@Chalupa911 - would you say the same about Columbia engineering? How cut throat? Any ideas?
So did anyone get a call?
Nothing for me
Btw ⊠All the people who got off the WL last wave in this thread, did you guys commit?
@chanrooster: Harvard is not anymore cut-throat than Columbia, or any other ivy league school.
FWIW: Just as course rigor varies among high schools, there are also varying levels of course rigor at different colleges. Harvard (and the rest of the ivies) â rightly, or wrongly â believe they are teaching to the gifted and talented students of this world. So, to challenge those âbest of the bestâ students, professors are encouraged to pour on the work. For example, some courses normally taught over an entire year at another college are taught during one semester at Harvard. Letâs take LS2 (Evolutionary Human Physiology and Anatomy), as an example, which is the Bio course recommended for students interested in pursing medical school: https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/adamfrange/files/life_sciences_2_evolutionary_human_physiology_and_anatomy_syllabus_2012.pdf?m=1360043982
The course is jammed packed with things you wouldnât be asked to do at another college, like identifying every bone in the human body by week two in the course, something most students at other universities donât do until medical school! Yes, itâs a fabulous experience, but because ivy league professors have higher expectations of their studentâs, few students actually get Aâs in the course. So, another student coming out of a flagship state college, which doesnât have as high expectations may have a higher GPA and be in a better position for medical school than a student coming out of an ivy league school with a B+ or A- in their pre-med courses. So, IMHO, be careful what you wish for!
I beg to differ. The competitive nature I referenced had nothing to do with âhard classesâ. Do your research! Learn about the âcompâ culture at Harvard⊠students need to compete to join a club, find housing, have a social life. Add in the importance of legacy and the sharp dichotomy between the haves and have nots and you get a very challenging lifestyle.
^^^ @chalupa911: Did you attend Harvard? Did you have a child attend Harvard? From your response, it seems doubtful. To wit: Harvard students do NOT have to fight for housing, as on-campus housing is guaranteed for all four years, and is randomly assigned. Harvard students do NOT have to fight to join clubs, or have a social life, and the experience for legacy and non-legacyâs is the same. Yes, there is a dichotomy between the haves and the have nots, but thatâs based upon every studentâs financial resources. For example, about 40% of Harvard students do NOT receive financial aid, meaning their families have the resources to fly them to exotic places for winter, spring or summer breaks. However, a studentâs financial resources have absolutely nothing to do with the university itself. A student would find the same experience at Yale, Princeton or any other ivy league school.
Full disclosure: I have done my research, as my daughter graduated from Harvard in 2015 and she was not a legacy and was almost on full financial aid. Her experience as a non-legacy did NOT differ from the students she knew who were legacies. She did not fight for housing, social life nor did she have to fight to join a club. Now @chalupa911, itâs your turn. Please disclosure your connection to Harvard!
I didnât hear anything either
@Chalupa911 It is very evident that your statements are based on unsubstantiated claims under the guise of research (vs. actual experiences at Harvard) because of the the inaccuracies in your statements. I have a current rising sophomore and I concur with @gibby. So @Chalupa911, whatâs your response to @gibbyâs question gonna be?
Hey parents, letâs keep it friendly on this thread. That being said, someone should discuss grade inflation.
Yeah @mts4444, I took @Chalupa911âs bait, but not for the reason you probably think.
So having a goal or dream is an ill-conceived obsession? I for one am thrilled to see students coming off the waitlist this year and itâs what keeps me coming on here, checking to see if there are any more updates. God bless the young dreamers and all the hard work theyâve put into those dreams. Hoping more people get good news today yet, whatever the outcome, these dreamers will do well no matter where they land. Now back to behind-the-scenes where I seem better suited. LOL
Both my wife and I are alums. Weâve had 2 kids go to Harvard and 2 that went to other great schools. My only point is that itâs a unique environment that isnât great for certain types of kids. Good luck to all.
@Chalupa911 FYI the kids are here because they have not yet been rejected, not rejected kids still pining for the elusive acceptance. Of course they all know to love the one that loves them back, but not having closure is difficult, especially since Harvard drags the wl and z list out to early July some years. And just because they may finally get in late doesnât make them any less worthy, or able to compete. Not sure why you feel the need to chime in now
Got a call from a 617 number but it turned out to be a phone scammer lol.
This was @Chalupa911 âs original post and I donât see anything wrong with it. I donât think itâs sinister at all. I have a sibling at Harvard and I chose another school over Harvard simply because I knew that the other school was a much better fit for me having seen Harvard âfrom the insideâ. Harvard is definitely not for everyone. My sibling loves their experience but many people do not/did not including @gibbyâs daughter I recall from his many posts to that effect.
The advice to move on is probably pretty good since the likelihood of getting accepted at this point is pretty small. The advice to not obsess about Harvard (or any school) is also sound because there is always more than meets the eye.
Just got the call today. Got in!
When I did my interview, I was told the biggest wave of acceptances would come during the final days of May or first week of of June (most likely)
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Was today the last day for acceptances then? Or, there are more to come?
Did anyone else hear back?
I highly doubt that. The admissions officer said that had just gotten out of a meeting and he called me as soon as they left. So Iâm fairly certain the majority is yet to come.
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