I am applying to Harvard Early Action, which is non binding. First off, am I even allowed to apply to an Early Decision binding program while simultaneously applying to Harvard’s Early Action program?
If I decide to change my application to RD by November 15, how much will it affect my admissions chances? I decided to apply ED to SLO in the first place because my major (Aerospace Engineering) is very impacted and hard to get into. Would I even be admitted RD (or even ED)?
Unweighted GPA: 3.94
Weighted GPA: 4.94
SAT: 1960: Math 730, Reading 580, Writing 650
ACT: 28
AP Scores: 4 on Calculus AB, Statistics, and U.S. History
Enrolled in the hardest classes at my school, taken/taking 12 AP/IB classes
And a side note: I just sent a request on Parchment to send my transcripts to Harvard. However, they will not be received before the November 1 Early Action deadline. Will this be a problem? I emailed my school counselor and asked if she has to attach my transcripts through the Common App, so they will be submitted when I submit my application, but if not will I be forced to apply RD to Harvard?
Are you really serious about aerospace engineering, or are you just another arbitrary “prestige ho”? Harvard is not known for aerospace engineering. That is not where aerospace-related companies will be looking for engineers.
I would major with Mechanical (or General) Engineering from Harvard. I am being recruited at Harvard for NCAA women’s tennis, and why would I pass up an unparalleled learning environment and amazing connections? However, I am not sure if I want to go all the way to Boston (as I’ve lived in California my whole life), and the chances of me getting in are very slim in the first place, hence why I am looking at SLO. This being said, I am sure that I want to go into Engineering (albeit Harvard isn’t known for their engineering college).
Has Harvard done a pre-read on you and given you any indication of a likely letter (from admissions)? This may be a question for your prospective coach. Has your coach requested you send transcripts and SAT/ACT scores a while ago?
Assuming you have asked this same question on the Harvard forum?
You may let your ED application ride at CP SLO as your chances are likely better than regular decision but you know the implications of turning down an ED offer. You can switch to RD if CP SLO is just a back up which it seems to be, but would recommend a third safety school in case neither presented option works out. Good Luck!
I know this isn’t supposed to be a bash Harvard thread, but unparalleled learning environment, Harvard is not, ESPECIALLY for engineering. You’ll be around bright kids, in a cool location, but you’ll be taught largely by TAs in a program that is in the backwater behind most state flagships. If you want to play tennis and be a quant, Harvard is probably a great choice due to the connections. If you want to be a real engineer, Harvard isn’t a very good option.
As for ED, if you apply and get in, you are bound to attend CP.
If you want a realistic idea of your chances, go to the CP ED thread and post all of your information in the format that thread recommends and we can give you an idea. The deal is, if you are recruited to play tennis at CP, you might get a little leeway, basically a MCA adder, if they really want you. I know they do this for some athletes because according to their common data set, they always have a couple of admits who have stats below the absolute minimum thresholds set by the MCA. If you don’t get what I’m saying by MCA, look up “Confused by MCA Score.”