Should I apply to Harvard as a reach?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>I’ve been thinking about applying to Harvard as a reach even though I’m pretty much no where near their middle 50% of admitted students because I feel like I may have a very very small chance of getting in just based on the circumstances of my upbringing. Of course I won’t be completely depressed about it if I don’t get in because I already plan on attending Michigan State University, but I don’t have any reach schools I’m planning on applying to yet and Harvard seems like the most holistic in the Ivy League.</p>

<p>My stats:</p>

<p>Unweighted 3.72 GPA (I think I’m in the top third of my class)
Taking 3 AP courses this year. Most likely 2-3 my senior year. I’ve taken 1 honors class so far
ACT score: Hopefully between 25 and 27 (most likely on the higher end)</p>

<p>3 years of robotics (2 of which I’ll be the student head of the finance dept)
Hopefully 50-100 hours of community service before application</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Sorry man you need a much higher ACT score and GPA just to be in the average for Harvard. Unless you have a hook or some interesting ECs, you have a very low shot, but you can apply just out of curiousity</p>

3

<p>If you’re confident that you’re cirumstances/ecs can make up for scores & grades then go for it, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise</p>

4

<p>You should apply wherever you want, honestly. Just because someone on CC tells you not to doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.</p>

<p>That being said, it’s important to look at the facts:
[Admissions</a> Information - Harvard University - Cappex](<a href=“College Search Database: Find Your College Match | Cappex”>Harvard University Admissions and Acceptance Rate - Cambridge, MA | Cappex)
[Harvard</a> University Admissions: SAT Scores, Financial Aid & More](<a href=“http://collegeapps.about.com/od/collegeprofiles/p/harvard_profile.htm]Harvard”>Harvard University: Acceptance Rate, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA)
[Harvard</a> University Admissions Statistics and Chances | Parchment - College admissions predictions.](<a href=“Harvard University Admissions Statistics and Chances | Parchment - College admissions predictions.”>Harvard University Admissions Statistics and Chances | Parchment - College admissions predictions.)</p>

<p>According to these websites, your ACT score and GPA aren’t within the 25th percentile of admitted students. Also, if you look at the stats of a lot of the people on CC who are applying to Harvard (and I don’t mean those who have significant national awards or published research), they have a few more ECs than you do, and they take most or all honors and AP classes available at their school.</p>

<p>Does this mean you’re a bad student? Heck no! You have a wonderful stats, and, more importantly, I’m sure you’re a great person overall :slight_smile: Harvard just may not be the right fit for you right now. Because of that, if I were you, I wouldn’t spend time filling out an application for Harvard when I could be focusing on the schools at which I have a stronger chance. However, if you REALLY love Harvard, you could always apply just for the fun of it, making sure to have enough matches and safeties under your belt.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

5

<p>Unless you have a <em>serious</em> hook there is zero chance you’re getting into Harvard with a sub-30 ACT.</p>

<p>But the question is. Do you have a hook?</p>