What is the REAL acceptance rate of Harvard? (SEE DETAILS)?

Question

So I know Harvard's official acceptance rate hovers around 10% but of that 90% rejected, who actually had a chance? For example, my friend who has no actual chance of getting into Harvard will be applying there just in case. What percentage of those who apply to Harvard are just people who want to try their luck but have no real chance? It's not like 100% of the applicants were all geniuses but almost all of them got rejected, right?

Answer 1

notsure on numbers, but to get in you have to be one of two kinds of people:

1) A foreigner or of foreigner recent descent and really smart

2) White and come from a very wealthy, old money family and also really smart

Basically the school is only concerned with diversifying their school and getting donations and prestige from old money families. I would say if you fall in to one of those categories, you're chances are probably around 50-50.

Answer 2

Yes, Harvard has a high rejection rate. But, it's just another college, and a diploma is a diploma. I talked to a doctor who got his degree from Harvard, and said it didn't give him any benefits or anything, and he should have just stuck with UAB.