Am I daydreaming??

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>well, some of my friends are saying they are going to apply for Harvard whether there's any possibility of getting in just for the sake of "not regreting later" And who knows, if they get really lucky a miracle may happen lol.</p>

<p>What does Harvard value the most? I know of course it's academic, but as an ESL student who graduated middle school in another country, I think I have done a pretty decent job and improved really rapidly during my high school year. Please don't laugh at me :-( I know, it's "Harvard." </p>

<p>Here's my grades</p>

<p><em>In my 7th grade, i placed 3rd place in national composition contest</em></p>

<p>-freshmen (transcript from middle school in another country)
Science A
Math A
English A
PE B
ARt A</p>

<p>-freshmen (1st year in America,
just second semester 'cuz i came America in spring)
ESL A
ESL reading A
ESL US HIST A-
9th English A
9th History A
Art A</p>

<p>-sophomore
Algebra 3-4 Honors AA
Geometry AA
Biology AA
WLD HIST AA
Regular ENG Jr. AA
Drama AA</p>

<p>-junior
ENG Sr. A
College Writing B+
Spanish AA
IB MTH Precal AA
Drill Team AA
Chemistry AA
IB HIST Americas BA-</p>

<p>-senior (currently taking)
IB ENG Sr.
AP Calculus BC
IB Chemistry 3-4
IB Biology 3-4
Drill Team
IB 20Cent. HIST
and possibly Learning star at community college</p>

<p>GPA UW 3.87
class ranking 25/480</p>

<hr>

<p>from ESL to the most rigorous program available in the school, it's all done in less than 2and 1/2 years. On SAT math scored almost 800 and reading and writing i'm definitely improved on those since the last time i took them. Im gonna take SAT subject tests as well. I took english classes one year ahead of my grade(Jr ENG in sophomor year, Sr ENG in my junior year) and still got A's.
I'm actively involved in
school play since sophomore year,
drill team since junior year,
math team,
lots of church community service hours,
BBBS volunteering,
National Honor society,
Studnet of the month-4times,
nominated by who's who among America,
key club 10-12,
though lacking a leadership experiences. so, if I sell my rapid improvement and being motivated and having a high potential and all, what do you think about my chance of getting in Harvard?</p>

<ul>
<li>I'm not following the name or anything. i know the best school for me is the one that fits me the most, but JUST wondering. Please leave me some comments!!!</li>
</ul>

2

<p>No offense, but unless you go to a SERIOUSLY competitive school (or you've won a gold medal at IMO) being ranked 25th in your class is TRULY going to hurt you for Harvard.</p>

<p>However, stay optomistic and keep aiming high- just be realistic. (Sorry. I don't mean to sound too harsh.)</p>

3

<p>you should try and get your IB subject grades up...the guys I know from harvard had between 6-7 in their higher level IBs</p>

4

<p>I think you have a very reasonable excuse for your slightly-lower-than-average class rank. You came to a new country and a new school...that'll mess anyone's grades up a little bit. Besides, your grades are actually really good!</p>

<p>Here's what I'd recommend: study really hard this year and bring up those standardized test scores. Have your counselor explain your unique situation in his/her letter. Try to get a couple leadership positions. And, write a fabulous essay about what it was like coming to a new country. You definitely aren't out of the running.</p>

<p>P.S. If you don't mind my asking, what country are you from?</p>

5

<p>It's a good story. I'm not sure if it'll be enough though. I definitely was daydreaming when applying to Harvard. But if you keep your grades up and get good test scores and write a compelling essay, you have as good a shot as anyone. Although I would think very hard about applying to Harvard, but you have a good shot at other good colleges. All I'm saying is that I'm not sure if what you have is enough to admit you.</p>

6

<p>Gorbachev is right, your ec's are a bit lacking especially when it comes to leadership. Don't ever underestimate how important the essays are especially at Harvard.</p>

<p>Whats wrong with daydreaming? The main thing is to have the ambition to dream and the will to work and make those dreams come true.</p>

7

<p>Why didn't you do Honors English grade level instead of regular a year ahead? AP English III is much harder and more prestigious than regular English IV</p>

8

<p>True that. AP English is very hard.</p>

9

<p>thanks evreyone!!!! oh these comments really help me a lot.
i didn't take ENG a year ahead of me intentionally... Since i had two many credits, my counselor kinda pushed me to be a junior in my sophomore year and put me in the Jr. ENG. oh well... it turned out well though. And I'm from Korea, currently living in Seattle. hey, again, THANKS a lot!!!!!!!!!!</p>

10

<p>"No offense, but unless you go to a SERIOUSLY competitive school (or you've won a gold medal at IMO) being ranked 25th in your class is TRULY going to hurt you for Harvard."</p>

<p>Is class rank really that big of a deal? I'm asking because my class rank is the biggest weak point in my app (35-40/270).</p>

11

<p>Ur chances are somewhat limited. I know it's tough to come from another country but Harvard is less senstive about that. But by no means give up. Just apply and if you don't get in don't be too disappointed.</p>

<p>I just have to ask, u got a B in P.E? lolz..</p>