<p>To take an extreme, though, I think that a student who did not fit the prevailing culture at the U.S. Military Academy would have a very hard time of it.</p>
<p>I think that there is a rather intense focus on Accomplishment at Harvard. That doesn’t have to mean monetary success, so it allows for philosophers, math/science types, and poets, as long as they are highly accomplished. Similarly, it allows for non-profit work that is highly goal-oriented, and all majors.</p>
<p>In a post on the Harvard admissions web site, about taking a gap year, William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Harvard College, Marlyn E. McGrath, Director of Admissions, Harvard College, and Charles Ducey, Adjunct Lecturer in Psychology, Harvard Graduate School of Education collectively remark
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<p>This can be found at the site [Harvard</a> College Admissions § Applying: Taking Time Off](<a href=“http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/time_off/index.html]Harvard”>http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/time_off/index.html)</p>
<p>Now, on the one hand, it is unlikely that a student would be admitted to H, Y, or P, if the student did not have some orientation toward achievement. Yet, do you think the folks are Harvard are simply exaggerating for effect? And do you think the same is true at Y and P?</p>