<p>I go to a competitive public high school in Pennsylvania and I will be a junior this upcoming school year. I have gotten all A's and my GPA is 95.78 (unweighted) taking honors classes. I have been on the varsity track team for two years now and want to run in college. My biggest problem at this point is that I haven't participated in many extracurricular activities other than running. I would love to go to a great school such as Harvard and I am looking for advice to what I should be doing in the next year or so to ensure the best chance of getting accepted to a competitive college as possible.</p>
<p>When you say that haven’t participated in “many” activities, what exactly do you mean? Most Harvard acceptees have demonstrated a clear desire to be involved outside of class. Also, have you looked into the SAT/ACT/Subject Tests yet?</p>
<p>I spend a lot of time playing sports, I have done some volunteer work, and I work about 30 hours a week in the summer. Also, my school offers a course on the SAT and I am planning on taking the SAT in the fall. I love history, and I am taking AP US History (so I think I will take US history as one of my subject tests) I haven’t yet decided what other subject tests I want to take.</p>
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<p>You should know that Harvard requires two Subject Tests, so you’ll only need to take one other test.</p>
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<p>Do you have any leadership positions? Although quality is of course superior to mere quantity, your EC’s seem rather sparse. </p>
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<p>I generally recommend avoiding SAT preparatory courses, especially those that are offered by high schools. Not to sound as though I am plugging anything for my own benefit, but I have posted a guide on CC for the SAT, if you would like to check that out. It is stickied on the SAT Preparation forum.</p>
<p>Are you good enough to get recruited?</p>
<p>Trackgirl- I’m assuming you run the 800 by your screen name. You should look through the 800m results, and rosters, for women’s track at the athletics website for Harvard: gocrimson, to determine what times you will need to be a desirable recruit. </p>
<p>If your times are competitive, then start comparing your SAT/ACT with H’s mid 50th percentile. As noted above, two SAT IIs are required as well. </p>
<p>You can google Academic Index to plug in your numbers and have an idea of your qualifications.</p>
<p>You can also bring your questions about Ivy league track recruitment onto the Athletic Recruit section of Specialty Admissions here on CC, under College Admissions. You’ll plenty of great advice on the whole recruiting process.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! Now I have a better idea of what I need to do to potentially get recruited.</p>