Am I good enough for Harvard or Yale?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'd like to start by stating I know Harvard and Yale aren't the only great schools that I'd be happy/intellectually satisfied/proud to say I go to. That said, a kid can dream so here we go...</p>

<p>Background: go to public school in NY; ethnicity: white</p>

<p>Grades: GPA ~101 (weighted); ~97-98 unweighted (we don't compute out of 4.0)
-My school doesn't rank but I'm in the top 5 (and in the running for #1 or #2 spot in a class of 285) [I gave an approximation since I don't have my official transcript yet]</p>

<p>Scores: 2230 SAT (730CR, 740M, 760W); 750 SAT II Biology E; 720 SAT II US History [debating either taking SAT Is again or taking SAT II in Literature]
APs: 5 on European History; 5 on English Language; 4 on Chemistry; 4 on US History; 3 on Art History</p>

<p>Activities: Editor-in-Chief and Opinions editor of our award-winning newspaper; Chairperson and facilitator of our Youth Leadership Forum; Sole student representative in the district Social Studies steering committee; Student Council senator; Principal trumpet player in the Wind Ensemble; captain of the Quiz Bowl team; member of Jazz Ensemble, Euro Challenge team, Fed Challenge Team, Principal's Advisory Committee & Technology Committee</p>

<p>Recognition: Two-time national winner (sophomore and junior year) of the Quill & Scroll Award, editorial category; National Merit Scholarship Competition high scorer (at least, semi-finalists not yet announced); George Eastman Young Leaders Award; School social studies award; Bronze medalist in National French Competition 3 years in a row; Semi Finalist in Euro Challenge & Fed Challenge, National Honor Society, Foreign Language Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society</p>

<p>Volunteering: Local Senior Center- volunteer and chief IT consultant; Youth Board member of local Community Chest; volunteer work in school's IT department; recognized for over 30 hours per year by school [our only recognition for community service]</p>

<p>Work Experience: Interning at the largest clearing house on the NYMEX this summer; tested pre-release software for Apple, volunteer columnist for local paper</p>

<p>Recommendations: 1 from Superintendent of Schools [worked together on Youth Leadership]; 1 from English teacher for grades 10 & 11; 1 from Social Studies teacher/chairperson [worked together on curriculum committee as well]</p>

<p>Schedule: As of now, taking AP Stat, Ap Eco, AP Gov, AP French, AP CompSci, AP Literature, and of course, band next year. [Will total 11 APs in total- 2 soph, 3 junior, 6 senior)</p>

<p>I welcome your comments/concerns/criticisms/suggestions... anything that's constructive! Let me know if I'm being realistic or not.</p>

2

<p>It is a crapshoot for everyone, but you look like you have a shot. While your SAT1 is good, it could be better, just like your SAT2s. Personally, I would do the SAT2s just because it can show what your “specialty is”.</p>

3

<p>And if you could chance me back I would appreciate it. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1182045-its-early-but-what-heck-i-will-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1182045-its-early-but-what-heck-i-will-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>Thanks for the quick reply. The real question is, do I focus my energy on test practice, or should I devote my full time and effort to intellectual pursuits that I really love-- an intel project perhaps, my writing, other competitions, etc.</p>

<p>[That wasn’t a loaded question, just food for thought]</p>

5

<p>Depends, What is your intended major? (Unless I read over it)</p>

6

<p>Regardless of your major, do what you love. I know someone who went to Harvard, and wasn’t the super-stellar academic genius. He was smart, but he did what he loved to do, and it showed. I also find it easier to study SAT2 because it is on material I enjoy, so you can do both ^__^. But try the writing and Intel, it looks good and it is something you enjoy!</p>

7

<p>you’ve got a decent chance; but nothing is stellar in your application: that will hurt you. write good essays and you might get in.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1181496-chance-harvard-scea-unc-ea-state.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1181496-chance-harvard-scea-unc-ea-state.html&lt;/a&gt;
chance back!</p>