How do harvard interviews work

The vast majority will fail. Harvard — the second-most selective four-year college in the United States — typically sees an acceptance rate of about 5 percent. The trial, which kicked off Oct. For the past two weeks, lawyers for the University and Students for Fair Admissions — the anti-affirmative action advocacy group that sued Harvard in Nov. The trial is slated to end Friday, but experts have predicted a cascading series of appeals will bring the case before the Supreme Court.

If it does, it could mean the end of affirmative action in America as we know it. Documents made public over the summer and in court across the past two weeks unravel what University lawyer William F. The early decision application deadline for the Class of is Nov.

Sometimes, the College starts recruiting promising applicants as early as freshman year of high school, according to the iteration of the Harvard Admissions Office interviewer handbook. Related: [ 'Arrogance. Next, admissions officers put rubber to the road to seek out candidates across the country.

Sometimes alone and sometimes traveling alongside representatives from other top-tier schools — such as the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University — Harvard officials trekked to cities in all 50 states in the school year, the handbook states.

Once arrived, staffers typically rent out public spaces like hotel conference rooms and give presentations meant to explain the admissions process and advertise Harvard. The College specifically targets low-income and minority students, as well as high schoolers hailing from less populous sections of America. The admissions office contacts candidates individually by telephone and email.

Students let high schoolers stay overnight in their dormitories on campus to give them a taste of Harvard life. Admissions representatives also visit high schools and junior high schools. The handbook notes that staffers for the Undergraduate Minority Recruitment Program must travel to at least two junior high schools each. Related: [ Here's what happened in the Harvard admissions trial today ]. Admissions officers additionally seek students skilled enough to play a varsity sport at Harvard.

Documents released as part of the lawsuit show that recruited athletes see a significant boost in the admissions process. After each Harvard hopeful submits an online application — replete with test scores, transcripts, and personal essays — the vast majority of students sign up for an interview with a College alumnus tasked with evaluating the candidate. More than 15, Harvard graduates typically serve as alumni interviewers each year. Until alumni meet their assigned interviewees face-to-face, they know only the basics: full name, phone number, email address, and high school.

Nonetheless, each alumnus later produces a report evaluating the pros and cons of the high schooler they spent roughly 60 minutes getting to know. The interviewer handbook details what criteria the interviewers use to judge applicants — as well as the nitty-gritty of how Harvard wants these conversations to go down. Related: [ In first day of trial testimony, Khurana says it's okay Harvard skews wealthy ]. The handbook instructs interviewers to keep the conversation under an hour and tells them not to suggest a dress code.

You do not need to take any additional actions to set up an admissions interview. If an interview cannot be arranged, you will not be at a disadvantage during the application process. Please refer to the country list below to learn more about the availability of interviews in your country. If you are applying from one of the following countries, you should initiate contact with one of our interviewers once you have submitted your application.

Please refer to your Applicant Portal for more information about scheduling an interview in your area. If your country is not listed on this page, we do not have local interviewers available. The lack of an interview will not affect your candidacy.

Most importantly, the Applicant Portal is where you'll view your admissions decision. Most applicants receive an email reminding them to check their portal and view their decision about 15 minutes after decisions are released. However, if you are logged in to the portal at the time that decisions are released, you may not receive this email.

When you log in, you'll see a crimson-colored banner with "Status Update". Click on that banner to view your letter. Let's review some of our financial aid terminology to help you fully understand your financial aid award letter.

Once you have received your aid award, you may have some questions. This guide is meant specifically for international financial aid applicants. If your favorite book of late is a graphic novel, say that. No need to pretend that you brought On the Origin of Species with you on vacation—unless, of course, you did. What differentiates the Harvard interview from most other college interviews is that it is sometimes—although not always—conducted by two interviewers simultaneously.

This should quell your nerves considerably. Once, they stood in your very shoes. If you are nervous about the prospect of talking to two people at once, you may find it comforting to know that such a scenario is not guaranteed.

That said, if you do find yourself chatting with two interviewers rather than one, do not fret. For the most part, you should prepare for this interview like you would any other: with practice, preparation, and research. For a dressing guide, check out this article.