I don’t know a Harvard story but I do know one from MIT.

In ≈1965, an Israeli, who had just completed 4 years in the Israeli Air Force, working on satellite and surveillance technology, presented himself at the MIT Admissions office and said, “I’m here to study electronic surveillance technology.” He had not applied and MIT had nothing on him. The head of the Admissions Office spoke to him for 20 minutes, as the 22 year old Israeli pitched him, detailing his background, knowledge, etc. Mildly impressed with Efriam and his presentation, the admissions officer sent him to interview with the Dean of the Science/Technology Dept (? not sure exact dept?).

Two hours later, that Dean called Admissions and told them “He is accepted!”

After graduating MIT in three years, Efi Arazi went on to work at Itec in New Hampshire developing the “eye in the sky” hardware and software for NASA, before founding Sci-Tex in Israel in 1972/3, one of the very first high tech companies in Israel. He ultimately employed 7000+ people in Israel and worldwide. Scitex was one of the first Israeli companies to go public here in the US and was ultimately absorbed by a large entity. I believe it was a company in Great Britain.

Efriam unfortunately developed early onset of dementia, Alzheimer’s. He lingered for years, and died on his 76th birthday, April 13, 2013. I knew him well.