<p>I know most of the users here are HS seniors going into college or college students/graduates. I don't want to bother you guys much, but I really want to start thinking about college early. I just wanted to know, from those of you who have been accepted by Harvard University (particularly Business school) or know what it takes to get in. I already know I'm a 4.0gpa student, more weighted. I'm highly academically motivated, hard worker. But I know that doesn't cut it. I'm in Honor Society, Student Government, School Newspaper, etc. and do a decent amount of community service (only a sophomore, a lot more stuff to do). I don't do or plan to do any music or sports. First question: Do I have to be doing even more, like starting clubs, doing out-of-school community service, or whatever to really even be considered? How would I go about doing any of it? Next, my goal is valadictorian, and I really believe I stand a good chance. What do you think is the lowest grade to get on your SATI to get into Harvard? I am going to plan/practice/study for it this year and next year. I really want a head-start so I have a chance at Harvard. I just want to know what my lowest grade to shoot for or above is (i know, shoot for a perfect score, but what if i don't, realistically? isn't it really difficult for a perfect score?) I am 50% brains, 50% hard work, and so far, it hasn't failed me yet. I am taking all the AP courses availible, etc. and I'm doing very well in them. Is there anything else I should be working on to stand a chance at admission into Harvard Business School? I need to see all the ways to give me an edge. I've heard that being a minority is a plus. I don't want to use that as my main reason for acceptance, but would that affect it in any way? I was born in Pakistan, but I grew up in America, and have no language barrier whatsoever. So I appreciate your time and effort. Sorry for this long message. I am one of those perfectionists, who have to make sure they're doing everying perfectly. Please give me any advice on how to stand a BETTER chance at Harvard or any Ivy League college. I appreciate it so much!</p>
<p>Your stats are great just like about 95% of the Harvard applicants every year. My advice is to stop thinking so much about your grades and test scores and what you think Harvard or any other elite school wants to see. Start doing some things that you really love to do and are really good at. Don't count on your brains or hard work to get you into the "elite" schools. It's really more your heart and soul that will get you in. You are not from a low income famliy by any chance? Did your parents go to college? If you are low-income, first generation to college and high achieving it's a different game.
My #1 piece of advice is to get off thinking you HAVE to go to Harvard. Identify what you want from a college experience and go find some other options. And don't spend too much time on CC discussion forum.</p>
<h2>"You are not from a low income famliy by any chance? Did your parents go to college? If you are low-income, first generation to college and high achieving it's a different game."</h2>
<p>Thanks for the advice. Here are my answers to those questions you asked me. I am from a very low income family. My parents did not go to college in America. I am the first generation at an American college, and yes, I am a high achiever. So does that change anything? Oh, and yes, I know I don't HAVE to go to Harvard, but it's a personal preference. I have reasons. It's the best university for business education (according to stats), I like the feel of the campus (i've seen pics), I like the large size of land/students/variety. It's not like I'll cry if I don't go to harvard, but you know how it is. It wouldn't hurt to go there, right?
:) thanks again.</p>
<p>business at harvard is only at graduate level if I'm not mistaken. I know for sure that their economics ( just in case you're interested) degree is one of the best. You might also want to check out other great school that do have an undergrad level business program like wharton.</p>
<p>Well low-income. Now we're talking. I think if you're parents have college degrees from Pakistan you are not considered first generation. Being from Pakistan, you are not a "minority" as far as Harvard is concerned and for sure you are not the coveted "under represented minority" but there are many fantastic schools where any color brightens up the pale environment and I can think of a few where you may well get an excellent financial package. Low income is good.
Here are a couple of resources for you.
Sign up as a Venture Scholar <a href="http://www.venturescholar.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.venturescholar.org/</a>
and check out <a href="http://www.questbridge.org%5B/url%5D">www.questbridge.org</a>
Don't waste your time in high school doing things you're not interested in. You have to think outside the box. What do you like to do?
Really try hard to drop the notion that Harvard is the only place you will be happy and successful because frankly, that's not true and unfortunately not likely. I don't mean to discourage you but you need to open your mind a bit.</p>
<p>yeah i can live with out harvard...as long as i get into stanford lol.</p>
<p>you guys are horrible
this kid comes in and he wants to know what kind of stuff he should do to have a shot at harvard and the best advice you can give him is to not focus on harvard?</p>
<p>"My #1 piece of advice is to get off thinking you HAVE to go to Harvard."</p>
<p>he never said that... and he wasnt asking for advice on what college to go to...</p>
<p>pitiful.</p>
<p>no, you miss the point spyder. He is not being discouraged. He is being exposed to the knowledge usually held by current students and graduates, who have realized that their favorite college during the application process was not the one and only (even if they were accepted to, and attended, it). I see you are a senior in HS this year. I'm sure you will interpret this as condescending, just as I would have a year ago, but I find there are very few students who are not already accepted and commited to a college who fully understand the concept being discussed in this thread.</p>
<p>Everything on this thread is true, helpful, and well intended. It is true, the OP is an excellent student with an impressive list of accomplishments. This does not make him very different from most other applicants who have a chance at a top school, especially a pinnacle one like Harvard.</p>
<p>Passion is what makes a student stand out. A huge numbers-driven school, even an excellent one, doesn't require much passion, but a smaller, more elite one is quite a different story. Pursuing what he loves and accomplishing great things in the area will make the OP a much more likely acceptance than achieving a 4.0 and a 2400. That is the advice being given.</p>
<p>The path to the college you want is found by focusing on what you love, not on the college itself.</p>
<p>Sparticus800 is correct. No one here at Harvard did stuff "just for college" - they were --- and still really are, passionate about what they do. Extracurriculars here are just like pre-professional organizations. It is a lot of work and a huge time commitment. But all of us love what we do, so we don't complain :)</p>
<p>god i hate you people</p>
<p>"im so much better than you because i dotn do stuff "just for college"
"i have true passions, you need to have true passions or youre going to boil in hell for all eternity"</p>
<p>Fuzz... I'm glad you're planning now. Here is my advice, though I have not been accepted.</p>
<p>I can't tell you what the lowest possible score should be on your SAT/ACT. My opinion - don't worry about it. Study for them, do your best, even get a little nervous about them; but in the end I think they count for a lot less than people think they do. (On the old SAT which was out of 1600, someone on this forum got into Harvard EA with a 1280).</p>
<p>I see you are interested in business. That's a tough thing to turn into volunteering. You should really do more charitable volunteering instead, like nursing homes, tutoring, day care? Or if you are passionate about an issue try an animal shelter, battered women's shelter, habitat for humanity, food not bombs? What is really important (in my opinion) is showing dedication to a few select things. For me, I have worked on 15 productions in the school theatre and volunteered for presidential campaigns and protested in national protests. I mean yeah, I'm in the honor society and all that sort of thing, but that's not what counts. It's the dedication to a certain activity that actually MEANS something to you that I believe they are looking for.</p>
<p>It may be naive of me but what some others were saying is right. Your life can't be about getting into Harvard, or doing volunteering, or getting a 4.0. You honestly have to have your own personality, goals, and true beliefs. That is what I really think Harvard is looking for, above all. A person behind the piles of numbers we throw at them. Let your person show in the things you do. Let your dedication to certain activities speak for you. (And start now).</p>
<p>I appreciate all the advice. I think I get why the admissions want something more than just numbers, since they see millions of those. And I definately will look at other good colleges, as well. I'm trying to keep an open mind. I already am taking some after school clubs that are pretty enjoyable and get me community service hours. I think I might volunteer for tutoring. But anyways, you guys really have changed my thinking on the subject. That doesn't mean I'm gonna stop trying to the best of my abilities, but I'm going to do more of what I want, rather than what the colleges want. thanks, again.</p>