Waitlisted at Harvard

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>First off, there is probably some other thread like this already established somewhere on the site, but I am new, so I apologize. I was waitlisted at Harvard recently after applying Regular Decision and I was wondering if I have any chances. Here are my stats:</p>

<p>Class Rank: 2 out of 476 (largest public school in the state)
SATs: 2200 (700 R, 710 M, 790 W)
SAT IIs: 790 Math II, 730 U.S. History, 650 Biology M
APs: Spanish Language 4, Calc BC 3, Physics 2 (that one sucked). I am going to take the AP Chem test and AP European History test next month.</p>

<p>Taking a total of 5 APs in high school, maxed out schedule with a high GPA. I took two college courses at local universities and did well on both. </p>

<p>Extracurrics:
Class President for two years in a row
School senator for three years in a row
Editor of the school newspaper and co-contributor to the school magazine (last year)
Member of the diversity club/Model UN for 4 years
Distinguished member of the school's debate team for the past 3 years, including one year as VP
Membership in numerous honor societies and community organizations
Over 500 hours in volunteerism at hospitals, soup kitchens, senior homes, etc.
Student representative to the school board
Delegate to Boy's Nation, Governor at my home state's Boys State
Started my own tutoring program for Hispanic students this past year
Fluent in four languages (not really extracurric, but I guess it helps)</p>

<p>Sports wise I played soccer JV for freshman and sophomore year, but I don't think it's gonna help. I am also starting a cricket team for our school this spring.</p>

<p>I got a grand total of 8 fantastic recommendations from my teachers, school principal, and college professors. My essay was good. I was interviewed by a Harvard alum in my home city and then was called down to Cambridge about a month later for a second interview with the assistant dean of admissions. I heard this was standard procedure. </p>

<p>I sent a letter to Harvard expressing my interest as soon as I received the waitlisted letter, and I also had my guidance counselor call Harvard to vouch for me. I got into Cornell and that is currently my top choice.</p>

<p>Any and all responses will be greatly appreciated!</p>

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<p>the 2nd interview with the assistant dean of admissions is not really standard procedure, imo.</p>

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<p>you made it onto the waitlist, which means that you have the academic qualifications to go to harvard. from my understanding, they are going to handpick students with certain talents to round out the class of '11.</p>

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<p>Honestly, you've done all you can do, sent in updates, obviously made it onto the waitlist. As a fellow waitlistee - stats should be somewhere in my post history if you are so interested, best advice is to stop fretting and simply hope for the best (don't worry I'm failing to exactly follow this as well). Good luck!</p>

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<p>Eight Letters?!?!?!?</p>

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<p>Haha yeah, I think I went a bit overboard by sending in eight letters, but all of them were meaningful supplements, each from a different individual who knew me from a different perspective.</p>

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<p>I think following directions is important. Harvard Admission says right on its website:</p>

<p>Q: Should students send supplementary recommendations?</p>

<p>A: While we can make careful evaluations with required recommendations, we are happy to read helpful letters from people directly familiar with applicants' lives outside the classroom. Such letters are not necessary, however, and it is generally advisable to submit no more than two or three.</p>

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<p>Personally, I sent in one extra recommendation and got in. I don't think this will necessarily hurt you, however. I think you have an average shot if Harvard does go to its waitlist. However, I will be honest and say it is very likely Harvard will admit very few, if any, applicants from its waitlist this year.</p>

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<p>Well, I haven't sent in any extra recommendations, cause I thought 8 was enough, but I did send them a letter that clearly expressed my interest. And, how do you know if Harvard will admit very few, if any, applicants from the waitlist this year? Dartmouth I know went over, but did Harvard as well?</p>

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<p>i got in off the wait list recently. so harvard has indeed already started drawing from that list... which may be of some comfort to you. when i asked my regional admissions counselor how many they were planning to accept she told me that it "wasn't public knowledge yet" but that it was going to be "very few"... whatever that means</p>

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<p>Does anyone know where I can find the contact information of my regional admissions officer?</p>

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<p>Karibu88, call the general number for Harvard Admissions and ask them to give to connect you to the regional officer.</p>

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<p>Thank you. I will do that.</p>

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<p>i was told by email that they cannot provide that info!</p>

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<p>Yes, they cannot give you the number but they can connect you to the officer's voicemail or office.
And they can also give you your officer's email id. But once again, I don't know how effective that is. If you manage to talk to your officer, good. If you just leave a message or email, you probably won't get a response (at least from my experience).</p>

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<p>averageteen, do you know if you got in or not yet?</p>