Any Chance Without Foreign Language?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Title says it all. The rest of my credentials are more or less sufficient.</p>

<p>OBJECTIVE</p>

<p>ACT: 33 Composite</p>

<p>SAT II: 740 US History, 800 Biology M, 710 Math I</p>

<p>AP Testing: Biology (5)</p>

<p>GPA (UnW): 3.94</p>

<p>Class Rank: 15/512 (Top 3%)</p>

<p>Senior Coursework: Honors Sociology and AP Psychology, Honors Physics, Honors Human Anatomy, Honors English Composition and AP Literature, Creative Writing
Prospective Major: Biochemistry/Molecular Biology</p>

<p>Misc. Coursework: 3 Years of Fine Arts (Sculpture), No Foreign Language (Save independent study of Latin), 3 Years Mathematics (4th year replaced with a 5th science class, Physics)</p>

<p>Awards: National Merit Commended Student; 6th Place in Biology (State Finals) from Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE); Yale Book Award</p>

<p>SUBJECTIVE</p>

<p>Extra-Curricular: Varsity Scholastic Bowl (2 years), Editor of the School Literature Magazine (Ranked #1 in Illinois), Mathlete (1 year), Student Volunteer Worker</p>

<p>Essays: Common App. essay is a personal reflection; a coming-of-age story of sorts, and the supplement essay is justifying my lack of foreign language by explaining my experiences with art.</p>

<p>Recommendations: Both are glowing. Personal insights from my history teacher (and scholar bowl coach), academic and intellectual compliments from my AP biology teacher.</p>

2

<p>Nothing in an applicant’s high school record is mandatory. The RECOMMENDED course of study in high school for a Harvard applicant allows for exceptions, so that Harvard has its pick of outstanding applicants. Here is a link to a writing from Harvard about the rationale for the various recommended courses for high school preparation: </p>

<p>[Harvard</a> College Admissions Office: Parents Guide](<a href=“http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/parents/college_prep/index.html]Harvard”>http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/parents/college_prep/index.html) </p>

<p>Good luck in your applications.</p>

3

<p>How much self-study in Latin did you do? Any chance you could take the SAT2 in Latin? (Probably a scheduling issue though since as I recall it’s only offered twice a year, and one of those times is June.)</p>

<p>If the rest of your applications is strong enough there is a chance they’ll overlook it, but you have to realize you’ll be up against students that found room for both art and languages in their schedules.</p>