Haven’t seen the last one. (I waived my FERPA rights but teachers showed me when they were done)
Harvard interview was good (we had lots of common interests - coding, non-profits, etc). It lasted like 1 hour, 40 mins (apparently they’re meant to last about 45 mins). When the interview was done, we continued to talk for like 15 mins about politics and stuff. I didn’t elaborate too well on some of my academic activities though.
Chances?
@skieurope Thanks. It’s important for us all to keep what happens here in perspective. In all honesty, we’re all in the same place and are probably checking this forum to just help with our anxiety & get an idea of the competition.
@rêveuse @reedmroue I have not done anything over the top extraordinary (I did get the president’s volunteer service award though), but I do have a small non-profit business in which I tutor non-native English speakers in English over Skype. It wasn’t a legitimized business when I started my application, but I have a whole website and students in five different countries now. I didn’t put it on my college application for Harvard, so they don’t know about it. Should I write a little letter for the admissions committee and tell them about my business and then submit it on the portal?
Your call. I’m not sure. If you feel it will legitimately help you then definitely add it to your app, but I feel as if most decisions are close to being done. It’s your decision though I do not know the circumstances that well to tell you.
@rockstar4592 I wouldn’t. It would come across as though you just put it up/made this organization to pad your application. Also, the term “nonprofit organization” is a legal term that you shouldn’t use unless your business is legitimized by the proper forms. Hope this helps. Definitely include it on your regular apps though.
@reedmroue i know multiple ppl who wrote a mini essay instead of doing a list for that question who were admitted. don’t think they really care.
While Harvard appreciates applications who follow directions, some directions are more critical than others.
So the prompt “Please use the space below to list additional intellectual activities that you have not mentioned or detailed elsewhere in your application.” does indeed say “list,” but expanding upon it slightly, while keeping to the word limit, will not be detrimental. By the same token, those that simply provided a list are also fine.
Conversely, when they say “If you need to update your identification or contact information, or send updates, additional information, or corrections, please do so via the Applicant Status Portal,” then that means don’t send an email. The fact that you send an email (and did not follow directions) is not what will get you dinged. What disadvantages the applicants in this case is that they will not download attachments sent via email.
Is it bad if you did not include additional intellectual activities? What are examples of additional intellectual activities?