What are my Chances at Harvard?
cadenstockwell
0 replies1 discussionsRegistered User Posts: 1 New Member
Demographics:
Mixed Race - white and black
Male
I live in Los Angeles, California
I go to a small public high school
Scores:
3.95 GPA unweighted
1550 SAT
4's and 5's on AP tests, only one 3
My high school does not do class ranks
Coursework:
12 AP classes
Besides one math course Freshman year, all of my non-AP classes were honors classes.
I also had really good relationships with many of my teachers
Extracurriculars:
Theater for all 4 years of high school
I had a restaurant job all 4 years of high school
I did cross country for 1 semester
I did peer counseling for 2 years
I wrote various short stories that were published in many literary magazines
I took singing lessons for 3 years
Additional Information:
I have a strong legacy at Harvard, my father and both my grandparents went
I am a very strong writer
I come from a very wealthy neighborhood
What are my chances at Harvard?
8 replies Mixed Race - white and black
Male
I live in Los Angeles, California
I go to a small public high school
Scores:
3.95 GPA unweighted
1550 SAT
4's and 5's on AP tests, only one 3
My high school does not do class ranks
Coursework:
12 AP classes
Besides one math course Freshman year, all of my non-AP classes were honors classes.
I also had really good relationships with many of my teachers
Extracurriculars:
Theater for all 4 years of high school
I had a restaurant job all 4 years of high school
I did cross country for 1 semester
I did peer counseling for 2 years
I wrote various short stories that were published in many literary magazines
I took singing lessons for 3 years
Additional Information:
I have a strong legacy at Harvard, my father and both my grandparents went
I am a very strong writer
I come from a very wealthy neighborhood
What are my chances at Harvard?
Replies to: What are my Chances at Harvard?
However, you of course should consider it a reach and apply to match and safety schools.
Harvard should generally be considered a reach. Be sure to have safeties that you like and can afford.
However, the legacy bit helps - a lot. A significant percentage of every Harvard class is legacies, some who aren't even really qualified. Because of this, I would say you definitely have a better than average shot. I can't give an exact percentage, but better than the overall 4.5 percent admit rate by a good margin.
Show them who you are and why you belong there. This goes for both what you write for them and what you say to your interviewer and how you choose to present yourself to them.
Best of Luck! PM me if you have more questions/want more help with this.
What major? And what ECs relate to that?
Careful that "why you belong there" isn't entitlement.
Would you say the same thing if the OP played varsity football or basketball for all 4 years of high school but was NOT applying as an athletic recruit? FWIW: A student heavily involved in theater, doing 3 or 4 plays/musicals per year, spends about 15 to 20 hours per week in rehearsal and performance -- probably the same time (or MORE) than a student heavily involved in varsity sports. All of that commitment, and devotion leaves very little time during the school year to devote to additional extra curricular activities -- and I think AO's understand and appreciate that fact.
OP did more than theater. But the tipppy tops will look at depth and breadth. (And some sense of responsibilities taken on.) Few high schools run 3 or 4 plays/musicals per year, not all ask for 15-20 hours/week. Few kids who played a sport for 4 years will list only that on their apps.
He or she has one other school or organized activity: peer counseling. The job is likely fine. Writing and taking singing lessons may not compare with what other applicants have done. With peers, serving the community and more.
We can tell kids all day long that just doing a few things you want is enough. But when a college wants to see various activities, as a hint the kid will engage and expand in college, the safer bet is to have that variety (of the sort meaningful to the college.)
What major? If we have no context, it means folks are basing this on stats and legacy. It takes more.
I don't think your EC's need to be varied, but they need to show you are developing them and that you will be able to contribute to the mix on campus as a result.
I know young people who did not claim legacy because they wanted to get in on their own merits, believe it or not.