@fashionella
I had practically the same experience with Harvard not too long ago when I was applying to colleges (graduated within the past decade). Interview was held at the mansion of an alum and it was a panel interview, meaning that there were 3 Harvard alumni interviewers and me. It was incredibly intimidating sitting in this grand living room with three Harvard alums right across from me. They really drilled me on my grades and awards above all else and kept repeating how hard it is to make it to harvard since every top students wants to go there.
Even though it was not a great experience and it reinforced a lot of the Harvard stereotypes I had in mind, i then realized that one interaction with people who graduated decades and decades ago didn’t represent the Harvard experience. I didn’t end up getting accepted to Harvard and instead attended another ivy but I have a lot of friends who had a great experience there.
Plus it is rather hard to turn down a Harvard acceptance. At this stage of the process it is rather easy proclaiming that Harvard is last on your list but if you are one of the very few lucky ones to actually get that acceptance letter, chances are you will end up choosing it over the other choices you mention.