Reality is setting in... please CHANCE ME

Colleges & Universities Harvard University
1

<p>I know Harvard is a huge stretch, but it has always been my dream… Unfortunately, I don’t have any awards or anything that makes me stand out. I’m an asian girl. First generation to go to college in America. </p>

<p>My school transcript is pretty good. I have a 4.0 unweighted and a 4.5+ weighted. I’m number 2 in a class of 500+ students. I’ve taken the hardest classes since my sophmore year (I was new freshman year and my counselors arn’t that great). I’ve taken AP Physics, AP Calc, AP World History, AP Chem, AP Bio, AP US Gov, AP English language and gotten all fives except a 4 in AP World. I have taken AP Psychology and AP Microeconomics in my free time online. My schedule for senior year is AP Art Studio, AP Advanced Physics, AP Computer science, AP Eng Lit, AP Statistics, AP Spanish, plus an engineering class. </p>

<p>I’m a pretty good tester. I got a 36 on my ACT and I’m retaking my SAT in the fall. On my SATII’s I got a Math II 800, Chemistry 800, Bio 790, physics 780. </p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Freshman year I was really into volleyball. I did school and club volleyball and also summer camps. Didn’t really win anything except most improved… haha
I have been on the varsity academic team/quiz bowl since sophmore year. We got second place at regionals.
I have been in studen council since freshman year. I was the vice president junior year.
I was accepted into the math tutoring club junior year as well as the science tutoring club (I was elected vice president)
I was cochair of the community division of Renaissance (another school leadership type club).
I was inducted in NHS junior year and chosen to be president for senior year.
I am actively involved in Key Club (community service), art club, Mock trial
I’m trying to start some more math and science competition clubs at my school.
I help students in China with editing research papers and finding information.
I also started an advising program with a few high school/middle school students in China.
I’m part of a statewide science academy/club. </p>

<p>Awards:
I’ve gotten pretty much every school and school district award.
I’ve gotten the harvard book award… but I hear that’s not hard at all
So far i know I’m at least a national merit commended…</p>

<p>Community Service:
I have a couple hundred volunteer hours from volunteering at hospitals ( I want to enter the medical field) and Key Club activities. I spent a spring break in Mississippi helping dig 4 ft deep holes for foundations for homes (possible essay). </p>

<p>Summers:
I have gone to volleyball camps, med school camps, and volunteered.
I have done research at a University on radio and fluorescent probes for medical imaging and written a paper about it.
I have traveled to visit relatives… nothing big
I do alot of art projects…</p>

2

<p>With a 4.0 GPA and a 36 ACT, you’re going to be very competitive. But, since it is Harvard, you need to make sure that you’re essays are spectacular if you really want to have a good shot at getting in. Just be certain that you are choosing Harvard because it is the best school for you, not just because it has the best reputation.</p>

3

<p>I agree that essays should be your primary concern now. Apply.</p>

4

<p>OP, I normally do not respond to chances thread but just wanted to point out
that if you are from MO or some other mid-west state your background will
propel you to the top in terms of admittance standing; if instead you are from
CA, CT, MA , MD, NY or TX your background as impressive as it is will be similar to
a number of your peers.</p>

<p>Given your asian heritage I would advise going easy on the Math & Science
and concentrating elsewhere in terms of the application focus. Your leadership
areas stand out with your student council and other positions. Your SAT II
scores will be a great influencer as well.</p>

<p>Your GPA and ACT score will be a positive factor but not a key reason for
admittance. Also, some of your club activities* may come across as bogus especially
for those that know what these are - you might want to exorcise these. Not having
national awards is okay as long as others in your district do not have any as well.</p>

<ul>
<li>as a simple rule of thumb anything you spend less than 3 hrs a week on during
a school year is not worthwhile to report unless you have national level awards
in the activity or it forms part of a larger focus (as in ‘art activities’ etc.)</li>
</ul>

5

<p>Well, I am just a HS student who has not (yet = D) been admitted into Harvard. However, if you are like me, you probably want all the advice that can be offered with regards to how to improve your app/your chances at Harvard. You know that your GPA/Test Scores are fantastic. I am a little bitter about the ACT (I hate it and think the SAT is superior in in every way), but you are still good to go. Your ECs, though, are another story. I dont really see any state/national awards, as you already probably know. So, try to get some…if its not too late and start writing kick a** essays. Just work hard and you will succeed. Your chances at Harvard are slightly above average (15-20% ish).</p>

6

<p>Thanks everyone.</p>

<p>Yea i’m from the midwest (actually from MO). I’m really into art, I spend over ten hours on projects a week… I will probably emphasize this in my application</p>

7

<p>Emphasizing art is probably good because the president of Harvard made speeches last year about having more emphasis on the arts at Harvard. I believe that Drew Faust is even talking about a new visual arts major, maybe film, and drama. That’s what I remember, anyway.</p>

<p>However, I do want to ask why Harvard has always been your dream. If you do not know a lot about colleges and universities, you might want to look into other schools too. Especially if you love art.</p>

<p>You should not be just thinking about where you can get it, but also where you want to go. Harvard has a famous name, and has a lot of good points, but you should still examine why it is that you “dream” of going there.</p>