<p>hello everyone, I am a rising junior and faced with a tough decision. I’ve read many posts on this ridiculous website, and it’s unbelievable how many insane people there are in this world that are somehow book-smart. The desperate need of some to get into Harvard is crazy. Anyway, some of you might wonder why I’m about to write a chance thread, which would be contradicting my previous statement lol. But after 2 years, I kind of realized I might just have a shot at this even if I don’t care too much. But if the opportunity to attend Harvard I will no doubt take it. Therefore, I’m wondering if I’m doing everything right. Don’t tell me to add something to my personality or app because I won’t. But am I on a good track?</p>
<p>white/jewish male from NY with ulcerative colitis
97% GPA
4 on the AP world exam (my weakest subj.)
2 National Spanish exam gold medals
3 sport varsity athlete
5x NYSSMA outstanding score- trumpet
perfect scores on NYS regents exams
junior sched: trig Honors, Chem honors, AP bio, AP lang, AP USH, sci res. dropped my lunch
This summer I just began a research study, on leukemic stem cells. This summer i am just learning how to use the machines, next summer will be an actual Intel project. The head of the lab I work in not only happens to be a patient of my cousin who is a dentist, but also happens to be one of the most esteemed stem cell researchers in the world. He has a strong connection to the Broad Insititute of Harvard and MIT, and knows a lot of scientists at Harvard/MIT. Would a letter of recommendation from him be a good thing? I don’t think it could hurt</p>
<p>Letter of Recommendation from him will definitely be beneficial. In my opinion, anyway.</p>
<p>Your EC’s are pretty good… Your chances depend on your SAT/ACT score
and yes ofcourse a recommendation from him will matter a little bit (not alot but little yes)</p>
<p>Buenas Suerte</p>
<p>Keep up the good work on your ECs, get that letter of rec. But remember, your chances are hardly better than anyone else. Harvard is a long shot for just about every applicant.</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone’s input! I will definitely study hard for those SATs</p>
<p>I think chance threads really aren’t all that useful, because essays are what seem to determine most acceptances at elite schools. Just my opinion though.</p>
<p>You are asking if you’re on the right track. The answer is yes. But the vast majority of rejected applicants are also on the right track. So the real question is, will you get in? And that question can’t be answered on this website.</p>
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True. It is also true that the vast majority of those on the right track are rejected.</p>
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<p>Like DwightEisenhower pointed out elsewhere, I honestly don’t see what’s the point of this. It’s a wonderful school, but you’ll no doubt have equally memorable undergrad years at other colleges as well. If you come back to this post in five, ten years, you may find all this desiring, worrying completely hilarious in some ways.</p>
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<p>…What’s “right”? </p>
<p>Having the chance to work in a lab as a high school student is a rare privilege. I wouldn’t ruin it by focusing too much on its resume padding potential but rather treasure it to the fullest while it lasts, as a valuable learning experience. Chances are that you won’t make Intel finalist, but the lab experience will hopefully stick to you as memorable and valuable nevertheless. </p>
<p>In terms of the rec, I think how well the person writes about you, how much he knows about you personally, is much more important than how famous he or she is. Four general lines from a Nobel laureate is less useful IMO than a persuasive letter from your high school science teacher attesting to your personal qualities and why he thinks you must be admitted.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the opinions again !</p>