<p>
I’ve seen this argument about unis trying to rip people off with fees a few times. Of course, unless we take a look at their books we’ll never know for sure. I have my own reasoning for thinking it’s not a big part of their revenue planning.</p>
<p>I believe that certainly they use these fees to offset costs, but not to substantially build the endowment. The reason I say this is because I have a feeling that the demand for elite college amissions is fairly inelastic wrt the price of the admissions application. If a univeristy like Harvard wanted to increase it’s revenue substantially from fees it would merely have to increase the fee to say $85 - I doubt that extra $15 would have much effect on the number of people applying to Harvard. At some point maybe it would matter, but I think the fee could easily creep above the current rate without a noticeable decline in aps. And not just every uni could pull this off, but those at the (supposed) top of the prestige heap could certainly get away with it IMO.</p>
<p>My analysis assumes the existence of fee waivers, and presupposes they are not exceedingly difficult to get. I’m not an expert on that. That’s got to be figured into the analysis. Given the amount of financial aid they give out, I just find it hard to believe they have a concerted plot to profit off transfer admissions fees at the expense of qualified low income applicants. IF they are making it almost impossible for even a Bangladeshi orphan to have their app fees waived, I’m not sure I’d want to go to a school like that anyway. Leave it for the Kennnedy’s and Thurston Howell III.</p>
<p>I stumbled upon this in another thread.</p>
<p>I hope that everyone is getting the rejection out of their systems. If there’s one thing that sadder than all of us getting rejected, it’s to see so many brilliant people consumed by bitterness. I hope to run into some of you some day! Grad school maybe? ;)</p>
<p>[Harvard</a> Rejects became Nobel laureates, billionaire | IQx.com - Colleges Information Online](<a href=“http://iqx.com/harvard-rejects/]Harvard”>http://iqx.com/harvard-rejects/)</p>
<p>enjoy! :)</p>
<p>I think you guys misread my post. I didn’t miss the brilliant accomplishments ChaseTheCarrot has! This was the overall message…</p>
<p>(1) Harvard’s (and other school’s) adcoms are looking to see which applicant will most likely be a superstar in the future and which one will take the most opportunities that Harvard has to give.</p>
<p>(2) To decide the aforementioned, they know that the best way to predict the future is to look at the past.</p>
<p>(3) They are faced with 2 applicants, one who has dealt with a lot of obstacles and did relatively little (key word relatively) -Applicant A- and another applicant who hasn’t faced many obstacles but has done relatively a lot - Applicant B.</p>
<p>(4). Conclusions from applicants pasts:</p>
<p>(a) Applicant A: All they can conclude is that this applicant is good at facing obstacles and that they have done relatively little in the ECs. It COULD be because they had obstacles but it ALSO COULD be because they aren’t the type that do a lot apart from the “mainstream” problems, such as academics (grades) or whatever is needing to be done (obstacles). If it’s optional, like great ECs, they may not be willing to go that extra mile. Nothing here suggests that they WILL go above and beyond. They could come to Harvard and just do the academic work and that’s it.</p>
<p>(b) Applicant B: They can conclude that this applicant most likely, relative to applicant A, WILL go above and beyond because he did the great ECs before. Sure, he may not have had any obstacles but they CAN conclude that he is more likely than applicant A to do something great or to take every opportunity than is App A. </p>
<p>(5) Conclusion: If you want a superstar, the probability favors Applicant B, even though the adcom may empathize with Applicant A.</p>
<p>Edit: I forgot to add that your accomplishments are superb, as are the accomplishments of other applicants like us!!! I rather not go to H and have my background than go to H without it.</p>
<p>@CollegeFreshman - I completely agree with you. I had a compelling case and I too was rejected. But what bothers me is that these ‘adcoms’ don’t truly know the capabilities a person has, the accomplishments they are capable of, and the relentless passion a person may have towards something in particular. Furthermore, a person that comes from a disadvantaged background but is brilliant may not have had the same level of education, thus does not have the writing ability. This lack in writing ability may not allow them to fully express themselves. I don’t know…I just feel that my essays may not have been the best but I know and those who personally know me, I would fully take advantage and give back to the Harvard community. But in the end, Harvard can chose whom ever them wish to admit…</p>
<p>There’s just no way any one of us could sit down and, with over a thousand applications for a mere dozen spots, select the “best” group by any objective measure.</p>
<p>College Freshman:</p>
<p>Your unfounded speculation about the legitimacy of my daughter’s three year old not-for-profit organization is really uncalled for. Trust me–Harvard vets all of their applicants who claim to have founded non-profit organizations. And trust me–this is a viable, tremendously successful organization, which has raised in excess of $150,000, and which catapulted my daughter into the national arena, where she was recognized by three national organizations.</p>
<p>@jbstewsaff - I am very happy to hear of your daughter’s accomplishments! She’ll be a great fit at Harvard.</p>
<p>CollegeFreshman has every right to express his frustration in this thread, just as jbstewsaff has every right to respond to speculation concerning her daughter. Perhaps both parties could have expressed their opinions in better ways, but that’s life on the internet. Let’s keep things civil, don’t feed the ■■■■■, and move on with the thread.</p>
<p>To the folks who weren’t offered admission at Harvard: Do you now have a decision made on another school, or are you still waiting to hear from one of your top choices? If the former, where are you headed; if the latter, where are you pending?</p>
<p>Perhaps I might have sounded a bit harsh in my posts and I apologize if anyone is hurt but your post about your daughter only proved that…</p>
<p>she doesn’t need H as much as other applicants.</p>
<p>Why would you need to go to a school with great opportunities when you’re already raising 150k and getting recognized on a national level? I’m also assuming, and probably rightly, that your daughter does not fit in the “disadvantaged student” category.</p>
<p>And I will “trust you” from now on, especially seeing that you seem to be close with H adcoms. </p>
<p>Again, congrats to your daughter and I’m happy for her and all the people she’s helping.</p>
<p>I agree with CollegeFreshman on this one. While it’s true that your D doesn’t need Harvard as much as other applicants, she did deserve it. But, I wish Harvard would admit more disadvantaged students because they can contribute a lot to the Harvard community. But oh well…their choice…</p>
<p>I’m with bakemaster. </p>
<p>Personally, I’m prepared to change my location to the university I lived and breathed for the last three years (UC Berkeley) even though I have two pending applications to other top choices (Stanford and Columbia). The more I distance myself from my time at Harvard, the more I believe that I belong at Berkeley. </p>
<p>Is everyone planning on applying again for graduate/professional school?</p>
<p>^ If you’re fortunate enough to get into Columbia as well as another top choice, I’d be happy to put you in touch with a close friend and Columbia alum for a little Q&A to help you decide.</p>
<p>BCP- I just realized- with the decisions that are left and acceptances already received, we are both going to be choosing between New York and California. That’s a pretty cool coincidence, eh? :)</p>
<p>Bakemaster- you’re definitely going to be in California, too, correct?</p>
<p>Yep. Only applied in-state, and at this point I’ve already made my decision, in a conditional sense:
int matriculationChoice = Schools.DAVIS;
while (!Stanford.transferDecisionsReleased); //REFRESH! REFRESH!
if (Stanford.getDecision(bakemaster))
matriculationChoice = Schools.STANFORD;
</p>
<p>@chasethecarrot That is if I even have a choice when it comes to New York. ;)</p>
<p>@bakemaster Thanks. I guffawed at your code.</p>
<p>is there anyone who had not heard anything from the admin office so far??? what could be the reasons??</p>
<p>@ScollegeS- I do hope you are not talking about an admission decision…those were released almost a month ago…</p>
<p>OMG!!!Did it slip thru the mailbox!!! Should I send them an email and tell them to send it again or what? Dun even think it would make any practical difference though…</p>