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i know that it is really bad, but is it so competitive that a really good high school transript(#1 rank, hard classes, perfect gpa) and high test scores almost become unimportant because everyone that applies has all that???

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 12:46 pm: Edit

Those items are your ticket to a closer look by the adcom. Actually, what few candidates here seem to realize is that that is all it is, and that almost everyone who gets a look has a shot (i.e., the adcom doesn't really prefer a 1590 SAT over a 1570).
Therefore, after you meet the kinds of requirements you've listed above, the deciding factors will be personal issues: character assessments (eg., letters of rec, community action), non-academic achievements (eg., sports, arts) & even non-controllable matters such as geography and minority status.
I can tell you this much: the actual class is incredibly diverse in almost every way. Take your best shot and be assured that if you don't make it, your life will probably still be happy and successful.

By Lavka (Lavka) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 01:25 am: Edit

Adcom search for stupid athletes, artists an so on. To diverse the campus, it rejected very talented scholars, who dedicates their lifes to the knowledge and excellence. Is this fair?

By Snack (Snack) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 08:34 am: Edit

"Take your best shot and be assured that if you don't make it, your life will probably still be happy and successful."

LOL. Many young Harvard students don't seem to realize that even if you "make it," you may still be very unhappy and un-"successful."