<p>SAT 1: 1390 (720 Math, 670 Verbal)
SAT Subject Tests: US History, Math 1, Writing
GPA: 3.88
APs: Comparative Government & Politics (5), US Gov’t, Psychology, Microecomics, Literature</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
Secretary of SGA
Vice President of my Parish’s youth group
NHS (2 years)
Volunteered with Special Olympics (2 years)
Over 520 hours of community service
Catholic Heartwork Camp (4 years) (a community service camp, fix up elderly/needy people’s houses and other various service work activites)</p>
<p>I’ve also maintained a part time job since sophomore year.</p>
<p>Recommendations: one is very good, the other is good
Essays: Very good (not spectacular, but original and well written)</p>
<p>I’m applying to:
Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern, NYU, Pitt, UMD (my father and sister have both attended), Catholic University, and Harvard</p>
<p>I realize I have virtually no chance with Harvard, but I’m not sure about NYU, BC and BU. My mother works at Catholic, so I’m basically assured of getting in there, along with a free ride.</p>
<p>You are pursuing the whole 1) crazy reach I have no chance at and 2) a bunch of match/ safeties. You are in at everywhere except Harvard and MAYBE NYU (I think you will get in). Why the donation to Harvard? My advice is to apply to some real reaches like Cornell, Northwestern, Emory, WUSTL, Vanderbilt, UVA, Notre Dame, etc. You will get into one of those and they are better than every school on your list.</p>
<p>Well one of my only requirements for college was that it must be in an urban setting, that of which Cornell, UVA, and Notre Dame aren’t. Also, schools like Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Notre Dame, and WUSTL are too far away for my liking, but thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>Also aren’t we all drawn to the allure of Harvard?</p>
<p>Sure, I am also drawn to the Presidency of the United States, but that doesnt mean I am running. City schools located in the Northeast that are much more realistic reaches you might consider are Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, Haverford, Penn (major reach though).</p>
<p>Since I’m not aspiring to be a doctor, there really isn’t much of a reason for me to also ‘donate’ some money to Hopkins either. Haverford, again, isn’t in an urban setting. Either way, $60 isn’t that big of a deal for the Harvard application, and if by some random crazy chance I did get into Harvard those $60 would be worth it to no end.</p>
<p>Actually that is a misconception, Hopkins offers great programs in International Relations, Political Science, English, Languages, etc. In fact if you WERE trying to be a doctor I would tell you to avoid hopkins since the pre-med is so cutthroat, but for other majors its great. You have a chance and its much better than any other school on your list. Haverford is in suburban philly, but is nearby to a city. Applying to Harvard is silly, at least apply to Brown where MAYBE you have a shot</p>
<p>a guy from my school got into harvard last year with VERY similar stats to this guy, so I really don’t think it’s a “no chance.” There was some controversy of him saying that he was african-american cause he was born in africa, but I think he explained it and it wasn’t a huge factor or anything.</p>
<p>Dang… “Y’all don’t know what it’s like being male middle-class and white” said a very wise man. It’s very pertinent to the college application process.</p>
<p>the bottomline is - what is place for me?
after weighing the pros and cons- location, competition, etc, what is the place for you?
when you get there, work at it with all your might, place two or four choices in the background as safeties, but push hard on your first.</p>
<p>focus is very important, and besides, i think the quality of the education you get where you have the chance is more important than the location. </p>
<p>weigh your options well.</p>
<p>if you think harvard is the place - fine, go ahead. the major thing present yourself as you are, don’t feign. they need to know who you really are - the real you.</p>
<p>present your uniqueness as best as you possibly can.
better still, you could create a portfolio chronicling your achievements.</p>
<p>Best of luck, and pray, Jesus hears.</p>
<p>60dolls may be worth a million after all.
Do your best.</p>