When a college has 37,000+ for RD alone, you figure that they cannot conduct an in-depth holistic review of each application; they simply would never make their minds. I didn’t get an interview yet. I understand that an interview doesn’t carry that much weight but with so little volunteers, wouldn’t the school need to show a bit of interest in the applicants that it wants by scheduling interviews? My region is close to Harvard and I probably would have gotten an interview right now had they shown interest. My region is competitive as well. You may think that I’m taking this too far, but is it possible that I have already been weeded out of the running to actually have my application reviewed by committee? Isn’t that what region representatives do? I don’t think it’s so far-fetched. While I do have extenuating circumstances and an interesting story, my GPA is a 3.2 (UW) and my SAT is 1990. My numbers do not scream overachiever. So I’m curious as to whether or not this could be a possibility.
Yes it’s highly possible. And you have to know that your low stats diminish or even eliminates your chances in an already dismally competitive applicant pool.
But in all likelihood, your being assigned/not assigned an interviewer is no indication of such a thing. I can guarantee you that +90% of all those who have already interviewed or are scheduled to receive one will be rejected.
There are interviews that are scheduled and not yet conducted for whom the applicant has already been weeded out. The report, when submitted, won’t even be read.
Thank you for your insight this morning! I just wish they would tell me and others like myself that we have been rejected and aren’t going to be sent to full committee for review. It would be more efficient to tell us earlier. It would definitely allow one to move on with their life as soon as possible.
Exactly! But there’s more. Some applicants will not be interviewed until after a positive decision has been made on their application. This happened with my son and Princeton, where he received a likely letter more than a month before hearing from his interviewer.
OP, the alternative would keep all 36,000 applicants glued to their email accounts 24/7 for months. Anxiety would mount and ulcers would grow. Homework would go down the toilet.
It really is better for the applicants to release all the news on a single designated day.
Go ask the people on the PSU decision thread what they think of rolling admissions. Bring a bulletproof vest. WasatchWriter is on point.
I guess that’s true. I guess I’m just having a period of impatience right now. It’s just this process that’s kind of annoying. You can’t change the past and that kills you sometimes.
No chance at all, time to move on.
Yes, you are going to want to be thinking more about your matches and safeties.
A 3.2% RD acceptance rate coupled with the fact that many of the kids who have already been accepted at the very top SCEA and EA schools are throwing in an app just because it’s Harvard means that everyone should pretty much not be thinking about an acceptance. Unfortunately, with your stats, you really stand little chance of getting in. Harvard has scores of kids with extenuating circumstances and interesting stories who also manage to be “overachievers” academically so they don’t need to take chances on kids who haven’t proven they are able to handle Harvard’s rigorous academic workload.
OP: by joint Ivy agreement, the schools only have two definitive notification periods. The first is in mid December where Ivies notify EA/ED applicants. The second is the late March “Ivy Day” where all eight release their decisions.
In the past, schools used to send out post cards to some students after the initial read. There were “likely to be admitted” and “unlikely to be admitted” cards sent. Can you imagine? wow!
@Sherpa: I’ll bet you 100% that although PTon found enough in your kid’s app to issue him a likely letter, they leaned heavily on the interviewing group to get a face in front of him in order to assist them with persuading his eventual matriculation. In my interviewing group, this has happened sometimes too – where a previously un-assigned applicant gets a Likely Letter and then the word is sent to the local director to get a charming alum to meet the lucky student.
@T26E4 - Excellent theory, but it seems the interviewer was chosen randomly, as they were unaware of the existence of likely letters or that DS had received one. Not that it mattered; the decision to attend Princeton had already been made.
Some applicants will have extenuating circumstances but grades and scores that meet the benchmark. I think people are trying to help you relax and move on rather than give you a negative message 
It seems as if it would almost be a relief for you to hear a no. Try to move on regardless of Harvard: just try not to think about it at all until the notification day, and be prepared for the no, just like everyone else. Good luck!
No, I understand. I am immensely thankful for the fact that this community community exists. People who are going to tell you the complete truth are necessary. I guess I am being quite thankless. I did get into a few schools with scholarship offers which are a surprise with my GPA…Harvard is not the end all be all. I guess even I’m buying into its Narnia-like status.
You’re right on the money with that comment. “Harvard” is a modern myth, just as Narnia is. The real Harvard is not what people think. I don’t mean to diminish it. But when you talk to Harvard students (e.g., my kid), they discuss it the way any kid discusses any college. Like a normal place, with strengths and weaknesses. And the dorms are really hot in August.
What do you mean “just as Narnia is”.
I roll with my G’s (plus all our celebs) in Narnia. I’m the President of Narnia 
OP good luck! What’re your EC’s?