Advice on where I stand, what to work on, what to emphasize... etc.

Colleges & Universities Harvard University
1

<p>Hey guys, I’m a female from west Michigan looking to apply to Harvard this year. It’s one of my top choices (I’m trying not to have a favorite just so I’m not crushed when decisions come in).</p>

<p>With that being said, here are my stats- I’d appreciate any feedback you guys have, especially concerning weaknesses in my application, things to emphasize, etc.</p>

<p>By the way, I’m looking to double major in Biology and Linguistics.</p>

<p>Academics:
GPA - uw: 3.99
GPA - w: 4.61
Class Rank: 1/186</p>

<p>Standardized Testing:
SAT I: took twice with the erroneous assumption that all colleges superscored, so I only focused on math the second time and ended up with the same overall score (2300)
CR:760 M:740 W:800
CR:740 M:800 W:760
ACT: 35 (retaking for scholarship purposes at U of M, and because science was my lowest)
SAT II U.S. History: 740
SAT II Math Level 2: 770
SAT II Biology - M: 740</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Debate [9-P]- State Quarterfinalist (10), State Qualifier (11), Erin Russell Most Valuable Debater Award (11), 1st Varsity Affirmative (9-11)
Lacrosse [9-P]- Varsity Letter (9-11), Captain (11), First-team All-State (9), Best Midfielder Award (9-11), Consistently ranked in the top 5 regional lacrosse players preseason by our local newspaper
Quiz Bowl [9-P]- Captain (11), All Metro-Team (11- only non-senior and/or female), All-State Team (11- 4 players chosen statewide)
Math Team [10-P]- 1st place “Chalk Talk” on proofs and origins of the Pythagorean Theorem in State-wide competition at UM-Flint (11)
Cross Country [9-P]- Captain (11), Most Improved Runner (10)</p>

<p>Volunteer/Service Work:
Working on establishing a “Science Sunday” program to introduce the at-risk children temporarily housed at a local crisis center to science. I’ve volunteered there quite a bit and now would really like to get this program up and running by the fall.</p>

<p>Honors and Awards:
Spanish Department Award of Excellence (10)
Academic Letter (10-11)
National Honors Society (11)
USABO National-Semifinalist (11)
Harvard Book Award (11)
Cum Laude (11)
AP Scholar with Distinction (12- will have)</p>

<p>Summers:
10- MMSS (U of M summer program for math and science)
11- Choir tour of Italy (sang for Pope Benedict at a high holy mass, had concerts in Assisi, Florence, and Rome), Workcamp in Central Pennsylvania
12- Research at MSU. Commuting >2 hours round trip during the first 2 weeks of the summer then living on campus and participating in the HSHSP program. Definitely will be entering a paper into competitions this fall.</p>

<p>AP
10- Bio (5), Spanish Language (4- no class formally offered at my school)
11- US History(5), Chemistry(4- teacher may be losing accreditation this year for lying on the syllabus he submitted to the College Board), English Language (5)
12- Calc BC, Economics, Gov (self-study b/c I can’t fit the class in my schedule), English Literature</p>

<p>By the way, I’m hoping to get recruited for sailing. I’ve been sailing all my life and would really like to be competitive in college, and I think (hope?) that I can catch the coach’s eye. I have the rough draft of my letter to him open in the other window.</p>

<p>I’m going to play up the languages thing, too- I passed into Spanish 3 freshman year and then Spanish 5 sophomore year, I taught myself conversational Italian for the trip to Italy, am teaching myself Latin this summer so I can pass out of lower level classes for senior year (I run out of classes, so I decided to take up another language), and am hoping my parents let me use some of my job money this fall to take Swahili online. To put this into context, I’m Irish American and live down the street from 3 greenhouses.</p>

<p>So… yeah. Let me know what you think, and whether I should consider retaking the SAT II Bio and Math.</p>

2

<p>You’ve got a good chance, with Harvard you never know. Maybe try to get your SAT 2 above 2300, but I dont really think it’s that necessary.</p>

3

<p>you got what it takes to get in. but with ivies… you never know. :(</p>

4

<p>By the way, you have an Academic Index Rating of 9! They look at you harder because of that! Congrads!</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/academic_index.htm[/url]”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/academic_index.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>I’m leaning towards retaking the SAT II Bio and Math 2, but would you guys recommend it? I’m not terribly concerned about the US History score because I got a 5 on the exam and the teacher is going to be writing one of my recommendations.</p>

6

<p>You have great SAT II scores, I think your energies would be better spent on your Sunday Science program, looking at the essay questions in the applications this summer, and filling out the questionnaire for recruits on the athletics website for sailing, if that will be your first sport. You have a well-rounded package and will find a home somewhere in the Ivies, and you are smart not to focus on one school only.</p>

7

<p>All right, thanks.</p>

<p>Anyone here have any experience contacting Harvard coaches? I’d love any advice. I have a rough letter written up, but what should I include besides a basic resume? Should I talk about the school in general at all just to convince him that I really am interested in the school as a whole, not just the sailing team?</p>

8

<p>We went through the process of contact with coaches last summer. They will want to know all your test scores and class ranking. (Yours are great!) The question is whether they need a sailor at this time. (Are you interested in playing lacrosse?) I believe they will assume you want Harvard, as most of the world does, so you probably do not have to stress the general angle. Do not fret over the details, just get the contact started so they will know you. Good luck.</p>

9

<p>Well, I was looking at their current roster and it looks as though quite a few people apparently joined with little to no prior experience. So, I figure it can’t hurt to have someone that knows going into college that sailing is what they want to focus on- don’t get me wrong, there are people there who’ve sailed in the Olympic trials. Anyways, so I figure there might be a spot.</p>

<p>I’d be interested in playing lacrosse, but as much as I love the sport, I’m just burnt out. That, and I’m not sure I’m quite good enough to compete at D1, especially as I’ve always opted for academic camps instead of lacrosse recruiting camps. Deep down, I’m really more of a nerd than anything else.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice, though. I was just planning on attaching a resume similar to the one I’m sending to schools later this fall, only a bit more concise and with the academic stats you mentioned. Sound good?</p>

10

<p>I like your location tag. Very funny! You wouldn’t know it from driving around Bloomfield Hills or Old Woodward in Birmingham, though. Anyways, I think your chances are very strong, but I think you already know that. You have a good shot at getting in based on everything listed above, so you have to work on distinguishing yourself. Do that by making your application look really great. No typos, even small ones. Making sure your essay says something (indirectly) unique about your attitude or goals in life and is a delight for someone who doesn’t know you to read. If it’s just another essay, you run a moderate risk of coming up against some other great applicants from your area and landing (or just being misplaced) in the dreaded “wrong pile.” Making sure your recommendations are illustrated with real examples, not just generalizations about how you are a good student. Perhaps getting an extra rec from someone who really knows you better than any of the teachers do. Good luck. Put your application together a couple months before it’s due, then throw it under the bed for a few weeks. Take it out, try to read it from the perspective of someone who doesn’t know you very well at all, and edit accordingly. Ideally it should tell a story, not just read as an application. Read a marketing textbook and repeat the process. Let some other people comment as well. Also, if you are really a bit of a nerd, you may be a better fit for Yale than Harvard, so hedge your bets, and visit extensively once you get in everywhere you apply :).</p>

11

<p>i find your SATI scores amusing
great app. good job</p>

12

<p>posterX, that is some of the best advice I’ve read yet. Thanks, and I’ll definitely practice it this fall.</p>

13

<p>hey, in my opinion u’ve got pretty gud chances…but like people said u never really know with harvard do u? If i were u i’d play up the fact that ur learning languages independently, and the sailing thing u talked about…it would probably distinguish u atleast a little, after all how many swahili speaking sailors are out there? :)</p>