<p>Okay, my dream is a very, very high one...<br>
I know that it doesn't matter a lot whether I go to an Ivy League school or not, but since I was very young, my heart has been set on HARVARD for some reason (I still don't exactly know why - my mom told me that I had the dream since kindergarten). I am willing to do anything to get in, but I am in need of some suggestions...</p>
<p>I live in California, and I attend a public school. I am a sophomore, and I am already taking the most rigorous classes I can take for my grade (advanced math, honors, etc.). I got straight A's in freshmen year, which I will continue to try to do so. My interests are in MUSIC, ART, SCIENCE (preferably biology and chemistry). I will take PSAT this year, and SAT next year. </p>
<p>So my question is, in order to get a pretty good chance for Harvard, what kind of activities should I do? I'm already studying to try out for Science Olympiad team, and I'm in orchestras both inside and outside of school. I got an Award of Merit in State Art Competition, and I am planning to be in National Honor Society.</p>
<p>Any other ideas?
I'll be greatful for any :D</p>
<p>Relax, there is not a particular kind of activity you should do. What you’re doing now is fine–as long as you really love what you do. </p>
<p>If you are doing it just for the sake of getting in, you have to reconsider your priorities. First, figure out that “some reason” you love the school, because if your dream since kindergarten seems to be because of the name, you probably are overlooking your actual focus. There are so many great schools out there, but you have to figure out what solidly (not superficially) draws you to the schools. For each school, it is something different. </p>
<p>Quantity is not as important as quality. My advice now is to continue to get into your passion in the sciences and arts because they are your interests and not someone else’s or rather, for something else. Again, there is no one ideal activity or interest because Harvard, as other schools, have students with an incredibly wide range of interests. Each person is different. </p>
<p>Even though it is a bit to early to tell (you are just starting sophomore year?), I think you have a fair chance at Harvard. I hope this advice helped. Good luck:)</p>
<p>Really, don’t try to fit some mold that you think will get you in. The road to rejection is littered with insincere ECs. Just be yourself, but be the best possible version of yourself. Do this, and whether or not you end up at Harvard will be of little consequence.</p>
<p>Being pretty good at Music, Art and Science will help less than being extraordinary in one of them. Harvard gets thousands of applications from people who are solid across the board – you need to stand out in some way among a super-talented pool. Ideally, you find an area where you have high passion and high talent that aligns with some activity or academic area at Harvard so that you can link with a prof or a coach who will support you. Being competitive at the national level, or among the best in your state, will help.</p>
<p>It’s a little early, but as you get closer to senior year, plan an aggressive campaign with multiple “touches” with Harvard admissions. If you can, plan a Fall visit and set up an admissions interview (you have to ask – H doesn’t advertise). Give them more than they ask for on the common app. Identify your regional representative, and build a relationship with her/him. H is a very tough ticket, and there are no guarantees, but you’ll want to do all you can to move the odds in your favor. Finally, remember that there are a lot of wonderful colleges and it might even turn out that one of them is better for you than Harvard.</p>
<p>I agree with other posters who advise you to relax and be yourself, not try to fit a mold just to get in.</p>
<p>I just want to add that you might also want to look into a lot of other good schools. There are some good books out there, such as Pop’s “Colleges that Change Lives,” "Beyond the Ivies, “Cool Colleges,” “Creative Colleges” and a lot of others. Try not to be so fixed on one school. Harvard is great, but it is just a school. Make sure you find others you would like too, and don’t rely on a dream formed when you were 5. Lots of kids do, but it does create a goal that is more based on getting in than on what you would do once there.</p>