<p>Is a decent ACT score (32) good enough for an Asian to get into Harvard ? IMO, I think my test scores are probably the worst part of my application, because the other factors of my application are pretty good.</p>
<p>Thanks for you time!</p>
<p>Here’s to all those people who don’t have stellar scores ;)</p>
<p>A 32 is perfectly fine. I had a 31 (I’m Asian btw). What is more important is that you stand out. There will be plenty of Asian applicants with better scores, but most of them will simply fit the Asian mold (not trying to be stereotypical, but it’s true to some degree). If you have something that stands out (atypical E-Cs, athletics, etc), you have a decent chance, imo.</p>
<p>I applied ea with a 32 act score.</p>
<p>Did you get in?</p>
<p>32 is fine, unless you are International.</p>
<p>I got in EA with a 31. Not Asian though.</p>
<p>I got in EA with a 31 ACT and 2110 SAT. I am Asian. Scores are not everything.</p>
<p>My interviewer and I had a discussion about this. He said that scores are extremely insignificant when compared to the other parts of your application. In short, the difference between a 32 and a 36 could change test date by test date, and in Harvard’s view, is not reason enough to deny a candidate. He did say that it might bolster some applications of those who are the next Einsteins, but he also said that Harvard is not looking for bookworms.</p>
<p>When I had my interview, I hadn’t brought it up, but the interview commented “Oh, you have great scores!” That’s when I realized that, even though he might not be all too aware of scores, not all applicants are as CC makes them out to be.</p>
<p>Hello. Do you think it’s still possible to get into Harvard with 29 ACT?</p>
<p>So many people do so well on the ACT!! Lol. I fear my results will not be as stellar… Can anyone give me some tips? Lol. BTW, science tends to be my weakest, any ways to improve on it?
I want to take the SAT as a back-up… is the SAT slightly easier (especially since it excludes a science portion…)?</p>
<p>Admission is about more than tests, but tests are still important. Stats on Yale admits for class of 2015 confirm that the higher the test score, the better the chances of admission, but high test scores don’t guarantee admission. Looking at the SAT verbal, for example, Yale admitted 15% of those with scores of 760 or higher, 10% of those with scores between 700 and 750, less than 5% of applicants with scores between 600 and 690, and less than 2% of applicants below 600. Patterns for math and writing were similar.</p>
<p>If you look at the 25th and 75th percentiles for entering freshman on both the SAT and the ACT, Yale and Harvard are very similar. On each of the three SAT tests, the 75th percentile at both Yale and Harvard is either 790 or 800. The 25th percentile at both is somewhere between 690 and 710, depending on the test. On the ACT, 25th percentile at both is around 31, 75th percentile ~34. </p>
<p>So the correlation between test score and admission at Harvard has to be very similar to Yale’s, though the percentage of those admitted at any given level would be lower at Harvard.</p>
<p>In answer to kentawata’s question, it is possible to get into Harvard with a 29 ACT, but the chances aren’t good – unless you’ve got something else in your application that Harvard really wants.</p>
<p>Thank you for your response, Opensecret. I have a further question…
So since my ACT score is not that great, I have to bet that my essay and extracurricular activities will attract Harvard. My essays are really well-written in my opinion, but I am little worried about extracurricular activites. I’ve devoted my 4 years almost to music; I had been playing 4 different instruments and also joining in vocal group. My essay, supplement, and EC short essay are based on music as well. If I am able to show my strong passion with music, do you think I have chance to get in? btw I am planning to continue joining musical groups in college.</p>
<p>On the EC’s, demonstrating passion is a good thing. Also good are demonstrating leadership and very high levels of accomplishment in your music.</p>
<p>I will show my passion with music through my essays as well. I am also planning to send CD with the recording of me playing violin, piano, and singing, as a supplemental material. Will they consider it significant?</p>
<p>Excluding Asians, people could get into Harvard with a 27 ACT. They just need to have substantial EVERYTHING else.</p>
<p>So Asians have no chance of getting into Harvard with <30 ACT score?</p>
<p>^Nothing is set in stone like that. Sure, an Asian could get in with sub 30 scores but every other pert of the application would have to be absolutely incredible.</p>
<p>Sent from my DROIDX using CC App</p>
<p>Thank you :]</p>