A place at Harvard used to be something to be proud of — now students fear it’s a stigma.
Early applicants who received acceptance letters from universities last week are considering applying elsewhere, The Post has learned.
Some cite concerns about experiencing campus antisemitism, while others worry that a Harvard degree could hurt job prospects as employers pledge not to hire its graduates because of the university’s handling of anti-Israel protests.
This year, the school reported a 17% drop in initial applications, representing a four-year low. And their acceptance rate increased to 8.7% from 7.6% last year.
One driver, according to college admissions consultant Christopher Rim, is students worry that they might be tainted by the storm surrounding college antisemitism.
Protesters at Harvard have rallied in support of Palestine in the wake of the October 7 attacks. The Harvard College PSC has increased calls for Harvard president Claudine Gay to resign following congressional testimony about antisemitism on campus. Getty Images
“I think it’s the current events that are playing out,” Rim told The Post. “They have the worst PR right now.”
Thirty Harvard student groups sparked outrage in October by signing a letter saying Israel was “solely responsible” for the October 7 attacks, while the university’s president Claudine Gay has faced pressure to resign after she testified to Congress about campus antisemitism and was forced to apologize after that. for his poor performance.
Rim, who is the founder and CEO of Command Education, said every one of his clients who applied early to Harvard this year was accepted — but not all of them were satisfied.
“Normally, once you get into Harvard, my team and I are done. We were like great, it’s a success, congratulations, goodbye,” said Rim.
Pro-Palestinian protesters have gathered on the campus of Harvard University. AFP via Getty Images
But one particular customer family was not celebrating. Instead of accepting their offer from Harvard, the student is now scrambling to send applications to the remaining Ivy League schools, Stanford, MIT, and Emory.
The student, who is not Jewish, applied elsewhere out of concern that going to Harvard might hurt job prospects.
Rim was shocked: “I was like, ‘Why are you doing Emory if you already got into Harvard?'”
The student cited billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman’s tirade against Harvard over antisemitism — as well as dozens of CEOs’ commitments not to hire Harvard students who blame Israel for Hamas attacks.
Similarly, a boutique law firm stopped recruiting on campus at Harvard, and even Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy promised not to hire Harvard grads again.
One of Rim’s clients said that Bill Ackman’s tweet about Harvard University inspired them to apply elsewhere. REUTERS Bill Ackman reports that the CEO is looking for the names of the Harvard students who signed the letter blaming Israel for the October 7 attacks. @BillAckman/X
“This is the first time this concern has come up with customers,” Rim said. “They told me, ‘I just don’t like the attention at Harvard if it’s going to affect my son’s chances of getting the right job in the future.'”
But, despite the school’s loss of applicants, Rim said Harvard seems to be spinning the news as positive.
“Harvard is really touting the increased acceptance rate…,” he said. “I think they want to distance themselves from their image of being stuffy, elitist and selective because of all the bad press they get.”
While Harvard is bleeding applicants, other schools are absorbing the overflow.
Early college applications this year jumped 41%, compared to the 2019 admissions cycle.
Duke University’s early applications jumped by 28% this year. AP
Yale saw its lowest initial acceptance rate in more than 20 years. Meanwhile, Rim reports Duke, in Durham, North Carolina, and Emory, in Atlanta, Georgia, are popular with students looking for an alternative to the Ivy League.
Duke reported 1,000 more applicants than any previous early decision round, a remarkable 28% increase from last year.
“Second-tier schools are becoming a more viable option, so their acceptance rates will continue to decline,” Rim predicted.
Protesters at Harvard have rallied in support of the Palestinians following the October 7 attacks. Harvard College PSC
Some of Rim’s own customers changed their initial applications due to campus antisemitism.
A person who decided not to apply early to Cornell after a student made violent threats against a Jewish classmate has just received an offer of admission from Stanford, where they applied early.
Another client submitted an application for a binding preliminary ruling to Cornell before the October 7 attack took place. He has just received a binding acceptance but has already contacted Rim to discuss transfer options for next year.
Christopher Rim said many of his clients have changed their initial application plans because of campus antisemitism.
“It’s a binding contract, so the student is stuck,” Rim explained. “How could he have known all this was going to happen?”
But some other students wish they had applied to Harvard earlier because the school appears to be becoming less selective.
Rim said many customers have expressed regret that they did not take advantage of the 17% drop.
That’s why he expects Harvard’s early application numbers may rebound — especially since Harvard offers a nonbinding early action application.
“I think there will be more applications [next year],” Rim suggested. “If you think you have a better chance, why not try it?”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
