Do Accepted Students Have to Be ‘Effervescent’?

Frame from a 1958 Alka-Seltzer commercial

In recent weeks, the Harvard admissions office, normally thought of in the homes of children of high-school age as the great secret trial chamber of higher ed, has itself been on trial.

The investigation into allegations of bias, as well as the reportage of that investigation, has released some curious details. What does Harvard look for in a candidate, presumably besides excellence and potential?

One answer that has emerged from the testimony is somethi...