Official Harvard SCEA 2016 Applicants' Discussion Thread

<p>My child was told he would thrive in Harvard by harvard interviewer and he fits in MIT by MIT interviewer
What did yours say?</p>

<p>My interviewer told me that I was a good applicant and that he would push for my admittance to Harvard. BUT, he started the interview by talking about all the other schools I was applying to and told me that I would get into a good school and that Harvard was really hard to get into. At the end he was like, “you’re the best applicant that I’ve ever interviewed”, though.</p>

<p>My MIT on the other hand told me I had a good shot at MIT but I should not go to Harvard if I got in because “all Harvard undergraduates are *******s.” So my interviews were just confusing.</p>

<p>Mine said that most people get deferred</p>

<p>I think MIT interviewer really want you to join MIT. But I have to admit Harvard interviewer is confusing. I guess you have a chance there too, though the interviewer might feel it is still hard for you to get in. Although the interviewers don’t decide the admission, it is good to collect the results of their comment on applicants’ chance and compare with the admission result later to reach a conclusion whether the interviewers have any influence</p>

<p>Come to think of it, I heard a lot about Princeton in my Harvard interview…</p>

<p>@leighearth: At my interview I was told (2) and (3). I know for a fact that another interviewee from my school was told (4).</p>

<p>My interviewer basically said Harvard is too dry(people are too serious and social life doesn’t exist), and that I should apply to schools in California that have a more lively atmosphere. Awesome.
Oh and also #4, along with saying that he doesn’t control Harvard’s decision, and that the interview is only helpful if a red alarm is raised about the applicant.<br>
Aaaand that’s when I gave up my dreams of receiving an acceptance letter from Harvard.</p>

<p>Alright guys I know we aren’t supposed to put too much value on certain scores, etc., but after looking at past results, I’m kind of like DANG. My SAT I(ss) is a 2250, SAT IIs are both 800s.
I’m ranked 10/1226. You didn’t read that wrong, my class is made up of 1226 students lol.
I feel like that’s good, but “10” is a pretty big number taken at face value…
SOO…</p>

<p>i wonder if you’d have to get a negative GPA to be 1226/1226</p>

<p>I guess it is always the best for the students to find a school that fits. But what the interviewer said was just a single opinion based on a single experience. Did you express you want to have a lot of social activities? It is reasonable to think that Harvard people might not have time to relax and social without any purpose. So, do consider all possible schools even after Harvard admits you.</p>

<p>My interviewer asked me about what other schools I am considering, but he didn’t seem to try to dissuade me from Harvard.
He did say #1 also, but the best part was that at the end he said “Harvard would be very lucky to have you.”</p>

<p>Well one of my two extracurricular focuses(foci?) is cultural activites, so I think that’s what he was referring to. I also asked him about social life at Harvard at the end of the interview, and his answer was that the environment is very is cutthroat and that it’s rather difficult to find someone who wants to enjoy life for a change.
He was extremely kind and seemed interested in my activities, but I’m afraid the review might not have been a good one :(</p>

<p>Hope for the best, expect the worst. Guess that means I’m not prepared for a deferral!</p>

<p>Supposedly the FA office and admissions are completely separate. Thats what need-blind means. It shouldn’t be an indication, but it very much so could be.</p>

<p>Great answer to post 1023 :)</p>

<p>Hi guys!</p>

<p>Stanford decisions came out, and it’s an f****** bloodbath.</p>

<p>Guys, seeing the Stanford results suddenly made everything seem so much more real.
One of my best friends was just rejected…and I don’t get it.
I can’t stop thinking about how bad a rejection will feel. GOD, PLEASE NO.</p>

<p>okay ***. My interviewer didn’t say anything to me about me and Harvard. Not that I was a fit nor did he say it is super hard to get in. Is this bad?!</p>

<p>Or can i just conclude that he is very reserved (which he was)</p>

<p>Advice from the admissions office for interviewers during interviews: “It is very important not to create any impressions or expectations, positive or negative, about the student’s probability of admission. Even if you think he or she is under-qualified, it is not your place to make suggestions about their college applications. Though well intentioned, it is inappropriate for the interview setting.”</p>

<p>I was reading student reviews of Harvard and I saw the following:
To be honest, Harvard’s campus facilities are truly outstanding. However, after just 4 months of matriculating, what i felt at Harvard was disappointments and personal misery. I did very hard in my high school and i have my perfect grades and my extracurricular activities in depth. At Harvard, it amazed me that it actually has NO social life and the professors are the least approachable people IN THE WHOLE WROLD!!! Well i am a student who was looking for teacher-student interaction and the friendliness of current students, when i arrived at Harvard, what i saw, what i heard, are all the arrogant and immature brats who is fond of boasting how much wealth their parents currently have, that sucks. With such unapprochable faculties and those superfacial kids, Harvard shouldn’t have got the highest reputation around the world. Sigh… I was shocked when the USnews College ranking again ranked Harvard as the No.1 national university. what you’ll get from Harvard are just personal misery, endless disappointments, and also, the confusion on who you really are.It’s not fair! DON NOT apply to HARVARD!<br>
What do you guys think? I wouldn’t let my child to be in this kind of misery.</p>