<p>I have a few questions concerning my competence for Harvard as an undergraduate candidate. As I have been through countless of these college discussions, I am aware of how competitive the program is and what steps I may take to possibly further my competency for admission. I am cautious to the point of even posting this since I am aware of how many comments yield the answers “no chance”, or “try another school” but as an optimist I would like to have your opinions about my candidacy and would truly appreciate any information concerning whether this is worth my time.
I have already been offered assurances to two service academies, but unfortunately Harvard is a completely different monster.
My Stats
SAT: 1380
GPA: Weighted: Somewhere around 6
un-weighted: 3.91
Taking subject tests (Physics, Math II, and Literature)
SPORTS
Captain Varsity Wrestling (4 years)
Captain Varsity Baseball (4 years)
Varsity Cross Country (3 years)
Varsity Swimming (1 year)
CLUBS
JSA-National Best Speaker (2008)
State Best Speakerx5 (2006-2008)
FBLA- 1st place Emerging Business Issues (2008)
Founded Service Club
50 members provides at least a cumulative of 150 community service hours to members every week.
AWARDS
AP Distinguished Scholar
Harvard Book Award
Emory Book Award
Classes
AP Chemistry
AP Literature
AP Physics C
AP Calc BC
AP Macroeconomics
AP Government </p>
<p>I am a hardworker but I did terrible on my SAT's and feel that this is probably what will destroy my candidacy completely. Unless I take it a fourth time, this is how I stand.</p>
<p>Everything looks great although your SAT is about 100 points below the median. Have you been in touch with any of the coaches? They have the leeway to take lower SATs if they can balance them out with some higher ones.</p>
<p>Why is your SAT so low? Take a few courses if you can manage and get it up some. If you are disciplined then u can spend time on your own with the practice tests. What is the breakdown? Are you not a native english speaker? Other than SAT things look OK. Think about taking ACT too if possible - I have heard that some folks do better in ACT.</p>
<p>would you suggest taking a fourth SAT?
and yes, I'm a native English speaker, I just really never placed too much significance on prepping for the SAT. I'll work on my ACT's now I guess. </p>
<p>What do you mean getting in touch with the coaches?</p>
<p>Meaning go to the Harvard atheletic site and figure out the coaches for the sports team u think u do well in. Then send emails to the coaches and see if they will be willing to recruit you.</p>
<p>....sats are at the low end, but your awards and ecs seem to balance them out.
....ap courses are kind of at the tight end as well, as the normal number of ap courses taken from ivy applicants is around 9 or 10.
....gpa is excellent though.
.....maybe not as competitive in the applicant pool but you are diverse all colleges like that.
ivies enjoy receiving those with legacy...or distinction which you have..</p>
<p>1380/1600 obviously. I have lower SAT scores as well. Tip would be find a good hook and really promote that in your application. Find something that is unique to you and would really bring diversity to their school. Harvard receives a ton of valedictorians/sal's with great SAT's but they get rejected because they have nothing that is atypical or unique about them.</p>
<p>well idk...1380/1600 doesn't sound so terribly disasterous if presented properly...that's why i didn't assume it wasn't 1380/240'</p>
<p>I agree w/ disasterous that you can still have a good chance if you can present yourself in a positive light that shows you can do the work, even if you didn't get stellar sat scores.</p>
<p>@madison: you don't have to be so sardonic :P</p>
<p>I would highly doubt anyone considering ivy league schools would have 1380/2400 (you get 600 just for showing up). Unless they have 75 bucks to waste of course. Madison, no need to criticize others about their spelling on a forum... that's it's a forum...</p>
<p>Agree with Post #11. Also, it is an automatic "no chance" for anybody using the word "countless" when "numerous" is the intended meaning.
Post #13: It is a 1380/1600 on the SAT I. A 1380/1600 SAT is a very good score if accomplished on the first try, but not on the third or fourth try when seeking admission to Harvard.
Do you intend to play Division I sports in college? If so, and Harvard needs your athletic ability, then you are likely to be admitted. Also, which service academies are you considering? Did you attend any of the summer leadership seminars/schools for the USAFA, USMA, USNA or for the USCGA? Don't count on the service academies until you pass the DOD physical.</p>
<p>Coldwind-
Welcome to CC. You appear to be a new, albeit prolific poster. Most posters are looking for assistance and feeedback-- and usually a softer, perhaps more diplomatic approach is better received. JMO</p>
<p>jym: The better way to handle your criticism of my post & me would have been via a PM. What have your posts contributed to this thread?
Do you realize the irony of your post #18 in light of the last sentence of your previous post #17? Or the irony of your post #15 in light of your post #18?
Re: Your post #17 stating that the OP's words should not be the focus here---of course they should!!! That is the whole point of starting a thread = the OP's words. Especially so when one is applying to Harvard & misspells the title to his own thread & misuses other words. How do you think the OP's Harvard essays read? Words matter. I agree with Post #11 above.</p>
<p>Enough coldwind-- you too could have gone backchannel. You seem to have a good deal knowledge and information, but if you come in like a bull in a china shop, your knowledge may be overlooked in light of the way it is presented. Post 11 is snarky and seems to make fun of the poster, which isn't necessary. Pointing this out is not unreasonable. The poster's choice of words or spelling shouldnt be the issue here. What then often follow are ad hominem attacks, which are against the TOS. That is all I am saying. Have a nice day.</p>
<p>** As an aside, I was struck by some of the OP's choice of words or phrases, such as "competence for Harvard." Someone politely asked the OP if he/she was a native speaker, as this can sometimes contribute to such word choices. There can be many reasons that a poster writes or spells the way they do.</p>