<p>Is it true that William Fitzsimmons, Dean of admissions and financial aid is THE one who decides whether or not an applicant is accepted?</p>
<p>Thanks.
Trixee</p>
<p>I don't know specifically about Harvard, but at most schools the Dean of Admissions has final authority to admit or deny. It's a part of the job. (S)He can override admissions committee decisions in either direction if so inclined, though they usually accept the adcom decisions for most applicants. So I suspect the answer to your question is yes.</p>
<p>Omg! thats great, cuz i met him at a college convention and we were talking for a while and he said i have a good chance...so does that mean anything or no?</p>
<p>not really. come on now, if you were the dean, and if you were talking to a nice, polite hs kid, would you say flat out in his face "No, you don't have a shot."?</p>
<p>also, i doubt he even remembers your name</p>
<p>haha. true. I'm sure he doesn't remember my name, but I think he'll remember my story.</p>
<p>Trixee- I don't mean to burst your bubble, but don't get your hopes up too much. I remember you skipped HS and went straight to a community college, so you have to apply as a transfer. I also seem to remember that you don't have that high of a GPA or SAT scores. Keep in mind that 1) very few transfers get in at all 2) most of them have academically excelled at their schools 3) very, very, very few transfers get in from community colleges. That's just the reality. Even though you have a different story than most people, don't count on getting brownie or bonus points just because you skipped high school. If anything, eyebrows may be raised as to why you didn't go to HS yet didn't excel at a community college given your low GPA. I am sure that there is a college out there that is perfect for you, and I just want to stress that very few get into Harvard via transferring. So be sure to have back up plans. Good luck!</p>
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<p>at most schools the Dean of Admissions has final authority to admit or deny.</p>
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<p>This is not the case at Harvard. Every application is voted on by the entire committee, and majority rules. The dean gets one vote just like everyone else.</p>
<p>Trixee,
I agree with EAS. Also, are you sure that he said that you have a "good chance?" That to me sounds unlikely because I have heard all of the adcoms at Harvard and Fitz say not to predict students' chances. </p>
<p>I am wondering if he said that you had a "chance" of admission, which certainly is true. I would be very surprised if he said "good chance" because he and others there don't want to set applicants up for big disappointment. After all, the college rejects many students whom other top colleges would eagerly accept. </p>
<p>Certainly you should apply to Harvard if it interests you. As is the case with all applicants, though, make sure that you have some solid back-up choices that you'd love attending.</p>