<p>So I applied last year but never completed my application (didn't have a 3rd SAT II score), but I still received a rejection letter from Harvard. I took a gap year afterwards, and I need to apply to colleges again. Would I be categorized as 'previously rejected' by Harvard? It's important to know because applicants who were previously rejected have a much lower chance of being admitted.</p>
<p>Well, if you received a rejection letter, I think it’s safe to assume you’ll be “categorized” as previously rejected. I can’t claim to know the extent to which being previously rejected will hurt your application. I doubt it’ll hurt your chances too much, though. I would guess that the reason the admit rate for previously rejected candidates is (a) that Harvard’s admission rate is already extremely low and (b) most candidates who reapply are rejected for the same reasons they were rejected in the first place. If your application is indeed stronger and seriously competitive, I think it would have a negligible if any effect.</p>