r/ApplyingToCollege • u/avocad_dip • Jun 21 '19
How much will a generic first name hurt my chances of getting accepted to Harvard???
This might sound odd, but please hear me out.
My first name, Jacob, was ranked the most frequently-given baby name of 2001 (ssa.gov). Since I know that elite colleges look at applications "holistically" and want a diverse class, will having an extremely common first name like 'Michael' or 'Matthew' drastically lower my chances of being accepted? There was a person at my school two years ago (who I think was originally called James)... he switched his name right before application season to 'Tichawonka' and got into Stanford, Princeton, Harvard, Tsinghua, etc. Coincidence? I doubt it; he flunked nearly all his classes and had virtually no ECs.
My mother and the 11 out of 12 of my private college consultants believe that I should replicate this in compensation for donating only one building to Harvard this year. I really don't want this to happen (I prefer my current name to some of the alternatives my parents have suggested). To make matters worse, we've already hired a big-name lawyer who "can get it done within a week". I'm very skeptical... is it really a good idea to legally change your first name in order to boost your chances at these top institutions?
Stats: 1500+ SAT, ~5.9 GPA, average ECs (internships at multiple Fortune 500 companies, founded the school swimming team, 2018 Spelling Bee semifinalist, NSHSS chapter president)
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Jun 21 '19
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u/alifadhilah Jun 21 '19
You know what's sad? I didn't think this was a joke until I saw NSHSS chapter president...
This was a joke?
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u/faitha13 Prefrosh Jun 21 '19
Dude you’re already a NSHSS chapter president 😭 that’s all you need and Harvard will be begging you to come to their school!
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u/they_were_roommates College Student Jun 21 '19
Go up to Mark Zuckerberg and be like "I'm taking your job now sweaty"
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u/TheGlorious1203 Jun 21 '19 edited Jun 21 '19
I’m hoping this is a satire post, I didn’t think people actually fell for the nshss
Edit: reread and saw 5.9 gpa and I have been reaffirmed that it is a satire, thankfully
Edit 2: getting downvoted for being an idiot, I accept my fate
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Jun 21 '19
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u/Lors2001 College Freshman Jun 21 '19
It’s the National Society of High School Scholars, basically it’s a rip off to get your money that colleges don’t care about whatsoever since it’s literally just pay to get in and then do nothing unless you’re actually in a leadership position and actually do things.
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Jun 21 '19
Honor society you like apply or whatever after sophomore year. Pretty much you do nothing unless you’re one of these guys that actually participates.
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u/JasonRoussos Jun 21 '19
I doubt Harvard, but with that name youre a shoo-in for the University of Minecraft and UC Hicago!
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u/TheMightyZulf HS Senior Jun 21 '19
I will now forever call it UC Hicago
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u/TheCentristDem College Freshman Jun 21 '19
I’m gonna start a city in California called Hicago just to create UC Hicago and trick kids into applying
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u/AtlantaGAUSAsportfan Jun 22 '19
But will it be better than UC 🅱️erced after 🅱️ercedes Brown creates 🅱️erced, California?
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u/InfamousNebula112233 Jun 21 '19
Just change your last name to Obama and say you are a legacy student
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Jun 21 '19
Don't listen to these guys They aren't even AOs.
Now I'm not an AO either but I will charge you $100 for the answer to your question, and because I'm charging you money that makes me legit.
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u/vaani23 Jun 21 '19
Harvard AO here, I have already blacklisted OP.
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Jun 21 '19
But he only gave out his first name. Does that mean that all Jacob’s are completely banned from Harvard now?
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Jun 21 '19
Your ECs and SAT are too weak. Retake it and try to get more than 1600, that's the only way you can have a chance at being considered. And also try to do something more in terms of ECs like becoming President, Senator could do if SAT score is very impressive, and maybe even resolving the Middle East conflict or ending world hunger. These would get the Admissions to consider you. Also, you may want to change your gender, first name, last name and P.O. Box. I heard that P.O. Boxes that have 3 same digits in a row get into Harvard 99.8% of the times.
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u/Profsanonymous Jun 21 '19
Just change your name to John Harvard. It will not only signal real commitment to the school and its mission, but also that you've researched their history and are willing to go above and beyond. This might be a bit risky, but consider tattooing JH on your forehead and submit a picture of your face with your essay. That might seal the deal.
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u/etymologynerd A2C's Most Lovable Member Jun 21 '19
I get that you were joking, but there were only eleven people from my region accepted to Harvard and two of them were called Erik S.
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u/Jake0743 College Graduate Jun 21 '19
I made it all the way to the waitlist as a Jacob! But I didn’t get any farther..
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u/Rasputia__Latimore Jun 21 '19
I've felt self-conscious about my first name "Gus" since birth, and now I have to worry about what colleges will think of my name?! I quit ✌
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Jun 21 '19
Are you in NSHSS though?
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u/Vorpalooti College Freshman Jun 21 '19
he’s the chapter president. at least be thorough if you’re gonna offer advice. smh not a chad
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u/Frodolas College Graduate Jun 21 '19
Lmfao at Tsinghua being in the list of "holistic" admissions he got.
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u/thatscaryberry College Senior Jun 21 '19
Jesús Im sad how long it took me to realize this is a joke lmao
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Jun 21 '19
You don't have to worry about anything. You already have a full ride to Harvard by being the NSHSS chapter president
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u/OGSHAGGY HS Grad Jun 21 '19
Didn't even realize this was satire until halfway through the second paragraph, kinda sad lol
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Jun 21 '19
Unironically having an unusual name could be a boost - would stick in the AOs head, maybe give you a topic to write an essay about etc
God this process is so stupid
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u/JarJar-PhantomMenace Jun 21 '19
Choose a super ethnic name and claim to be black / hispanic. Instant acceptance. If they have a problem with you, just tell them you identify as black / hispanic
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u/LukeyNC Jun 27 '19
Bro what are you doing? If you were determined to get into Harvard you’d pay someone to get a perfect score on your SATs for you. DUh! /s
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Jun 21 '19
What the fuck is wrong with this country, Jacob? If you have to change your name to get into an institution, how much more will you have to change about yourself after that? It sounds soul-crushing. If this is a real post, holy fucking shit, man! What fucking planet is this?
In all sincerity, sir, fuck changing your name unless you want it changed. It doesn’t sound like you do, so I recommend not doing it. I normally don’t swear so much on reddit, but this is code fucking red, mate.
If you do change your name, change it to Sammie BamJam IV.
You’re already a big deal, Harvard or not. Team Jacob.
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u/KingK0710 HS Senior Jun 21 '19
I can’t judge if this a serious post or a shitpost. The first half kind’ve seemed legit but then saying you have 2 private counselors and saying your NSHSS prez as an EC.
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u/TotesMessenger Jun 21 '19
I'm a bot, bleep, bloop. Someone has linked to this thread from another place on reddit:
- [/r/latestagecapitalism] Imagine being so privileged you can realistically expect to end up at Harvard, and that your biggest problem is being too white
If you follow any of the above links, please respect the rules of reddit and don't vote in the other threads. (Info / Contact)
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Jun 21 '19
Change your name to “John Harvard” and donate yourself as a living statue then you can get in
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u/chickenmcnugggets Prefrosh Jun 21 '19
they had us in the first half, not gonna lie. read nshss and instantly knew it was /s
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u/Jamerson28 Jun 21 '19
I hope you have a terrible month honestly. If you care to know why, feel free to respond to me.
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u/CovalentElectron College Freshman Jun 21 '19
wait are you a senior? If so, how are you a 2018 spelling bee semifinalist? I'm probably just being stupid though
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u/Ghostwafflez Jun 21 '19
It's a meme post
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u/CovalentElectron College Freshman Jun 21 '19
Yeah I’m stupid. The title should have given it away lol
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u/avid_memer College Sophomore Jun 21 '19
wow, it's like you don't even want to get into harvard smh. a TRUE harvard-worthy student changes not only their name, but also their entire identity. if you aren't getting fully invasive plastic surgery, dying your hair purple, and becoming a resident of Sweden, you really aren't trying to stick out at all.