Well, I’ve also applied to UK and got an offer from Imperial, UCL, Durham, Warwick and an interview from Cambridge. So I guess that’s why I’m not too worried. Thanx for the reply tho
Yeah definitely have a few safety schools. Your resume may be good enough to get into your list of colleges but all of those are so elite and hard to get into that I wouldn’t risk it.
Well, I wasn’t expecting such an optimistic comment, but thanx I already have acceptances from safety schools in UK, so I think it’s a risk worth taking, but yeah. I guess I’m just trying everything I can
Very surprising that you got deferred from Harvard NOT because I expected you to get in, BUT because I expected you to get rejected almost on sight.
Main weakness (from Harvard’s perspective): SAT, SAT 2, GPA, ECs (if “debate club, math club” are the only main things).
Strength/Hooks: None
Just as TomSrofBoston noted, you must add safeties AND matches.
[QUOTE=""]
Yale
Stanford
MIT
Princeton
Cornell
Johns Hopkins
<<<
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First of all, not only are they automatically considered reaches to everyone, but they also look absolute reaches to you as well based on your profile.
@HardOREasy Thanx for the advice! In fact, I did get told by some people that they were surprised of the deferral based on my below-average grade
Thanx alot for stating my main weaknesses btw! I guess I’ll need to work on those (although SAT and GPA, ECs are over xD)
I do have acceptances from some safety schools in UK, but I guess I’m just trying my best at these US unis now
Thanx for the advice
It’s okay. I got deferred from Harvard too. These are my stats.
AP: US Government
IB: HL: Math, Psychology, English, History / SL: Chemistry, Spanish
GPA: 4.0 out of 4.0
SAT: 1520 out of 1600
SAT II: Math II 800, Chemistry 740, Spanish 640
ACT: 36
Extra-curricular: orchestra, cross-country, tennis, student government, church choir
Essays: 7/10
Btw, I’m Asian too. @KAISTKYS My Harvard interviewer said that Harvard looks more at extracurricular activities and essays because they know everyone has great GPA’s or scores. At this point, my advice to you is to write a letter to Harvard saying that you’re still interested in attending. That’s what I’m doing.
You already have safety schools, so it is fine to reach in the regular decision round. I would advise you to focus primarily on your essays for your other schools, since that is where you will be able to show yourself off the most.
@KonglishSpeaker Whoa o.0 really impressive, with 4 HLs! Looking at your stats, you seem like a better version of me xD
I think I’ll definitely work on my essay because that’s the only thing I can actually show them who I am, but isn’t writing a letter a bit far? I mean, I assume they’re quite busy with all the rd decisions flooding in that they really wouldn’t want an extra message from a student they’ve already gone through
@KonglishSpeaker If that’s coming from the interviewer, what can I say o.0 I probably won’t (and don’t have the courage to :P), but hopefully we’ll see each other in Harvard next year
Are you only willing to come to the US for an “Ivy” education or would you come here for a school that’s still pretty darn good but perhaps not as prestigious?
The reason i ask is, the American schools you’ve mentioned are all reaches – hard to get into for Americans and even harder for international students. So if you want a better chance of having American options, you’ll want to pick a few less selective schools.
@prezbucky Even to me, that does seem true, because the unis on the list are really really hard. But then, I have specific reasons and personal relationships as to why I want to go to those unis (Harvard in particular, because I really really have a strong connection with their program). Thanx for the advice tho
My D got into Stanford(currently a freshman) with similar stats as you, also Asian unhooked, with stellar essays ( likely the tipping point for her) — work hard on those essays, get feedback from your teachers/counselors, mentors.
@iska123 Firstly, congratulations! I’m really happy to hear about your daughter’s acceptance, and it’s really encouraging to hear that she was in a similar situation! Although I can’t get any feedbacks of any sort because every teachers are on the Christmas holiday I think I’ll just try my best to show them who I am. Thanx for the advice!
@prezbucky Sorry, let me clarify. I am actually Asian American, and I was born in and live in the United States. But you’re right, I would have a better chance with less selective schools, as with anyone. @KAISTKYS May I suggest Duke? There’s still about a week before the deadline.
@KonglishSpeaker Thanx for the suggestion, but I don’t think my counselor will appreciate me changing my rd plans a week before . Plus, I don’t have any reason to study in Duke, although it’s one of the most prestigious unis in the world.
I already have acceptances from safety schools in UK, so I think it’s a risk worth taking, but yeah. I guess I’m just trying everything I can 
