Another Black Male @ Harvard?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>hi, chances please?</p>

<p>public school
black male
$64,000 income
will ask for financial aid (obviously)</p>

<p>psat: 220 (most likely a National Merit Semifinalist)
SAT: 2030 (cr 690 m 660 wr 680) Definitely Retake in November
SAT II: US Hist 720 (will take math II and something else in Oct.)</p>

<p>w gpa: 4.31
uw gpa: 4.0
class rank: 1/300</p>

<p>AP scores:
US History: 4
Comp. Gov't (self study): 5
Chemistry: 3 (grr)
Comp Sci A (self study): 4
(so...ap scholar w/ Honor right?)</p>

<p>School Vice President
National Honor Society
Volunteer at local animal Shelter
Captain of Academic quiz bowl team
Marching, Jazz, and Concert Band (trumpet for 8 years)
Musical Theater (mostly lead roles)
Vocal Performance (singing is my passion)
Science Olympiad (2nd place medal)
other stuff...</p>

<p>Plan to dual Major in Biochemistry and Psychology w/ a Pre-medicine Track.</p>

2

<p>Definitely a chance, emphasize your passion throughout your application.</p>

3

<p>I think that you'll get in if you bring the SATs 200+ or even 100+. Being Valedictorian + URM is huge imo. However, quite frankly your ECs are below average for Harvard at least to compared to TASP/Intel/etc. people.</p>

<p>G/L</p>

4

<p>^^^</p>

<p>No, he has good ECs for Harvard.</p>

<p>OP:</p>

<p>Just put together a good application. I've already been how to do this in other threads. Look around for a post by saywha where I talk about essays and how to use the additional information section effectively.</p>

5

<p>I wouldn't say your ECs are good, but they're adequate given your class rank and URM status. If you bring up your SAT to 2200 (which you're certainly capable of judging by your PSAT), you will be very, very competitive. Few URMs have scores that high.</p>

6

<p>I want to say that the OP's ECs are a little too . . . . broad, as in, he doesn't really focus on one thing. Sure, singing is his passion, but apparently, he has plenty of other passions. Also, he doesn't have any really major accomplishments that stand out.</p>

7

<p>^^^</p>

<p>If his ECs are adequate, isn't that good? Are you saying that with his ECs he has a good chance of being admitted?</p>

<p>I think we're saying the same thing just using different words. ;)</p>

8

<p>Maybe we're using different words to describe the same thing, but when I say good, I mean something more than just adequate. College students don't spend much time reliving their high school glory days, but of those students whom I've compared notes with, most had more impressive ECs than the OP.</p>

9

<p>I think you have a great chance. You really need to nail your SAT's though. Your EC's are fine</p>

10

<p>yea, my EC's definitely aren't the strongest part of my application. But, I'm not sure whatelse I could do. My school doesn't offer any clubs besides NHS. Also, singing really is my passion, but perhaps I did not do a good enough job of emphasizing said passion in my chance thread.</p>

<p>Also, would including the 3 on chemistry be more of a detriment than a help?</p>

11

<p>Well Harvard will definitely not be impressed by a three if that's what you're asking. But AP scores aren't terribly important for admissions.</p>

12

<p>bump bump...</p>

13

<p>what should I bring my SAT score up to?</p>

14

<p>Above 2100 would be good. Above 2200 and you'd be extremely competitive.</p>

15

<p>Buy some review books and, above all, practice. A lot of questions fit a limited number of molds so just master those molds.</p>

16

<p>bump bump....</p>

17

<p>Very likely you will get in, but you have to wait for Harvard's regular decision. Apply other SCEA schools first, like Stanford which probably doesn't require 3 SAT IIs anymore (double check on this). Your PSAT is very high, so it helps you a lot.</p>

18

<p>I only took the SATs because a 2200 is fine for the schools I want to go to, but my friends who didn't like their SATs took the ACT, and every single one of them was MUCH happier with those scores. It's just something to consider.</p>

19

<p>thanks...</p>

<p>and bump...</p>