Future classes...

Colleges & Universities Harvard University
1

<p>Hi everyone!
I’m new here, and I’m only a sophomore in HS. I know there is no “plan” or “system” to get into Harvard, but I’m sure some of you have recommendations about classes (like how many years of a language, etc). So here’s a little about me:
Weighted GPA: 4.25
School doesn’t rank
I’ve taken AP Comp Sci A (got a 5) and I’m taking AP Comp Sci AB now (definitely going to get a 5 :slight_smile: ).
Soph. PSAT: 189 (but that was totally raw and I wasn’t feeling 100%… so with a prep class I’ll probably get >215 Junior year)
Classes this year:

  • Chemistry Honors (A-)
  • Latin III (A)
  • AP Comp Sci AB (A-)
  • English II (A-)
  • World and Europe II (B+)
  • Pre-Calculus Honors (B+)</p>

<p>Next year I will be taking:

  • AP Chem
  • Latin IV
  • Advanced Topics in Comp Sci (honors course)
  • English III Honors
  • US History
  • AP Calc BC
  • Scientific Study and Research (design your own science/engineering project and execute it. The teacher already loves my proposal for a project and has started ordering parts so I can begin this summer. I will enter this to ISEF).</p>

<p>Senior year I will be taking:

  • AP Physics C E&M
  • AP Physics C Mech
  • Advanced Topics in Comp Sci (honors course)
  • AP English (I forgot exactly which of the two it is but I know it is the more difficult one…)
  • Advanced Seminar in Mathematics (honors course)
  • Scientific Study and Research</p>

<p>ECs:

  • Rocketry Club (founder/president last year and this year - I switched High Schools last year) - national finalist (rocketcontest.org/tarc) both years (the competition is funded by 30 aerospace companies, NASA, and the Department of Defense. It’s big :slight_smile: ).
  • Wrote a book for McGraw-Hill’s Professional department. It teaches students and hobbyists how to program their own video games in Java.
  • My concept of controlling your computer with a laser was featured in the April '08 Popular Science magazine
  • I worked last (and this coming) summer at a lab at UCLA. I basically have my own project (but I’m not allowed to mention details… darn confidentiality agreements :wink: ).
  • I was the NJHS president last year. But my new school does not have a NHS, so I wonder if this is even important…
  • I was on the SciBowl team this year
  • I’ve been involved with FIRST robotics for many years. But next year, as a Junior, I will be the captain/president of the team/club
  • I also collect books for underprivileged libraries around Southern California.
  • Fencing team (with my school)</p>

<p>Hooks? None :frowning: No URM or anything else…</p>

<p>I know my grades aren’t the absolute best, but they are pretty good. And I think my ECs (especially my book and Rocketry Club) really set me apart (I hope :slight_smile: ).</p>

<p>Anyways, I’m definitely going to be applying to Harvard (judging from their website, it seems like an amazing college with SOOO many opportunities :slight_smile: ). I know I really shouldn’t be worrying now, but I want to make sure I’m on the right track. As you can see, I’m planning on dropping history and Latin senior year. Is this okay? Or does Harvard prefer I stick with it until graduation?</p>

<p>Thanks so much for any advice!!!</p>

<p>Oh and good luck to those of you who hear the (hopefully) good news on Monday…</p>

2

<p>So any advice? Thanks! :)</p>

3

<p>My advice for now would be to wait until the furor from the new admits/waitlists/rejects dies down. I’d say to wait about a week and then bump the thread back up, you’ll probably get more responses that way (I usually avoid giving advice in these types of threads).</p>

4

<p>You’ll defiantly want to get that SAT score up to contend. I wouldn’t worry too much about History and Latin as long as you can still present yourself as well rounded.</p>

5

<p>Thanks! I’ll bump this back up in a week or two…</p>

<p>GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!</p>

6

<p>hm…this cinnamaldehyde person sounds kinda familiar…</p>

7

<p>Well congrats to all those that got accepted!</p>

<p>Now that the excitement has (slightly - very slightly) died down, I’m bumping this thread :)</p>

8

<p>You are IN at every freaking college in the world.</p>

<p>The fact that you published a book (looks awesome btw, I saw it on Amazon), published an article in a science magazine, and obvious presentation of your passion for rocketry, programming, electronics, etc… pretty much guarrantees you a spot at any college in US. And you are only a sophomore! Your grades are pretty good (you could do better though) and I am sure you will do much better on the actual SAT when you do decide to take it. Keep up the good work! If you are as heavily devoted to your ECs in the future as you are right now, I am sure Harvard will want you to come to their school.</p>

9

<p>lol and on top of that you attend harvard-westlake, one of the premier ivy sending schools in the country?</p>

<p>i honestly see no problem facing you in the near future. just get ur sats a lil higher</p>

10

<p>As my username suggests, AP SAT and GPA are critical components of the admissions process.</p>

11

<p>thanks for the advice!</p>

12

<p>Actually your EC’s cause you to be very similar to other research bound individuals especially from your school. And by looks of your interests, Harvard would actually be one of the least “research opportunity” filled colleges; although it is second to Princeton in “ranks,” it is often criticized for its LACK of focus on the undergraduate because of its prestigious law/med/business graduate schools.</p>

<p>If you would truly like to auto get in, I suggest castrati singing unless it is too late. Puberty?</p>

13

<p>Score high, and excel in what you like to do. It seems like your thing is science. There are plenty of national competitions where you can shine, and it seems like you are doing pretty well w/ that. So… get us on Mars asap!</p>

<p>Fencing and volunteer thing works too. Just do something meaningful (to you) with those.</p>

14

<p>Well said TehPwnzor…I assume you have a high AP SAT and GPA. Nevertheless, Harvard-Westlake - Westlake = Harvard, so you are on the right track icinnamon. Free book plz?</p>