Hi there! I’m not new to this forum but this is my first time posting. I am not here to make another chance post and list off extracurriculars and test scores, I simply have a unique situation and would love to hear any advice and feedback on my application, which will be quite different. As a first generation putting myself through community college at 15 years old, I really did have to learn everything on my own and I know the value of learning from those with more knowledgeable.
Just to break it down, I have somethings going for me, such as a interesting and meaningful life story and a passion and clear life goal. I grew up abroad as a missionary kid, traveled my whole life, preforming, witnessing, and helping others. My parents have both had major illness (cancer, tumor) and my mother currently has a chronic pain condition called Fibromyalgia. I took care of her a lot as a kid as well as three siblings. And my older sister, who had developed Autism and I had primarily cared for, was suddenly killed in a pedestrian accident not 8 months ago, another trial I’ve had to overcome.
But I’ve learned to make the best out of life and of my situation. I’ve worked as an English teacher across Taiwan as early as 12 and preformed in bands, playing multiple instruments and dancing. I started a dual credit program in US at 15 and by 16 had graduated high school and studied in college full time. I ran my own business for those years to help support my family and pay my student expenses. We struggled with finances and I stepped up to make sure my little sister would never have to know poverty. By the time I turned 17 I had my Associates with a 4.0 gpa, honors, dean’s list and Phi Theta Kappa. I took some time off to work for an International Education Company and went on business trips to China, where my knowledge of the Mandarin Language was quite handy. I worked more in education for a few months in Taiwan as well as advising on an emerging education company in China, where, at an airport, I met someone who worked closely with Stanford and opened me up to the idea of applying to an Ivy League University. I’m 18 now and I have a clear passion for Medicine, read every book I can get my hands on and have a far above average knowledge of diseases and the health care field. Apart from one day joining Doctors Without Borders and being a humanitarian, my ultimate dream is to revolutionize the Global Health Care Field and start my own Humanitarian Research Organization. I believe Harvard would award me that opportunity to meet like minded, inspired people and satisfy my passion for innovative medical solutions. In addition, I earned my EMT licence this year and am gaining real life experience each day.
Here are the cons. I was home schooled, mostly because I was living overseas, and most of my education past middle school was self taught. Everything I learned on my own and I only had access to what little resources were available to me. I didn’t exactly have your typical prep school opportunities of APs and respectable awards for every achievement I’d done. My high school GPA was still 3.9 and I graduated under an umbrella school in a top ranking, but I worry my academics lack. My tests score’s aren’t much to look at. Since I went strait into college, I never had need for the standardized tests and my first try, which had to be taken without any time to study, unfortunately, was just above average for my state; not even close to competitive. Though I think I’ll do better on the ACT this round, I’m certainly not counting on my scores to get me in. They’re laughable low, but my college GPA and life experiences have proven I can be successful in the world regardless of a standardized test that I’ve known many extremely intelligent people to score low on and passionless, poor students to ace.
I’m sorry to make such a lengthy, self centered post; it must look quite selfish. Please move on if you don’t want to respond or even read it all, I perfectly understand, but I would greatly appreciate any feedback or opinions. And thoughts on if you think Harvard would even be the right place for me, or if another University comes to mind. I’ve heard some students from lower income families struggle with the adjustment to Harvard Life. Your opinion really matters a lot to me. Thank you all for your time.
