Lots of people who would otherwise be viable candidates simply don’t apply in the first place since they don’t have personal interest in those schools. Shrug.
So what? So what that 30 years or so ago you declined an acceptance to an Ivy? I’m not sure what we are all supposed to be saying. It really just doesn’t matter.
Is this the start of a new article or book, and you wanted some feedback?
The OP reads like bad fiction. I disagree that it is well written in any meaningful sense.
“They barely made eye contact as they poured over my transcripts, their expressions mirror images of disbelief and disdain.” Sorry, but that just made me laugh.
Glad the OP went on to better things, though. 
Back in the day, I rejected Wash U in Saint Louis and the University of Rochester. Does that count?
I rejected Oberlin. Should I write an essay?
With my stats, I probably would have gotten into MIT, but I didn’t even bother. I knew I wanted to go to UT. I don’t talk about it 30 years later, though. My boyfriend did get his BS at MIT, but then he came back to UT for his PhD in astrophysics.
I rejected an honors program at an Ivy back in the day. And VeryHappy - I rejected WashU, as it was my backup school. Now what?
What is the purpose of this OP? And why do people find it great? I read it and felt that the OP was perpetuating stereotypes of Ivy league students/graduates.
Regardless of what he states in the OP, perhaps some sour grapes?
This reminds me of the time I dumped my girlfriend… Morgan Fairchild.
It’s a she. Women’s polo. Kate. Those are your clues.
Well…the OP is certainly getting feedback about whether this is worth developing into a book.
I, for one, would NOT buy it.
A book?? How is there enough to the story? One out of every 5 admitted turn down H. What story is there? I test drove a BMW once and decided not to buy it. It’ll be a mini series!
Hollywood depiction of every person who has ever graduated from Harvard. Silly post.
How do you like them apples?
what Consolation said in post #37
This is the drama of someone who loves to hate.
This does sound like a piece of creative writing.
If not, it sounds braggy and condescending, much like the OP’s opinion of Harvard graduates.
The point of this thread is that OP was very insecure at 17, and she is still insecure today since she remains obsessed about this nonsense 30 years later. Paraphrasing OP post #20, I wonder which “University of California” she attended has an ultra-competitive environment that creates (created) that kind of person. Perhaps students who “rejected” that school can post an essay about this.
@al2simon , I played water Polo against Harvard in the '77-'78 season. All deep water pool (pre Blodgett ). Brown too (in a spiffier pool). It was a club sport for all of us and most of the players were swimmers trying to stay in shape in both fall and spring. I would be surprised if anyone recruited for it.
Getting into Harvard but not attending is a lifetime point of pride for some people – maybe their biggest accomplishment, lol.
Withdrawing the application is a bigger accomplishment.