<p>Yeah, you aren’t a poor test-taker. I doubt your math score, then, would have much of an effect unless you indicated that you wanted to be a math major or something (who knows?). Besides, you were wait-listed, not rejected. And sorry if I seemed snarky in my posts. If you re-read our little exchange, you struck the first blow by calling me arrogant, when I was clearly not (unless saying “test scores matter” and “a 580 is low” demonstrates arrogance). I was just giving my two cents.</p>
<p>By the way, congrats on NYU. My brother goes there and loves it (actually he’s in England for his sophomore year). </p>
<p>Haha, I definitely didn’t apply as a wannabe math major (or concentrator, haha). In fact, I think I made it pretty clear on all of my applications that I didn’t want to do anything math- or science- related, which is why it upset me when my applications to top 15 schools were summarily rejected anyway. It also bothers me because it’s not as if I’m incapable of doing the math on the SAT - I aced trig and precalc, although I am aware that most everyone on these forums could do that in their sleep. I just can’t do it within the time constraints of the SAT. </p>
<p>I feel like I’m being incoherent, but my point is that I feel absolutely certain I wouldn’t flunk out of Harvard. If I had trouble with a science requirement that involved math, for instance, an unlikely but presumably possible scenario, I would get tutoring and make sure I did well in the class because my education is really, really important to me. Aside from my family and friends, it’s the single most important thing in my life. And I guess I feel worthy, despite my considerable weaknesses, because I know that I would never dream of messing up the opportunities I have.</p>
<p>I’m going to stop rambling now, but you’re forgiven, Felix. I’m sorry for calling you arrogant. Also, I love your username. :)</p>
<p>I think I’m going to call the admin office on Mon. and get my rep’s contact info. I found the email online, but I’m not sure if it’s super-current because one of the addresses didn’t work.</p>
<p>Oh and going by the reasons listed, it’s definitely for below average SAT’s, which doesn’t bode well for me. Is it worth explaining in my letter, because, for me, it’s more than just ‘test anxiety’ because my GPA is still above the average.</p>
<p>The whole concept of the wait-list is a joke. I’m a student at Harvard and worked at their undergraduate admissions office this Winter and Spring. Talking to Dean Fitzsimmons, he told me that this year’s waitlist probably won’t yield anything since they admitted slightly higher than their average to account for it. They are using the waitlist to make themselves seem more competitive, since they can include waitlisted candidates in the rejection pile, thus lowering their standards. I was really irked when I heard this since I still have good friends in high school who were waitlisted at Harvard. I personally suggested to those friends that they just end the process by not responding to the waitlist just to spite Harvard (since they like keeping a large waitlist yield, for “statistical prestige” is what they call it here), especially since they are happy with the schools they got into. </p>
<p>To anyone else waitlisted, I would honestly do that if you got into other top choices, I’m so over the haughtiness and duplicity of the Harvard admissions committee, and am really disappointed with the system they have. Needless to say, I won’t be applying to Harvard for Medical School (yes they have different admissions offices, but the attitude is the same).</p>
This makes no sense. How would the % admitted be greater if the WLed applicants had been denied instead of WLed? And Harvard has need to go to the WL most years.</p>
<p>He probably is a ■■■■■, but he is correct that they did admit more this year than previous years. I would not be surprised if they only take 10 or so off the waitlist, but that doesn’t mean give up yet.</p>
<p>@Fatum: The target class size for the Class of 2015 is 1667. There were 2158 students accepted. More than 491 students would have to turn down Harvard in order for H to go to the waitlist.</p>
<p>@hahalolk: 10 sounds like an extremely low estimate to me. Last year’s yield was around 76%. (.76)*(2158)=1640. If the yield remains constant, 1640 students should accept Harvard’s offer. That would leave 27 spots for waitlisted candidates.</p>
<p>Thanks lutherjw! Given the surge of applications to Ivy league schools this year, any guesses on its effect on yield?</p>
<p>Also, anyone tried calling harvard and ask for how many people are on the waitlist? I called them for my regional admo’s email and asked what should be done as a waitlisted candidate, but forgot to ask how many people were waitlisted…</p>
<p>BTW, the lady I spoke to recommended sending an indication of interest, but I think we all know that haha.</p>
<p>sorry felix, i didn’t mean that at all. I just feel like we’ve all gotten to know you through CC! Harvard is definitely missing out. you seem like a great applicant and I wish you all the best wherever you go.</p>
<p>I know it’s a low estimate, but it wouldn’t be surprising. The difference between accepting 27 off the waitlist and none is a very small difference in yield. Hopefully the yield falls, but who knows, maybe this year more will accept than usual.</p>
<p>In the Crimson article Fitzsimmons said that they hope to take 50-100 from the wait list. That seems with rare exceptions on either side to be the norm for the past number of years. </p>
<p>I think that they may have some students whom the just want to see if some things do turn out in the second semester the way they hope-- if so-- accept–I don’t know this to be true-- but Fitzsimmons in an interview remarked on how some applications that were very good before would sparkle once the latest data was added. I bet that some on the wait list are on that “watch list” and some are to fill a need (an oboist --etc…) or some who the Regional Rep just loves and cant let go and convinces the rest of the Committee to take in the wait list meetings.</p>
<p>But the decisions will most likely be made before they see our final grades, right? Not that mine are <em>horrible</em>, but I might end up with a B in one class.</p>