The consultant will teach the child to maintain eye contact in the interview and to demonstrate both leadership and sharing during the observed play sequence. Anecdotes abound of infants serenaded with classical music to enhance their mental powers toddlers overwhelmed with computers and “educational” toys “experts” guilt-tripping parents by telling them that their children will be hopelessly behind by age three or four if they don’t follow myriad prescribed strategies.Ĭonsultants are paid thousands of dollars to prepare toddlers for the “all- important” interview and observed play-time that will determine admission to the “right” pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, or primary school-thereby presumably ensuring admission to the right high school, college, graduate school, and so on. The chase for the prize begins early, and some reports sound hyperbolic. More than ever, students (and their parents) seek to emulate those who win the “top prizes” and the accompanying disproportionate rewards. Stories about the latest twenty-something multimillionaires, the astronomical salaries for athletes and pop-music stars, and the often staggering compensation packages for CEOs only stimulate the frenzied search for the brass ring. Of course, the quest for college admission is only one aspect of a much larger syndrome driving many students today. Particularly because selective colleges are perceived to be part of the problem, we want to do everything possible to help the students we enroll make the most of their opportunities, avoiding the much-reported “burnout” phenomenon that can keep them from reaching their full potential. College admission-the chance to position oneself for “success” through the acquisition of the “right” college degree-looms large for increasing numbers of students. Many of us are concerned that the pressures on today’s students seem far more intense than those placed on previous generations. The article Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation was originally published in the New York Times on December 6, 2000.ĭean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Harvard CollegeĪdjunct Lecturer in Psychology, Harvard Graduate School of EducationĬollege admissions officers, especially those who admitted the parents of today’s applicants, have an unusual vantage point from which to observe changes from one generation to the next. If a student has already replied as enrolling, but has since changed their mind and would like to defer, they may contact the Admissions Office or submit the Request to Defer form on the Admitted Students Website explaining the request for a deferral as soon as possible and in any event by the end of June. After graduation, large numbers of Harvard students take time off before beginning work or graduate school. Deferrals for two years are also considered for such purposes as military or religious service or under other unique circumstances, and subject to the approval of the admissions committee.Įach year, between 90 and 130 students defer their matriculation to the College, and they report their experiences to be uniformly positive. The admissions committee encourages admitted students to defer enrollment for one year to travel, pursue a special project or activity, work, or spend time in another meaningful way - provided they do not enroll in a degree-granting program at another college. Our overall graduation rate of 98%, among the highest in the nation, is perhaps due in part to the fact that so many students take time off, before or during college. We want to do everything possible to help the students we enroll make the most of their opportunities, avoiding the much reported "burnout" phenomenon that can keep them from reaching their full potential. Students admitted in the Early Action and Regular Decision rounds can choose to defer their admission by selecting the "I defer" option in their admitted student reply form.
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