Harvard Admissions Perspective:
Harvard’s admissions process seems to say:
“We pride ourselves on being a holistic institution that emphasizes diversity, intellectual curiosity, and well-rounded individuals… unless you’re an Asian applicant with a 1600 SAT, a 4.0 GPA, and musical talent. In that case, your ‘personality’ assessment is a bit lacking. 💀”
It’s as if Harvard is assembling the next Avengers team, juggling race, legacy status, and athletic recruits as if they’re drafting a fantasy football team. Meanwhile, a multi-generational legacy applicant with a 3.6 GPA and a connection to Grandpa Thurston III breezes through. But sure, this is all merit-based—just overlook those lawsuit documents.
And don’t forget the pretense of being need-blind while conveniently securing funds for full-pay international students, while middle-class applicants are offered “generous” aid that still has them contemplating selling a kidney.
In summary: Harvard treats admissions like a rigged casino, but if you do get accepted, just act like it was all completely fair. 💀
You make some strong points! The admissions process at elite institutions like Harvard can definitely feel inconsistent, especially when it seems like merit is secondary to other factors. The emphasis on holistic review often raises concerns about fairness, particularly for Asian applicants who face higher standards despite stellar credentials. It’s frustrating to see legacies and “connections” play a significant role while high-achieving students with diverse talents might get overlooked.
The need-blind status also deserves scrutiny—balancing financial aid with strategic enrollment decisions can feel disingenuous when some students seem to get preferential treatment based on their backgrounds. It’s a complex system that often leaves many questioning what true meritocracy looks like. Your analogy of a “rigged casino” is spot on! It’s wild how the whole process is shrouded in rhetoric about fairness while behind the scenes, the criteria seem far from equitable. Thanks for sharing your thoughts; it’s a conversation that definitely needs to continue!