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I attend a fairly competitive "magnet" high school (I'm not sure if that word means anything outside the South), and our school has been named #1 in the state. We were recently named a Blue Ribbon school. Hurrah, or something like that.

Anyway. At least three students (myself included) are applying to Harvard EA from my school. Interestingly, I don't think a student from my school has been admitted to Harvard since 2001-2002.

Further, the other two applicants I know of (who are my good friends, mind you) are girls. (For my less discerning readers: yes, I'm a guy.)

So.

At least two of us should be prepared for let-down?

I spoke with a Harvard admissions counselor who said that of some 220-300 Harvard applicants from Georgia last year, only 20 were accepted (these stats including regular and early decision).

I can't imagine three of us - or really even two of us - both being admitted early. A teacher at my school said two were admitted early to Harvard in 2001-2002, but I remain incredulous about her claim.

What's more, the other two applicants have already submitted their applications. I'm sending mine this week, but do you think their relative haste will say anything about my desire to attend? I hope not.

I think I'm making the whole admissions process out to be a tad more objective than it really is. But it's that time of the year, and I'm antsy. I'm particularly antsy because I want so badly to end up at Harvard.

Regardless, comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks bunches in advance! Buena suerte to all early applicants!

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 03:12 pm: Edit

It would be wise to do the very best EA application you can, but still prepare yourself for disappointment. If one looks at the odds, it's likely that none of you will get in EA, no matter how wonderful you are.

I imagine, though, that all of you have a chance at RD since the majority of Harvard applicants are very well qualified for admission.

Better to prepare yourself for a disappointment and to be pleasantly surprised than to have a huge let down in Dec.

I don't think the gender of the other candidates matters. You are competiting against candidates across the country, not just at your school.

The only students whom Harvard admits EA are the very rare ones that have such outstanding applications that Harvard knows that the students would be admits even if the students had to also compete against the RD pool. For this reason, I have seen wonderful EA candidates deferred and then accepted RD. I also have seen wonderful EA candidates deferred and then rejected later.

Best of luck.