<p>Yeah, just a quick question, do people apply cuz they actually like the campus and the people and really wanna study there or do they apply cuz it's ranked #1 in every ranking all the time and merely saying "I got accepted at Harvard" makes them feel all fuzzy and warm inside? What's the reason? Anyone can answer, I just wanna know why people want to go here. So badly. I know some kids apply just to see if they can get in, but have no intention of going, whether they're accepted or not. Isn't that kind of a waste of time?</p>
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<blockquote> <p>I know some kids apply just to see if they can get in, but have no intention of going, whether they're accepted or not. Isn't that kind of a waste of time?<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>Perhaps their indifference shows through on their applications and very few of these sorts of kids get in. Either that or they often change their minds and decide to attend Harvard once the fat envelope actually arrives, because H has the highest yield of any US university -at around 80%.</p>
<p>Or...perhaps they feign indifference during the admissions process in an effort to cover up their anxieties about their chances of acceptance.</p>
<p>I actually never intended to apply to harvard. Somebody just said: "Why don't you give it a shot!" And I thought: "Yeah, why not???"After all, I have worked for five months on my yale essays, so why not also use them on the harvard app. I did it, and I got in...but i never really considered going there. Harvard is a great school, and respect it immensely, but I am in love with Yale, and that's the place where I've always wanted to be...
BUT it would be great to attend Harvard for grad school...</p>
<p>People have a lot of reasons for getting a shot at Harvard, but for me it's extremely specific and pragmatic. First, Harvard promises to provide the FULL cost of attendance. Second, it doesn't require the TOEFL for int'l students ($130). I don't know why some overconfident kids would want to waste $65 on Harvard if they don't really want to go there. They're just making life difficult for both us honest folk and admission officers.</p>
<p>I'll be applying because of the HFAI (Full ride if parents make less than 40k a year)</p>
<p>Boston, anyone ? :)</p>
<p>I was born just outside of boston...now I live in Florida...why I want to return to Cambridge for Harvard:</p>
<ol>
<li>Top Quality Education/Academics</li>
<li>Awesome extracurricular opportunities
3.Boston is an awesome place...love that charles river...
4.I am a wild RED SOX fan!!!</li>
</ol>
<p>Hyper 2400's post gave me an idea: how about we each post our top 10 reasons for wanting to attend Harvard? ... In any case, Sarorah, these are the reasons I want to go to Harvard: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Because, when I wear the Harvard t-shirt, and people ask me if I go there, I could finally say yes.</p></li>
<li><p>Because I want to be able to give this to my mom: <a href="http://www.onlinesports.com/pages/I,LGA-HAU010-G.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.onlinesports.com/pages/I,LGA-HAU010-G.html</a> No, Im kidding.
But being a Harvard Mom would make her really proud.</p></li>
<li><p>Because I would feel really good about myself - I would see all my hard work finally pay off. </p></li>
<li><p>I want to be hated by Yalies. I know it sounds stupid, but I think the infamous rivalry (which is actually more one-sided than mutual, or at least thats what I hear) between Harvard and Yale is so cool. Yeah, I want to go to a football game and be despised by a Yalie.</p></li>
<li><p>The hardest math course in the country. Yeah, Im into math, and merely thinking about Math 55 gives me chills. :)</p></li>
<li><p>Some of my idols have attended Harvard. People who I immensely revere... If even a fraction of my class is as interesting as some of the alumni, can you imagine how awesome it would be to be in the company of such people for 4 years of your life? </p></li>
<li><p>The location. Boston is an absolutely amazing place for students. Not too big, not too small.... The transport is great and there are great places to go out. Also, it's fairly close to NYC which I'm absolutely in love with. </p></li>
<li><p>HFAI (even for internationals). My family income is below 40k/year and this is virtually my only hope for getting a full ride as an international. All right, I might be exaggerating a bit, but, trust me, its great to know I wont have to give a dime if I get accepted. </p></li>
<li><p>The education you receive. Now, this is an obvious one, but just think about it for a minute. Think of all the opportunities and resources you could have at your fingertips. Think how fascinating it is that you could explore anything you want. That you could learn absolutely anything you want to learn. Now, call me a nerd for saying this, but: It must be such a rush.</p></li>
<li><p>Because I know Ill fit right in.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I also want to be able to wear a Harvard sweater back at home proudly. I'll wear that thing to the movies, groceries, to the airport.... everywhere :)</p>
<p>Psst... crimson4me, your parents won't have to give a dime, but you will. I forget the exact numbers, but you will be expected to contribute about $1800 from your summer earnings, plus about $3500 in self help (work study and/or loans). Even then, though, it's still a GREAT deal for a Harvard education.</p>
<p>I will also be applying because of the HFAI, but my parents would prefer to reject the self help and pay it ourselves because that's how much we pay for the private school I go to now. Also Boston is one of the best locations for irish dance.</p>
<p>Oh look, you have to expect to work a little at college. After all it's for your own good. Not only the money, but the experience counts too you know.
Btw, I know a big reason why I DON'T want to go to Harvard. I'll be driven crazy w/ the workload. J/k, everyone here is willing to take the risk right?</p>
<p>I do work right now 8 hours a week but my father refuses to let me work during the week because he thinks it interfears with school work too much so I only work weekends. That is also why he says he will not allow me to get a job in college except for perhaps internships and the sort of stuff having to do directly with course work. They say they'd rather have me focus on school and pay them back after college when I can get more money not minimum wage like I work for now.</p>
<p>Of course I'm going to work at college... that goes without saying.</p>
<p>If your parents don't want you to get a job because it would interfere with your school work, I would still seriously recommend getting a job. If you can get a job at the library, or an information desk, or some other place like that, you are basically getting paid to do your homework. In many ways, having a job like that forces you to do your homework to keep out of boredom; without a job, you'd probably be more likely to do other things besides homework. Not only that, but I would imagine you'd be paid much more than $5.15 an hour; I know at Yale, the minimum wage is $10 an hour, and I would imagine that amount is similar at Harvard.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion I really wouldn't mind working but my parents have it quite set in their mind that they want to reject the loans and work study because they think we can skimp enough to pay for it. As for being able to do your homework at work that sounds quite rare to me since I work with kids right now. I also volunteer at my county's biggest library branch and never seem to see anyone "bored" at their jobs. But yes I most definately agree that they would certainly pay more than I earn now.</p>
<p>I have good reasons...
1. amazing education that is recognized everywhere (in terms of grad school and job applications)
2. the quality of the student environment (by surrounding yourself with amazing individuals you can only make yourself that much better!)
3. (I have to agree with crimson4me)... I want to see my hard work pay off</p>