<p>Does being an Intel STS finalist guarantee admission into Harvard, and every other college for that matter? Anyone know, or hear of, STS finalists being rejected? Thanks.</p>
<p>Hail no it doesn't.</p>
<p>well u couldnt possibly be one...they're not announced yet, so dont bet on becoming one, because that outcome is as fickle and whimsical as the harvard admissions office (ok, maybe not THAT fickle)</p>
<p>it does not guarantee admission. Nothing guarantees admission to Harvard</p>
<p>I heard last year that one STS finalist who applied to Harvard was rejected. It's not an auto-admit but the kinds of things they're looking for are similar to many of the qualities Harvard looks for as well.</p>
<p>Take this as something you can bank on: there is NO extracurricular or scholastic achievement that gives you a lock on Harvard admission. None, nada, nil. </p>
<p>To be sure, students with nationally outstanding accomplishments fare much better in admission at all of the selective schools than do mere valedictorians (because there are tens of thousands of high schools from Podunk to Lake Wobegon, and every one of those high schools has a student with top grades). But that is from the probabilistic point of view: you can raise your odds by achieving much (subject to the element of luck that exists in every competitive activity) but you can't bring your odds up to 100 percent. </p>
<p>Best wishes on your applicants. Definitely fill out the application forms and submit them to the colleges you dream about. Don't forget to line up a sure-bet safety school too.</p>
<p>Stanford, I believe, has a policy of offering admission to any Intel STS finalist.</p>
<p>That's what I've heard. Listen, nothing is a lock on Harvard admissions, but if you're good enough to make STS finals, you're probably a pretty strong candidate at any college as well.</p>