Applying To Harvard - How Good Is My Courseload?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I'm a rather unorthodox homeschooled student applying to Harvard this autumn. How does my courseload hold up? These are my courses:</p>

<p>English:</p>

<p>-English Literature (May '09 - Dec '09, 4 months. Primary textbook: Letts GCSE English & English Literature, + loads of classics (although I read a lot of them before starting my textbook, as I read for fun))</p>

<p>-English Grammar (Dec '08 - Jun '09, 6 months. Primary textbook: Collins Good Writing Guide)</p>

<p>Math:</p>

<p>-Pure Maths, A-level, A (Primary texts: P1-P6, Edexcel)</p>

<p>-Mechanics, A-level, A (Primary texts: M1-M2, Edexcel)</p>

<p>-Statistics, A-level, A (Primary texts: S1 - S2, Edexcel)</p>

<p>^The above took ages, because I did them when I was quite young. I only decided to apply to college last year.</p>

<p>Science:</p>

<p>-Physics, A-level, A (Aug '05 - Jan '08, 29 months. Primary texts: OCR Physics 1 and 2)</p>

<p>-Biology (May '09 - Dec '09, 8 months. Primary text: going through all of Campbell's Biology, International Edition)</p>

<p>-Chemistry (May '09 - Dec '09, 8 months. Primary text: going through all of Zumdahl's Chemistry, International Edition)</p>

<p>Social Studies:</p>

<p>-World History (Dec '08 - Dec'09, 1 year. Primary text: History: The Definitive Visual Guide)</p>

<p>Foreign Language:</p>

<p>-I'm probably doing a Chinese course sometime later this year.</p>

<p>Arts:</p>

<p>-Drawing (Feb '08 - present time. Primary text: Drawing For the Absolute And Utter Beginner).</p>

<p>-Web Design (Jun '09 - Oct '09, 4 months. Primary text: Dreamweaver For Dummies)</p>

<p>Other:</p>

<p>-Computer Programming (Feb '08 - Oct '08, 9 months. Primary text: Python Programming: An Introduction To Computer Science)</p>

<p>-Creative Writing (Sep '08 - present time. Primary text: Writing A Novel)</p>

<p>-How The Universe Works: Open University part-time course (May '05 - Jul '05, 3 months. Primary text: How The Universe Works)</p>

<p>-Introduction To The Human Genome: Open University part-time course (May '05 - Jul '05, 3 months. Primary text: Introduction To The Human Genome).</p>

<p>^I'm taking the SAT Subject Tests in Math II, Lit, World History, Biology, Chemistry, and possibly Chinese near the end of this year. I'm also considering doing classes in Economics or something, to work on my Social Studies, as well as some AP courses next year.</p>

<p>How does my courseload hold up for Harvard? Is there anything in particular I should do more of?</p>

<p>Thanks .</p>

2

<p>besides coursework, do you do any sports? hobbies? volunteer? jobs?</p>

3

<p>You might want to add a US History course, definitely foreign language, and, because you’re homeschooled, be sure you do well on the SAT II’s. </p>

<p>Do you only have a year of English? </p>

<p>Have you taken the SAT?</p>

<p>What are you passionate about? Extracurriculars? </p>

<p>The Harvard website says they suggest: </p>

<p>“the study of English for four years: close and extensive reading of the classics of the world’s literature;
four years of a single foreign language;
the study of history for at least two, and preferably three years: American History, European History, and one additional advanced history course;
the study of mathematics for four years, including the particular topics described;
the study of science for four years: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and preferably one of these at an advanced level;
frequent practice in the writing of expository prose.” </p>

<p>You might want to read this: [Harvard</a> College Admissions § Applying: Preparing for College](<a href=“http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/preparing/index.html]Harvard”>http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/preparing/index.html)</p>

4

<p>I’ve actually been reading novels for more than four years, a lot of which were classics, but I didn’t do it in a structured way - I just read for fun, to be honest. I also went through a lot of “English Comprehension” books, etc., but that was a while back. I’m taking the SAT for the first time this Saturday, and getting around 2200-2300 on test papers. </p>

<p>What are the best books for US History?</p>

<p>Extracurricular-wise: </p>

<p>I’ve been running for 4 years. Initially, I did so at the nearby athletics club (I did a few fun runs and so forth, but didn’t participate in any major competitions), and then I had to run on my own after we moved house.</p>

<p>I’ve been drawing ever since I was little, although I only started going through a proper book a couple of years ago; I’m probably going to send in some supplementary material.</p>

<p>If creative writing counts as an extracurricular as well, I do a lot of it in my spare time. It’s probably the EC I spend the most time on nowadays, as my goal/dream is to get the novel I’m writing published. I may send in some supplementary material.</p>

<p>I’m trying to set up my own online business, which should be up and running by the end of summer at the latest.</p>

<p>I’ve been lifting weights (does this count? :/) since last summer.</p>

<p>I might join a martial arts club this summer (we’re moving house).</p>

<p>With regard to work experience, my mum used to tutor privately, so I’d help her for a few hours on the weekend and she’d pay me for however long I taught for.</p>

<p>Finally, because I know how to program, I’m doing a few small projects (around college-level) in Computer Science, trying a few slightly-innovative things here and there. I’ll probably send in some supplementary research.</p>

5

<p>Definitely the best U.S History book out there: [American</a> History: A Survey Information Center:](<a href=“http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073124923/information_center_view0/]American”>American History: A Survey Information Center:)</p>

<p>Take the AP test and SAT II in U.S History if you can.</p>

6

<p>Thanks ^^. I might do an AP in US History, as I’ll be finishing a lot of my work (Biology, Chemistry, and college applications) at the end of December, and I don’t have much else to learn (science-wise) after then.</p>

7

<p>I don’t know that book, but I had a great experience with The American Pageant. I think it is designed for the AP course. In any case, most students in my class did very well and I personally found it to be a very good textbook.</p>

8

<p>Alan Brinkley’s American History: A Survery is the most widely used book for AP United States History in the country. A Colombia professor, Brinkley goes really in depth into all facets of US History. I highly recommend it.</p>

<p>I’ve never heard of the American Pageant, but I’ll have to check it out. Most of my class got a 5 with Brinkley though…</p>

9

<p>I used the American Pageant in high school. The material was a touch dry, but I read it nonetheless. I got a 5 on the corresponding AP US History exam.</p>

10

<p>if you’re using bailey, be certain to use the ap edition of american pageant (which is used in ap us hist locally in the high schools)</p>

11

<p>OK, I’ll see if I can find a copy.</p>

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<p>academically i feel like you are very sound. however, in a quick glance, i cant really figure out if you have one very strong passion o.O i dunno if it makes sense. if you could let harvard know like I WANT TO BE THIS. AND I LIKE IT. BAM, i feel like theyd be more inclined to select you</p>

<p>soo… reach for me, and if you create the passion, low reach</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice ^^. -returns to my ECs with new motivation-</p>

14

<p>Your course load seems to cover mostly everything. Assuming you are proficient in all of the areas, you should be in good shape. Aside from that, I have very little other information, so I won’t chance you for Harvard.</p>

<p>BTW, you told me in my chance thread that Barron’s book is really good for improving SAT scores. Which book, by Barron’s, were you specifically referring to?</p>

<p>Thanks, and good luck!</p>

15

<p>Thanks :)! I was referring to the Barron’s SAT 2400 book. I used it along with the Official Study Guide and got a 2340 first time (740 CR, 800 Math, 800 Writing) this June.</p>

16

<p>Sweet! I’ll definitely go buy that</p>

17

<p>Don’t use The American Pageant. It was way too wordy. Long sentences with lots of silly similes and weird adjectives.</p>

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<p>Your course loads seems about right, a very well rounded load, with sciences, arts and social sciences in the mix. I would recommend doing your SAT first and see what you get, you would probably do well haha :P. Well one thing you could do is maybe do some volunteer work at an orphanage or old folks home and maybe participate in some sort of team sport as well :slight_smile: With all of this added to your already impressive resume i dont see how you could not get in. Good luck, oh and btw what kind of tutor are you looking for? please PM me thanks.</p>

19

<p>So, did you get into some good schools? 2340 sounds good man.</p>