@Barcelona17 Just for the deferred applicants to discuss what else they are doing or something. It was just a thought. It’s just sad how this thread is dying.
Hi guys, I gpt into harvard EA and was wondering if it’s normal/worth it to apply to a few other schools as well - Yale, Princeton, MIT? Thanks!
@songoflove It is your decision. Do you prefer them to Harvard? Has Harvard provided insufficient aid? If your answer to both questions is no, then what is the point?
@songoflove I also asked myself the two above questions ^^ and realised it is not worth it.
In terms of what’s ‘normal’, for most people who apply to Harvard SCEA, Harvard is their first-choice school, and so would attend if accepted. But so it depends on where your first-choice is - don’t just do what’s considered ‘normal’
It also takes away potential spots from other kids in your school/district etc if u apply “just for fun.” Or “just to see” but have no interest in accepting. Not cool.
Many applicants apply REA to Harvard where it is their clear first choice. For those fortunate enough to be admitted, so long as it is financially viable, there is no need to consider other options.
Many other applicants apply REA with no clear commitment. In some cases, Harvard may not even be their preference. Strategic factors (e.g., legacy, not wanting to be bound to an ED school) may play a role. REA acceptance is not binding, and it is certainly reasonable to apply to a few schools if you think you might conceivably prefer them.
Both options are valid. It all depends on what’s right for you.
Here’s the ultimate question: If you were to not apply to any other schools, would you regret it? Are you 100% sure you want to go to Harvard? Do you have any doubts about your confidence for the previous answer?
If you are completely and utterly sure you want to go to Harvard, then there is no need. Applying for the hell of it to other schools with no real intention of going there will only be unfair to your peers who are committed to those schools. Although it may be great to say that you were accepted to x universities, in essence, you have taken a spot from another student who could have been extremely interested in that university.
Like @renaissancedad said, it’s based on what’s right for you. If you feel that options are necessary, go ahead. But if you’re set on Harvard, it’s best–at least for your peers–that you not. Plus, it’s less application material to go through.
In agreement with what everyone else said and another note could be do you have enough time to create quality applications for these other schools? It’s the final hour and you may be rushing to finish applications and perfect essays.
Hey songoflove, I would just like to add one more post to this thread regarding applying RD to other institutions after getting into Harvard SCEA. I know this may be a little late considering that today is the last day to submit applications; however, this post is not just directed at you, but also at future Harvard SCEA admits who end up reading this post (as well as anyone still on the fence about submitting other applications today).
Here is my honest opinion about this, independent of my current situation. It is important to ask yourself if Harvard is your first choice, and if the school has provided you sufficient aid. If the answer is yes to both questions, then realize that you are extremely lucky to have received such a prized opportunity to study at such a remarkable institution.
However, it is also important to ask yourself this question as well: how much have you changed in the past 6 months? Since you applied, have you been exposed to any new interests? Did you ever change your top choice school before you applied, or has Harvard been solidly your first choice since the beginning of high school? Even if Harvard is your first choice and your aid is sufficient, it is still nice to have some other options when you finally decide in the fall; if I was in your position, I would apply to a few other schools that I would potentially consider (e.g. the applications I put a lot of time and effort into before receiving the decision), just so that I can compare financial aid packages and learn more about the subtleties of each school before I enroll.
That being said, you should still be considerate if you do apply. Applying to 1-2 select schools after getting into EA is perfectly fine (e.g. applying to only Yale and Stanford after getting into Harvard), but applying to 12 just for the fun of it is going overboard (e.g. applying to all 7 other ivies, Stanford, MIT, CalTech, Duke, and UChicago after getting into Harvard). You have to be reasonable. While schools do not have exact quotas for high schools, it’s very rare for them to offer more than a handful of spots to any high school in the entire world (with the exception of feeder schools and others with special connections). Adcoms, especially those at universities with holistic admissions, also consider region, talent, gender, ethnicity, and several other factors to “shape” a class to how they see fit. While you are never taking the place of an individual student from your school, it is likely that you will make it a tiny bit harder for that student to get accepted to the same highly selective institution.
In conclusion? Apply to some other schools if you want a choice when spring arrives, but do not go overboard. There is a difference between applying to YPSM after getting into Harvard early because you are unsure about committing and applying to YPSM simply because you want to compete with your friends to see who can get into more prestigious universities. The first is a reasonable action, while the latter is completely inconsiderate and rude to other applicants who may actually be interested in attending. You may experience short-term excitement after beating your friends in the Ivy League acceptance contest, but it’s important to realize that your short-term joy may be better off as a long-term difference in the hands of another interested student who would have gotten in had you not applied.
Hello @ZAPrez
I’m 16 from zambia and I replied to your post about being accepted to Harvard.
I would like to Harvard this year as well so is it okay if I ask some questions ? Or is it possible that I could email?
Hi @ChitiCrimson
Yes you may ask questions or you can send a message. Which ever suits you. Just make sure to mention my username as I barely go on here and sometimes need an email to remind me to come back.
@ZAPrez I have no idea how to send a message. Is it possible that I can get your email?
Just click on his username and click on Message
@azwu331 Another great, classy post. Wishing you well for your RD choices! -psy
For receiving test reports, is it normal for the application checklist only indicate when the first test report was received? I sent in my SAT I scores in the same report as my SAT II scores in December 2015 and for the SAT/ACT section, it says received in 2014. The 2014 one is from a test date where I took the ACT. I know they had to have received the new report because the checklist also indicates they received my SAT IIs on January 5th. Should I contact them?
@blippy1997 We had the exact same issue, I contacted Harvard on Friday. No response as of yet…
Political ties
leadership development
Personal Development
Quality Education
When are interview reports due?