<p>So my stats are low and I am not nearly as talented as most Harvard applicants, but I was just wondering if maybe Harvard may still want me. Harvard recently developed an entire department for human evolution. I am absolutely nuts about evolution, and I aspire to become a college professor teaching the subject and doing research. Although Penn is my dream school (I was deferred ED), no other school in the world has an entire department dedicated to evolution. Thus, I think Harvard would be a good fit for me even though my stats will prob prevent me from getting in.</p>
<p>SAT II:
Bio- M: 750
US History: 720
Math 2: took in December, almost positive it was a 800 </p>
<p>GPA: 4.90 Weighted
Class Rank: 33/556 (top 6%… would have been top 10 in class but screwed up fresh. year)
-I am taking the hardest schedule out of anyone in my school now.</p>
<p>Essays: Common app was really unique. Definitely will grab their attention. If you want to read it, just let me know.
Supp Essay: Didn’t start yet… still recovering from deferral from Penn.</p>
<p>ECs:<br>
-Many leadership roles (don’t feel like listing them all… but 3 presidencies, 2 secretary positions… captain of science and math teams as well)
-Full earned scholarship to travel to Prague, Budapest, Vienna, and Israel last summer (studied fossils in the dessert in Israel)… also did 50+ hours of community service while there
-Founded Ultimate Frisbee Club and Model UN at my school
Work at Barnes and Noble and Toms River Endoscopy Center
-Sleep over at the homeless shelter once a month
-Ocean County Math League Champion
-Give frequent lectures in my school about evolution (for instance, in medical club, I talk about its medical relevance)
-Varsity Cross Country and Track… JV Ice Hockey
-Edward J Bloustein Distinguished Scholar
-Tutor in school’s writing center
-Bunch of other clubs (environmental, french, ect…)</p>
<p>Recs:
All great and personable. One of them is from a nobel prize laureate that my grandpa is good friends with. </p>
<p>Penn is still my number one choice, but academically Harvard can offer me more than any other school. I know my resume is weak, but hopefully they are looking for enthusiastic undergrads to contribute to the department of human evolution.</p>
<p>Honestly I don’t see why your stats are low! I mean you have at least a 700 on each section. You have very good ECs and seem to be very passionate about evolution which will totally show in your app. I think you have a great chance!! I’m surprised you were deferred for Penn you look like a great applicant!!! Good Luck!</p>
<p>The fact that you have a special intellectual passion that makes H a unique choice for you should help to give you a leg up on applicants who wanted to be admitted but can’t articulate a reason why they’re a great fit there.</p>
<p>xs0itg0esx,
i spent an overnight at harvard in october (i’m applying as well) and honestly, your profile really reminds me of the kind of personalities of the students i met there. i think what made the people i met there so special was that they were well-rounded like you, but many also had one thing that really sparked their interest or inspired them. and literally, that person could talk about that one thing for hours and not be bored. for you, it’s human evolution. i think you have a great shot, and i really don’t think your stats will hinder you. good luck!!! :)</p>
<p>I agree with everyone else on how surprising it is that you got deferred from penn.
your stats+ECs +triple legacy should have been an easy in. The only thing I can think of is maybe your essays weren’t as good as you thought they were. If you want, I could take a look.</p>
<p>dunno, i guess i don’t have that sort of passion for anythin. I mean i’m interested in intellectual stuff, but you seem to be way more passionate than i am.</p>
<p>My cousin got into Harvard w/ 2240 SAT and SAT IIs = 2350 (800 Math2, 780 Physics, and 770 Chem). He applied for applied mathematics, he said they look for well-rounded individuals who are passionate about a particular subject (math, science, business, history, etc)</p>