<p>Hey guys, i just watched an episode on suits where Rachael gets rejected from Harvard University, though she has all the superb qualities that I am sure any other ivy league would want in a candidate. But what I want to know is, are they really THAT strict when it comes to selecting candidates? Gosh I feel so sorry for all those who got rejected! I am thinking about applying to those universities by next year hopefully, since I am an o levels student and planning to take the sats next year. Today’s world is becoming increasingly competitive! Why can’t we all enjoy life AND get into ivy leagues? lol ><‘’</p>
<p>My 2 cents fwiw: It isn’t that they are strict, it’s more that they are very selective because they have to be.</p>
<p>99.9% of applicants applying to these schools are ALL at the top of their class, President of this, head of that, etc. There’s no way they can admit everyone. So a candidate must bring something different to the table. You need to differentiate yourself – give them a reason to choose your perfect test scores and GPA instead of John Smith’s paper record. </p>
<p>And it’s not only Ivys. It’s the Boston Colleges, Dukes, UVAs, etc., so many others that have a high number of applicants who are all very well qualified and who would likely do very well at the school.</p>
<p>Hopefulwish: Harvard needs to reject 94% of applicants. How strict would you need to be if you were sitting in the admissions committee room?</p>
<p>Common sense economics. More buyers than sellers.</p>
<p>My I suggest listening to this?</p>
<p><a href=“Behind The Scenes: How Do You Get Into Amherst? : NPR”>Behind The Scenes: How Do You Get Into Amherst? : NPR;
<p>Unlike what Rebound 2015 said, actually about 50% of the people who apply to top 20 colleges are just normal, toward-the-top 20% people of their class who already know it’s a crap shoot. Only about a small minority of people really really expect to get in. It’s really competitive at Harvard, because they really do rejected valedictorians all the time, but there’s a pretty large gap between HYPSM and everything else. Rebound2015 speaks exaggeration.</p>
<p>“Rebound2015 speaks exaggeration.”</p>
<p>i don’t think I do. All I said is you need to bring something different to the table to differentiate yourself and if you or your kid didn’t, and got in “just because” then great for you – but you aren’t the norm. </p>
<p>The OP was talking Ivys. I’ve seen it happen with Dukes UVAs and UNCs too, so again, If you are stating that, ABSENT in-state residency deference, average kids stroll into these Universityies and take a spot, then it seems like you’re the one exaggerating (or perhaps just looking to stir the pot here). The kids I know who have been turned away are very bright and have all the makings for what would otherwise seem to make them a great candidate.</p>
<p>If a candidate isn’t at that academic level and it’s that “far” of a reach for him or her (as you claim it is for at least half of the applicant pool), that applicant has likely just donated his or her app fe to the university.</p>
<p>Total waste of application $ imo. Exaggerated, or not.</p>
<p>^Just check out the Dartmouth/Cornell/U Penn RD threads and most of them aren’t “unique” per se.</p>
<p>Not that it matters, but Rachel was applying to H Law :).</p>
<p>Rebound 2015- yeah you’re absolutely right! Thanks for the advice! 
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<p>T26E4- I see I see. Yeah but I mean like every other applicant I just hope they’d be a lot more lenient! Haha :)</p>
<p>Tomatox- so there’s still a chance for all of us? Yay! Haha </p>
<p>Entomom- hahaha she did didn’t she! Are you a suits fan also? :)</p>
<p>You like Suits too? I love that show! Can’t wait for it to come back on.</p>
<p>i love it! Yeah me too. My brother said it’d come out pretty soon! Since they’re already recording season 3.</p>
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<p>you have much to learn, young, naive one</p>
<p>Rachel was rejected because she was meant to be rejected. The logic behind it was absent.</p>