uw gpa: 4.0 w gpa: 4.34 sat:1550
one thing is that i changed schools for my junior year so i couldn’t do most of my ecs for all four years which im scared will sink me
taken 7 aps: sophomore year: human geo (5) and seminar (3)/ junior year: calc ab (5) bio (5) apush (5) spanish lang (5) english lang (5)
will take in senior year: calc bc, physics c, euro, spanish lit, and english lit
major: global health/biology and spanish
awards (weakest area id say): harvard book award, ap scholar with distinction, some all state band stuff, and ive been told by my counselor that i got some level of national merit, and borlaug scholar which is part of the world food prize (see below)
ecs:
- research with mentor in university department of pediatrics: full year commitment: will be published and presented at a national conference in the spring (2 years)
- alzheimer’s research with mentor in university neuroscience department: summer commitment: presented at 2 conferences (one summer)
- world food prize: international conference where 150 students worldwide get to present their solutions for hunger to experts. (2 years bc of qualifying rounds and stuff)
- founded school club that hosts fundraisers for local organizations combating poverty, have raised about $2000 in our first year with 40 members (2 years)
- president of national spanish honor society (2 years)
- johns hopkins global health leadership conference (one summer)
- short internship in lab that is researching how to 3d print livers (3 weeks)
- foreign exchange in spain through university program where about 120 students are selected (6 weeks)
- one of 30 students selected in state to design program that increases advocacy for latino youths, will become a full state program this year (2 years)
- edit research studies for university’s gastro department (2 years)
*i have a few safety schools but my top schools are northwestern, harvard, yale, washu, and georgetown. my super dream school is harvard but i don’t want to waste my chance to ed to one of the other schools by holding out for a school i won’t get into.
If Harvard is the dream, go for it! Assuming it’s affordable, of course. No one here can really chance you for these reach schools, but your stats are in the ballpark. Good luck to you!
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What will sink you is not you or your ECs but the overall list.
No one can tell you that you’d get into Harvard. But no one can tell you that you won’t.
You are impressive. Transferring is not a big deal.
If Harvard is the goal and you’ve worked your tail off for it, why would you ED elsewhere ?
Just make sure your parents can afford it.
You may get into none of these -most won’t. Or you may get into multiple.
Btw many kids go to elite schools RD. ED stats are inflated due to hooked kids.
I can’t chance you but I would say you’d be making a mistake binding yourself elsewhere before you hear from Harvard.
Good luck
Ps - have you visited or is it a dream school based on reputation. Best to visit any school is possible before committing and/ or applying ED.
What is your home state or what region of the US are you from?
thanks so much for responding! i have visited and just really fell in love with the school, honestly wish it was less prestigious so i could get in but whatever. and yeah im currently planning on applying rd pretty much everywhere, im scared of missing out on a valuable chance to get into an amazing school but binding decision probably isn’t right for me. thanks for the advice!
any thoughts on how that impacts my chances?
I’m just trying to be consistent with titles on the Chance Me/Match Me forum.
Just remember most kids don’t ED. It’s not an eliminator.
Many ED kids are hooked - athletes, etc. the acceptance #s are inflated.
And there are TONS of amazing schools.
Are you sure all are affordable ? Another important point.
Good luck.
Ps with this set being from Indiana is likely of little impact.
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You are a wonderful student but please add some more realistic schools to your list. Your stats are in the ballpark for all your reaches but most well qualified students are rejected. Unless you are hooked, chances are slim. Make sure you have targets and safety schools you really like!
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@bealacerda Apply to Harvard REA, if you are sure it is your first choice, good fit culturally, and NPC numbers work for your family. You should probably apply to all other schools RD.
I encourage you to submit samples of your academic work - abstracts of your research and articles, where possible. Your ECs are impressive, but look fragmented. Those LORs and Essays will be important. Good luck!
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thanks for the advice! ive heard a lot of the risks involved with rea for highly selective schools so im a little concerned about that. could you elaborate on what you mean by fragmented, anything i can resolve before applying?
i definitely also have realistic schools just didn’t include them here
What risk ? You’ll get in or deferred or won’t. There’s no risk. It’s your top choice.
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i was referring to the more competitive applicant making it more difficult to get in but it’s really easy for me to be persuaded by the higher acceptance rate so idk
The applicants are the same. But with REA - you would be moved to RD. They reject few. If you get moved and want to apply ED2 elsewhere, you can. You will have tried.
Harvard says this:
Is it easier to be accepted if I apply Restrictive Early Action? Harvard does not offer an advantage to students who apply early . While admit rates tend to be higher in Restrictive Early Action, this reflects the remarkable strength of the applicant pool rather than a benefit of application timing.
Don’t panic. Put your best foot forward. If you don’t get in, no biggy. Few do. It’s why you have safeties.
Ps on ECs - which is your regular, do it all the time. I see the two year food program but it sounds like on occasion.
Are you on a sports team or have a part time job, etc ?
I see quantity and quality but maybe not regularity. You may have it. Make sure it comes out.
i do have a part time job, and most of the clubs and one of the research projects is all year for at least two years, is that what you’re asking about? my job is on my resume too
What risks would that be? There are restrictions, but I am not aware of any risks - you are not obligated to commit to Harvard if you are admitted REA.
a lot of people think that rea can be hurtful for your application bc you’re being compared against a more competitive pool, many spots are virtually reserved for athletes and legacies, and officers are gonna be more cautious when accepting as to not over admit. i just don’t wanna sink my application by applying at the wrong time even though it probably isn’t as big of a deal as i’m making it out to be
Yeah u r overthinking.
The likely result in REA is deferral which isn’t fair although one could be accepted or rejected.