Advice Needed/Queries

<p>Hi All,
I am Khandige Ananth V. Bhat, a Homeschooler from Bangalore, India. I am Currently doing my A-Levels in Accounts, Sociology, Business Studies, Law, and Economics. I am also Preparing for my SAT-I, which I'll take this December. I plan to apply for entry in Fall '12, for the class of 2016. My grades in my Std. X Final Examinations were Mostly "B"s and "C"s (However I did manage to graduate with First Class Marks). I have Always had a burning desire to Study at Harvard. I have had quite a few queries answered on the FAQ's, however certain Questions have still remained Unanswered. I have Listed them Below.
They are:-</p>

<ol>
<li>What Weight will my A-Levels have in my applications? and Will It give me Advanced Standing?</li>
<li>Are Advanced Placement Courses available in India? if so, then How can I sign up for them?</li>
<li>How Exactly do I deal with Homesickness? </li>
<li>What Kind of an Emotional, Psychological, and Social Support System exactly exists at Harvard for Undergrads?</li>
<li>What Exactly are the Housing, Dining, Health, and Recreational facilities available to Harvard Undergrads?</li>
<li>Will my Tourette's Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Dyslexia, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affect my chances of getting In to Harvard? and Will I be Discriminated against at Harvard because of them?</li>
<li>Are LGBT Students and Hindu Students Discriminated Against at Harvard?</li>
<li>Are there any Hindu Student's Groups and Indian Student's Groups at Harvard?</li>
<li>What exactly are Harvard's Admissions Requirements for Homeschooled International Students? and What is the Profile of the Average Homeschooled Student who Does get Admitted? and What is the Profile of the Average International Student who Gets In?</li>
<li>How exactly do I increase my chances of Getting In?
Any and All Helpful answers to the above mentioned queries will be Most Appreciated, and Most Valued.</li>
</ol>

<p>Yours,
K.A.V.B</p>

<p>Wait so you have a burning desire to study at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Why is that? And what in particular do you like about each of these schools? I mean they are pretty different, so you gotta have something about each that you like if you have a burning desire to study at each of these schools.</p>

<p>Hi copyxmkii,
What I like MOST about Yale are its Residential College System, the Ethics,Politics,Economics Major, its Strong Political Science Department. What I like MOST about Princeton are its Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs Program and its Eating Clubs. What I like MOST about Harvard are its EXCELLENT Academics, its Wiedner Library, its Law School, and its Kennedy School of Government… And what I like MOST about ALL of them is their Need-blind admissions policies towards International Students and their FINANCIAL AID Policies…
I have a burning desire to attend the Big-Three Mainly because of the above-mentioned reasons, and many more, which I can’t possibly list out here.</p>

<p>Oh and By the way, I really can’t decide between the three of them as to which one to attend, So it would be Most nice of you respected elders of the community if you’d help me make that decision too. </p>

<p>Yours,
K.A.V.B</p>

<p>What is an eating club?
And don’t worry too much about making a decision between the three. Once
the results come out that decision will be made or it will be easier. You will either
get into one of the three, two of the three, or none of three. It is very unlikely that you
will get into all three. Also what do you plan to do if you don’t get into any of these schools?
You kinda need a back up plan.</p>

<p>K.A.V.B., I’m sorry that nobody has answered your (very valid) questions. I’ll give them a shot. </p>

<ol>
<li>What Weight will my A-Levels have in my applications? and Will It give me Advanced Standing?</li>
</ol>

<p>Advanced Standing is generally and most easily administered for students with AP classes, but A-Levels can be considered on an individual basis. Should you be admitted, you’ll need your records, and you can bring them to the Advising Programs Office before November for examination. </p>

<ol>
<li>Are Advanced Placement Courses available in India? if so, then How can I sign up for them?</li>
</ol>

<p>AP courses are most likely available in India, as they are offered at most competitive international private high schools. You could enroll in one by attending a high school. As you’re home-schooled, though, your best option would most likely be to study for the examinations yourself. Your A-Level scores should be more than sufficient for the admissions process.</p>

<ol>
<li>How Exactly do I deal with Homesickness? </li>
</ol>

<p>Personal counseling and peer support groups are in rich supply at Harvard. Certain organizations focus exclusively on international students, and will be prepared to help you along the way. There is also an intricate structure of advisors to support you, both staff and students. However, if you feel that your homesickness may be strong enough to impede your progress, you may reconsider moving so far away from home. </p>

<ol>
<li>What Kind of an Emotional, Psychological, and Social Support System exactly exists at Harvard for Undergrads?</li>
</ol>

<p>Much the same as my previous answer: there are many organizations, counselling services and an advisory structure will support you.</p>

<ol>
<li>What Exactly are the Housing, Dining, Health, and Recreational facilities available to Harvard Undergrads?</li>
</ol>

<p>Housing: All freshmen are housed on or in the immediate vicinity of Harvard Yard. The dorms range in age from those built in the 1700s to those built in the 1970s. Financial aid will cover the costs of housing, depending on how much you receive. Rooms are suite-style, but options vary from a one-person suite to one containing as many as six roommates (possibly more).
Dining: Meals and snacks, including a late-night snack, are available to freshmen from Annenberg Hall. The food is pretty typical, as far as buffet American cuisine goes. Special accommodations can be made for religious or dietary reasons. Again, financial aid will cover dining depending on the level of need.
Health: Health insurance must be purchased for any international students. Many services are available on-campus, especially emergency services, and other insurance will cover further services at other hospitals. (There will be co-pays, though.) Financial aid will cover this insurance, once again, based on need.
Recreation: There are numerous student facilities offering opportunities for recreation, from organized sports to exercise to activity classes.</p>

<ol>
<li>Will my Tourette’s Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Dyslexia, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affect my chances of getting In to Harvard? and Will I be Discriminated against at Harvard because of them?</li>
</ol>

<p>Your conditions will not directly influence the admissions process. There is a non-discrimination policy in place. However, if your conditions cause you to fall behind on your schoolwork or underperform in other aspects, then they would have an indirect impact on your situation. That discrimination policy extends to your time as an undergraduate, although freedom from discrimination by other students is not guaranteed.</p>

<ol>
<li>Are LGBT Students and Hindu Students Discriminated Against at Harvard?</li>
</ol>

<p>No. There are LGBT support groups and organizations, and many Hindu students on campus.</p>

<ol>
<li>Are there any Hindu Student’s Groups and Indian Student’s Groups at Harvard?</li>
</ol>

<p>Yes, there are. I’d suggest that you peruse the listing of organizations for those that apply to you. Here’s the link: [Student</a> Organization List Office of Student Life](<a href=“http://osl.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k65178&pageid=icb.page305611]Student”>http://osl.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k65178&pageid=icb.page305611)</p>

<ol>
<li>What exactly are Harvard’s Admissions Requirements for Homeschooled International Students? and What is the Profile of the Average Homeschooled Student who Does get Admitted? and What is the Profile of the Average International Student who Gets In?</li>
</ol>

<p>It is impossible to determine an “average” profile for just about anyone. There are no codified requirements. Have SAT and Subject Test scores above 750 in each category, an A-average, and become involved in your community (as you don’t have the options available to an average high-school student). There are no guarantees for admission. I suggest looking through the stickied Class of 2014 thread for more information, and to get an idea of who got in and why.</p>

<ol>
<li>How exactly do I increase my chances of Getting In?</li>
</ol>

<p>Work hard, study, get involved. Be yourself.</p>