I want to go to Harvard - Page 3

On January 12 2010 01:58 akevin wrote:


Aren't most recommendation letters sent via online systems nowadays (all 6 places I applied to were like this)? In addition, even if you are applying via paper application, everywhere I applied to required them in sealed envelopes signed across the back. I know some professors don't mind sharing letters with their students, however I wouldn't count on being able to select the best ones yourself. But it is definitely a good idea to have more than 3 possibilities in case one is busy/away etc.

On January 12 2010 03:11 citi.zen wrote:


Right, which is why you ask for an extra one, which you never plan to use and can open...

On January 12 2010 00:49 Pathos wrote:



On the subject of tips, definitely make sure you have a strong background in mathematics in particular analysis (don't be afraid to go up to functional analysis) and linear algebra. The topic that gives people the most difficulty is probability theory, which requires some mathematical matuirty to succeed.

From this point on its merely a curiosity, but if you want to be an extremely strong candidate there are a few things which may be extremely unreasonable to consider:

1. a very high score on the GRE mathematics exam (will require knowledge of complex analysis and higher algebra)
2. an accelerated MS in mathematics from your university
3. letters of recommendation from a very distinguished faculty member at your university (preferably someone who has served as dept chair). don't ask if you don't think they can write a good one however, as mentioned above there is inflation in recommendations.

Overkill I know for most people interested in statistics, but the level of competition is high to get into the top programs and once you're admitted your classmates (particularly Chinese applicants) will have seen this much math and more. I wouldn't worry about extracurriculars.

That being said, quality of life varies from program to program, also on personality and post-graduation goals. Being domestic applicants (or very close), you should definitely visit the institution after admission for an impression.

On January 12 2010 03:19 illu wrote:


So you are lying to your professors. I don't think that's ethical.

On January 12 2010 00:07 citi.zen wrote:
Activities are important, start NOW. Run for something on campus (does your school have a student board of some sort? anything like that would help).

Take the GREs early AND take some subject GREs, especially since you're a math major applying outside of your field.

Careful with your recommendation letters. What I did was this: asked for the ones I needed + one I never intended to send out. I then opened that one and read the letters myself before sending them out. Keep in mind everyone sends in good letters (inflation of sorts), so even a slightly bad sentence can be magnified in the eyes of an admissions' board.

Good luck!

On January 12 2010 03:39 citi.zen wrote:


I am not suggesting you cheat or lie. I am saying you could ask for an extra recommendation, which in no way impacts what the professors write. It simply gives you more information to base your decisions on. If you have a huge problem with that, simply ignore the advice & just read the "good luck". Whatever :-)

On January 11 2010 12:33 illu wrote:

I am not applying for their medical school though~

On January 12 2010 03:39 citi.zen wrote:


I am not suggesting you cheat or lie. I am saying you could ask for an extra recommendation, which in no way impacts what the professors write. It simply gives you more information to base your decisions on. If you have a huge problem with that, simply ignore the advice & just read the "good luck". Whatever :-)

On January 12 2010 06:56 TeH_Mentalist wrote:

medical>their reg school?

On January 12 2010 09:19 illu wrote:
That is true. But with my crappy 3.85 GPA I don't I have a chance for Harvard's medical school.

On January 12 2010 09:28 akevin wrote:


No point in going to the states for medical school...so much cheaper in Canada and extremely hard to get funding (unless you have really rich parents).

On January 12 2010 09:32 illu wrote:


Well, if University of Toronto takes me for medical school, I'd reconsider my choices about doing a PhD at Harvard (that is, assuming both UofT and Harvard take me for MD and PhD respectively, I will have to make some difficult decisions). However, with my crappy 3.85 GPA I don't think I have a realistic chance of getting in UofT.

On January 12 2010 09:43 akevin wrote:


If you truly are interested in doing medical school I wouldn't restrict yourself to just UofT. Any medical school in Canada is sufficient, and going to UofT does not improve your residency placement or job prospects. In short, I wouldn't recommend applying to the states for medical school, except for improving your chances of getting in due to applying to more schools. Departmental recognition means far less for medical school, unless you have some interest in doing an MD/PhD program?

Edit: Oh and I don't think that GPA would prevent you from getting to UofT, assuming you have amazing extra curric/good MCAT/good interpersonal and interviewing skills/excellent references.

On January 12 2010 11:17 ghostWriter wrote:
Why do you keep saying "crappy 3.85"?
It sounds very pretentious; 3.85 is nowhere near crappy.

On January 12 2010 11:41 Carnivorous Sheep wrote:
3.85 is nothing spectacular for top grad school programs either though.

On January 12 2010 11:41 Carnivorous Sheep wrote:
3.85 is nothing spectacular for top grad school programs either though.

On January 12 2010 11:39 DeathByMonkeys wrote:


This...

Stop being a douche.

No one cares when your complaining is on the level of "Oh man, I hate the gas mileage I get in my Porsche" or "Guy's my dick is too big and girls are too scared so I never have sex, what do?".