different times
By way of Slate, we can read John F. Kennedy’s Harvard application, sent in 1935. Things must have gotten (much) harder. Would this application get you in these days, even as a legacy candidate? I’d be surprised. Competition in admissions arises from scarcity of education opportunities. Is education necessarily a scarce resource? Perhaps not, but as an abstract enabling opportunity, that scarcity cannot be eliminated, I don’t think, even with the likes of OpenCourseWare, etc. This is by definition: the scarcity is what makes a thing (e.g. an elite education) an enabling opportunity.
His application package
1. Grades: Ranked 65 out of a class of 110, with barely passing to mediocre grades (no A’s — which, by the kindest transcript translation would require an “Honors Grade” of >80)
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2. Personal Statement: Why do you wish to come to Harvard?
![]() (What a horrible, if honest, essay!) |
3. Recommendation Letters (one of them)
![]() Part of Jack’s lack of intellectual drive is doubtless due to a severe illness suffered in the winter of his Fifth Form year. Though he has recovered, his vitality has been below par, he has not been allowed to enter into any very vigorous athletics, and has not, probably, been able to work under full pressure. There is no reason to suppose, however, that Jack will not come up to par soon. (Such glowing words these are…) |