Is Harvard possible for me?

aspiringauthor7
Sat, 10 Jun 2017 06:11:24 +0000

I think Harvard is an absolute dream for everyone, but based on your interests it might not actually be the best fit. I’d look into places with incredible programs for your major, not just places with esteem like the Ivies. Yes, this is an Ivy Leagues thread, but I’d advise you to look into places with really great physics and/or political programs. Who knows? Maybe a smaller or less competitive school has a special opportunity academically or otherwise that absolutely dazzles you. Harvard is great generally, but they might not be able to offer you the opportunities that, say, a Cal State school can, because they have a practical approach in all majors, especially STEM, that affords you work experience and some amazing research opportunities rarely offered at other colleges (I’m just speaking from my area of expertise, which is CA schools).

I advise you to look at other places because I chose which schools I wanted to attend based on what they had to offer me as an English major interested in double majoring and possibly concentrating in creative writing, not necessarily based on their name recognition. Some fantastic schools, like UC Berkeley, don’t have programs that I personally want to participate in, even though they may be perceived as the “best.” College is a tailor-made experience. It won’t fit you if you just take the cookie-cutter option and deal with the lumps. Since you’re paying for it, put in the work to make it the best experience possible.

You always have to be realistic and know where you can get in, and at such competitive schools like the Ivies it’s always a roll of the dice. Sometimes very diverse students with less than average GPAs or test scores are accepted. That’s why each school has a range of percentiles. Harvard admissions is building a graduating class; they don’t want a ton of people who are exactly the same. They seek out diversity in all aspects of the app. Unfortunately, your demographic is even more competitive than most regardless of the college you attend (they say they’re racially/ethnically blind but there’s an unspoken understanding of diversity quotas they need to fill). Best of luck to you, but I’d consider looking elsewhere not just because of your GPA, but because of your intended major(s).