At this point, it’s likely not even Harvard knows. Given the lawsuits, there just isn’t clarity in the situation to be making final decisions. They aren’t being intentionally vague or cruel. Those still on the waitlist are Harvard’s contingency plan. If that doesn’t sit well with you, you can withdraw from the waitlist. I’m guessing most of you will choose to remain. Be prepared for a protracted wait.
Here’s a question: How many of you would happily pack up your dorm room and hightail it to Cambridge if Harvard comes calling in September or October?
If we all submit e-mails asking for clarification and an update, I don’t see the downside. At best it will help us get some info and let the school understand we are a group who needs answers ASAP. At worst we get nowhere with it and they ignore us and don’t care what’s good for us.
I agree and I will send one. I also think that people on this thread need to chill a little bit (including me). I would love to go to Harvard this fall, just like anyone else. But also, I am sure most people on this thread have committed to an amazing backup school because I’m sure y’all are great students. Wherever you go, you will do amazing, and if it’s not Harvard, that is okay. It’ll work out and everyone should make sure they’re enjoying their summer too.
The purpose of sending these emails isn’t to gain information for just one individual. It’s to encourage Harvard to release more comprehensive updates once they see that many waitlisted students and families are seeking clarity.
We paid the application fee, and at this point, Harvard owes us a clear update. If they anticipate further delays and won’t make final decisions until late August, they should be transparent about it. Those of us who can’t wait will appreciate the clarity and can remove ourselves from the list. The current vague language makes it difficult to decide whether it’s worth staying on the waitlist. If there are still spots and they plan to admit more students by the end of July, many of us would gladly remain. But if they’re only holding out for last-minute border issues and will admit a handful of students in late August, some of us simply can’t wait that long.
Harvard’s semester starts on September 2, and I can understand students being willing to leave their admitted schools, pay double for tuition, housing, and meal plans, and still happily enroll at Harvard.
I don’t want to read into this too much but do you think it means anything that Harvard had an opt-out (versus opt-in) option for the waitlist in their last correspondence?
This is how waitlists work - you can be on it or not. If you get an offer of admission, you can accept it or not. That’s what you control.
Some schools tell you when the list/process has closed. Others do not.
You should be operating at this point as though you will NOT get an offer, and every school that still has folks on the summer waitlist is assuming that those WL students are moving forward with their existing plans. They aren’t holding anyone back from that and don’t “owe” anyone anything. If you are stressed by the lack of response, that’s on you. Put Harvard out of your mind. If you’re given the chance to think about it again, oh happy day!
I’m sorry that sounds harsh, but an offer of a spot on a WL is not an acceptance nor is it a deferral of a decision until a later date. It simply means you are being offered the opportunity to be contacted IF a spot opens.
I’d bet that if you were qualified enough to end up on the WL at Harvard, you have what it takes to excel wherever you land. Don’t discount the opportunities you have!
Fingers crossed it works out for at least some of you.
No they don’t. And multiple emails to them won’t make them change course.
If anyone is dissatisfied with Harvard’s communication, feel free to opt-out of the waitlist. Why go somewhere where they will jerk you around for 4 years?!?
If the deadline for deferring admission is July 31, then I would expect a (possibly large) wave to happen a few days later. It’s a bit unfortunate that Harvard would set that deadline to be the same day (rather than 4-5 days earlier) that many colleges require payment for the first semester.
Whether to remain on a waitlist is a personal decision, like any other — we weigh the risks and rewards. Having a clear picture from the college helps us make that choice. Most of us aren’t making emotional decisions; we’re trying to plan responsibly with the limited information available.
Telling people to “just leave” the waitlist if they don’t like being strung along is dismissive and unhelpful. Wanting timely updates isn’t whining — it’s a reasonable expectation from applicants who’ve invested time, effort, and money into this process.