<p>Is it possible to get into harvard with a low GPA but high ACTs and subject tests with really great extra-curricular activities.
I am debating on whether to even consider applying because my GPA is a 3.68 unweighted but I'm in the top 10%. </p>
<p>My extra-curriculars really show my commitment to medicine because I have two publications, which I think is why I kind of spread myself thin and ended up with a low GPA</p>
<p>Thank guys for the help! </p>
<p>=]</p>
<p>You and me both lol. I actually was wondering this too, will they look favorably at a high ACT despite a low GPA?</p>
<p>=] </p>
<p>Especially with the early action for 2012, I’m hoping it makes a difference</p>
<p>Any input anyone? please</p>
<p>What is “high ACTs”? And what is your class rank?</p>
<p>30/378 and 34 ACTs</p>
<p>Anyone that was accepted into Harvard have any opinions?</p>
<p>It would be much appreciated</p>
<p>Not to hijack, but my rank is 33/733 and ACT 34 as well</p>
<p>Apply, although your chances depend on the quality/legitimacy of your publications. If you have two peer reviewed papers in good journals, that’s awesome and I think it gives you a real chance.</p>
<p>Wow that really makes me excited!
My publications were done with a neurosurgeon
so its legitimate</p>
<p>Thanks impromptublue</p>
<p>anyone else?</p>
<p>im in the same boat, im gonna be applying with a 3.7 UW GPA but still the top 5% of my class and a really rigorous schedule… unfortunately i dont have any medical publications 
but i do have 500 hours of volunteer service and 2 varsity sports…</p>
<p>and btw why take the ACT over the SAT? im not being a critic i just want to know because hardly anyone at my school takes the ACT</p>
<p>
Because a lot of people have great success with the ACT whereas with the SAT, it’s not so much the case (or, it requires greater dedication and preparation).</p>
<p>I scored a mediocre 1290 (M + CR) on the SAT and a 35 on the ACT. You can really surprise yourself with the difference in performance on the two. 
</p>
<p>ghealy12 I wish you luck in your application process =] I’m sure you have a great resume.
As for the ACT, I thought it was much easier than the SAT and my scores were way better than what I could have ever imagined getting on the SAT</p>
<p>Your grades/class rank will hurt you because they are on the very low side of Harvard applicants. ECs are used as differentiators between people who have already done well in their grades and scores, not as a substitute for good grades and scores. However, getting published (depending on what it is and where it gets published of course) is a good thing and it will certainly help your application somewhat. No one here can say with certainty what your chances are in some numerical sense but people do get in with less-than-perfect grades and scores.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, what did you get published and where? How did you end up working with this neurosurgeon? Obviously don’t provide specifics for your privacy’s sake but in general what we we talking about here?</p>
<p>Also, you should definitely apply. Can’t get in if you don’t try. Unless the application fee is an issue.</p>
<p>Journal of Neurosurgery and its about several things involved tumors in the brain and various procedures, some which are more effective than others. </p>
<p>I met him through the volunteering coordinator in the hospital i volunteered for.</p>
<p>If not Harvard, I was also wondering about the Direct Medical Program at Boston University</p>
<p>^^^^Well I wasn’t admitted for their class of 2015, but I was waitlisted, so I guess I can offer some advice.</p>
<p>A 3.68 is NOT GOOD for Harvard. A Harvard admissions counselor said at an info session that good grades can make up for bad standardized tests, but good standardized tests can’t make up for bad grades. However, your published work and medical ECs do make your application good. If you have killer essays and an awesome interview, I’d say you have a good shot. A URM or recruited athlete hook could bring your chances into the high match range. However, it really is a crapshoot at a school like Harvard. I had a 2290 SAT, 3.98 UW GPA, tons of math and science ECs with lots of leadership and progress made as a leader, all-state band membership, and was 2-sport varsity athlete, and I still didn’t get in. Oh well. I’m going to Notre Dame, which I like WAYYY more :D</p>
<p>Wow thats really tough…I’m glad your happy where you ended up though!
And I think I’m considered odd because I’m Asian and low income…which is
not seen often, but I never considered it as a “hook”</p>