<p>Using your race to try to get a leg up. Thats why affirmative action is so messed up and ridiculous. Upper-middle class or wealthy minorities get an unfair advantage over other people who have equally the same stats, merits, and socio-economic backgroud. As a hispanic, I am offended to see you try to use this system to pull you through in the admissions process. And you cannot even speak spanish. However, I dont blame you; your pretty intelligent to try to use every advantage you can to boost you through. However, you shouldnt rely on solely academics (especially online courses) to help you. I have taken as much as you and plan to graduate with 20 tests, and I still have found time to do other things.Therefore, what makes you unique? Are you the average 3.85, 1500 SAT president of student council and key club valedictorian? That is not impressive. Have you had to work to support your family? have you had to deal with being evicted from your apartment? Have you done something remarkable to help individuals in your community? Those are the types of minorities the elite colleges want. Kids that do all they can, academically, as well as community-wise without having much at all. Remember, in the adcom process you compete against people in your own region and im pretty sure you will not stand a chance when compared to much stronger, selfless minority individuals who have done all they can to help not only themselves, but those around them. Oh by the way, random community service doesnt count (40 hours in so and so hospital, 35 in so and so museum).</p>
<p>i failed all my classes and my SAT and got into harvard</p>
<p>I dont think so. Not even if your a Bush.</p>
<p>Leave the Orez out of this, kerry had a lower GPA.</p>
<p>Kerry did have a much higher SAT though (Though still not all that). Point being, they both benefitted heavily from legacy.</p>
<p>after yale he went to some crap college in boston. Not very impresive</p>
<p>well... i'm not really sure what either of these men decades ago that is really all that important now DHA.... this is so not worth arguing. who really cares?</p>
<p>true... haha stupid hurricane I literally have 2 mins left of battery power on my laptop. Best wishes to all... : ( stupid hurricane</p>
<p>DHA<em>10 make no mistake my personal profile will be AWESOME. Upper class...haha not exactly, try again. Anyway, please do not assume that I am trying to get in solely on academics...that is the way to FAIL! I am only worried about academics in the testing realm. You also are assuming that I have only worried about myself...but as President of the National Beta Club I have put our club way back on track into massive tutoring service (because I believe it is such a necessary component of a good student)...the club is all about servicing others in academic ways. I love my community and have put in over 150 hours in tutoring students among other hours. Growing up from inner city NYC (bronx...although I moved later to florida) I completely understand how many kids lacks great opportunities so, in a summer school program, I tried my very best to help take the load off of many teachers and help inner city kids read and learn...making the process enjoyable (they love teens). I saw myself of the past in them and wanted to help! This all contributes (indirectly..there's more to my story) to my application theme of "insatiable" love for learning and perseverance . This will all be presented in my essay. so PLEASE DO NOT SAY that I am stuck up or selfish on your superficial judgement...I have worked hard beyond the academic realm whether it's "all high and mighty" to your standards....saying otherwise is VERY offensive!! Please look more into people DHA</em>10! </p>
<p>Hey just wondering...you say that you have taken the rigor of my classes BUT is your school block schedule where you can only take four AP classes to make up your entire schedule? Many schools in traditional scheduling allow kids to take up to seven APs...so OBVIOUSLY many other students out there will be able to take more than I can. But harvard will look at YOUR SCHOOL's opportunities(as you have mentioned!) and when they see that (because I am literally "voracious" in wanting to learn and discover) I have taken up to an additional year of highschool, via AP courses online, they will love that! Think of it like this...what looks better a school that offers 16 APs courses and allows 7 APs a year to be taken and a student that takes 6 APs OR a school that also offers 16 APs yet only allowing 4 APs a year (top students take 2 a year, mostly junior year on) and a student like me that takes 3 APs in school and 3 online and an Honors class in school? Honestly, block scheduling can be a disadvantage but I strongly think that I have worked hard to compensate for my restricted course of study (only 4 APs/year) by online courses (also with APs not offered at my school)...I still thinkthat is admirable in Harvard's eyes. AM I wrong?</p>
<p>Lastly, people AA is a fact of life! It is inevitable for a person to be curious over the advantages...please stop whining over my curiosity! I am not merely trying to use AA as my only advantage! Not one complains as much when the rich use their millions to get in?</p>
<p>I agree! Another case of right wing mentality vs left wing.</p>
<p>At least the billionares are paying something...</p>
<p>apfreak, your logic is pathetic and your passion is shallow</p>
<p>and what the hell does that mean "At least the billionares are paying something..." ???</p>
<p>people with money should not be the only one's with opportunities in this country. that is not the basis of what this country was founded on.</p>
<p>Hmmm... at least my passion transcends the big green mr. richie...</p>
<p>mr.richie, haha, i wish</p>
<p>billionaires give books and libraries and buildings...</p>
<p>apfreak, what about you? In what way do u contribute to get your sympathy ticket?</p>
<p>Tutoring underpriviledged children in the boston area under there tutoring outreach programs. This will be a contunuing passion! I once was an underpriviledged kid in NYC bronx (not now though although not as priviledged as many applying) and so what better to connect my passion for learning (and promotion of) than tutoring. I connects my past and I am committed to doing this! Wouldn't a hispanic from harvard look awesome tutoring inner city kids! I totally think so! Plus, my mom is a teacher so I have a natural born talent...although I do not want to be a teacher mentoring and tutoring will be a hobbie...and elements of these things are essential for someone aspiring to be in the medical field. Honestly, you said my passion is shallow. Do you still think so...honestly? I need to know! Thinks to back me up for the passion for "insatiable learning and promotion of it" will be: a extra letter of rec from a the assistant principal from the school I tutored, being prez of Beta club which promoted education, having a guidance counselor rec from the Beta club sponsor (she's a guidance counselor too!!! :) ) so it will be VERY VERY personal both about Beta achievements and my academics, and also my essays will focus on my past less lucky life and education and how I have grown through the admiration of my mom's determination to go to college (which led me to where I am at now! cuz back then...um think Cs and Ds in elementary school and sixth grade). Then I will tie that essay with my tutoring experience this summer when I did a whol month of EVERYDAY tutoring at a summer reading camp for those who are behind! (it was not essay waking up everyday at 6am even during the summer). </p>
<p>GUYS what do ya think? Does this really sound sincere? I really hope it does because it is MY PASSION! I will definitely convey this in my interview! I need feedback every one!!!</p>
<p>"Wouldn't a hispanic from harvard look awesome tutoring inner city kids! I think so"</p>
<p>"Plus, my mom is a teacher so I have a natural born talent"</p>
<p>"GUYS what do ya think? Does this really sound sincere? I really hope it does because it is MY PASSION!"</p>
<p>Your view of a passion is so materialistic and shallow. Your post justifies my previous post even more. Seriously, if you were really passionate, you wouldn't talk about how good it looks the way you do. You might get accepted through your latino sympathy vote, but I know a lot of hispanics who should get in before you.</p>
<p>How is it materialitic in any way...it is helping others? WHY do you consider it shallow? Just because I mention it does not mean it is shallow! Like many here at CC, I am really counting all the advantages and personality I can pack into my application! I am just worried that's all... and I believe that what I like doing will help me in the application process...WHY is this soo shallow. Well anyway..in the application it will all be implied...I am not going to say "This is my passion...." "I did this...boy it was hard"..."Look at what I did...can I be accepted please!". As many have said on CC, my app will focus on these aspects and they will see that I love doing what I do! </p>
<p>"I tutor kids to get into Harvard!!!" Man...do you really think that someone will mention this in his application or much less get involved in soooo many of these tutoring activites all for fake? Teacher will support me and that school principal will as well. How can anyone think that someone who was an inner city kid now helping inner city kids is shallow and fake? Perhaps you are just in such a different mindset. </p>
<p>Hey...please explain your reasoning! Perhaps it is just the way I write? I do tend to literally label things on this board. That will not be the case on the app tho~</p>
<p>
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Wouldn't a hispanic from harvard look awesome tutoring inner city kids! I think so
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</p>
<p>Maybe you should check out the Phillips Brooks House Assoc. website: <a href="http://www.pbha.org%5B/url%5D">www.pbha.org</a>
Its Harvard's volunteering org- as the site says "77 program committees, over 1,800 student volunteers, and serving close to 10,000 clients"....and many of those 1,800 student volunteers are Hispanic. So don't count on Harvard dying to have you just because you do volunteering. 1,800 volunteers is larger than a given class at Harvard. Volunteering is very popular. So while in HS, do it because you like to, not because it would "look awesome". Maybe like you said people are just thinking you're shallow because of how you write on this website. But when you ask for our feedback, it seems like you're unsure of your self-proclaimed passion...</p>
<p>Volunteering is the most popular EC at Harvard because most Harvard students are truly passionate about volunteering. They do this for fun, to make a difference in the world, etc. That literally is the type of person that Harvard picks. </p>
<p>You can not count on volunteering to get you into Harvard. In fact, the Hispanic student whom I know who had SAT scores around 1450 was a regular volunteer -- drove miles each week to tutor migrant laborers in English. Had also done very well nationally in an academic EC. Still didn't get into Harvard, though the student did get into another top 10 university.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, APfreak, the competition from New England, particularly Boston, is the fiercest in the country when it comes to applying to Harvard. Yes, you have a chance, but as is the case with virtually everyone regardless of their ethnicity or volunteer work, Harvard is a longshot.</p>
<p>Also, if you write your essay the same way that you write your posts, you'll come across as insincere and superficial. People who are truly passionate about an activity don't tend to ask people if they sound sincere. They let their words and actions speak for themselves.</p>
<p>yay, the stupid hurricane is gone (unfortunately destroying New Orleans as we speak). However, my home still has no power : (. Anyways ApFreak, sorry to come off as strong as I did. I do notice somewhat of a passion, however, it seems targeted directly into getting into Harvard. I too want to get in, I dont blame you, however, you have to learn that it isnt everything in life to go there (something I learned this summer from my dear assistant dean at SSP). Remember, the attitude you take towards this process will be reflected in your application, and these people with years of experience will notice it. </p>
<p>"How can anyone think that someone who was an inner city kid now helping inner city kids is shallow and fake? Perhaps you are just in such a different mindset."</p>
<p>Im an inner-city kid (family <20k a year) who has block scheduling in the toughest school in the state of Florida. I dont complain. And no, I am not in a different midset. Tutoring kids is somewhat above average, however, it isnt impressive. Im not going to bring out my credentials and profesors (please forgive any grammatical mistake I make, Im really tired, this hurricane has keptme busy) and notice I said Professors (cough from Harvard cough) to try to "show you up". Im just letting you know that you are not that unique. Your competition is getting ready and who knows, maybe ill see you next fall : )</p>