As an asian applicant, will I sink or swim? (chance thread)

Colleges & Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>SAT I:</p>

<p>Math: 740
Writing: 800
Critical Reading: 750
COMPOSITE: 2290</p>

<p>SAT II:</p>

<p>US History: 760
Math II: 800
Physics: 800
COMPOSITE: 2360</p>

<p>AP Scores: 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5</p>

<p>GPA: 4.8, UW: 4.00
Class rank: 4/490</p>

<p>State: AZ
Gender: F
Race: Asian(Japanese/Korean)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
-Founder and President of Robotics Club (9,10,11,12)
-Vice President of Key Club (10,11,12)
-Gymnastics (9,10,11,12)
-Cheerleading Varsity (9,10,11,12)
-Math and Physics Tutor (9,10,11,12)
-Mu Alpha Theta (9,10,11,12)</p>

<p>Jobs:
I was a video director/filmographer/editor for a couple of months.</p>

<p>Intended Major: Electrical Engineering</p>

<p>Senior year courses: all APs, 11 AP courses total throughout high school, also took Calculus II</p>

<p>Awards: AP scholar with distinction, student of the month, some excellency awards from my school, Varsity Letter for cheerleading</p>

2

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/835055-calculate-your-chances-admission-harvard.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/835055-calculate-your-chances-admission-harvard.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>cgarcia, why are you so mean to me? I understand that you may be trying to inform me with those links, but whatever. Hairflip.</p>

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<p>A chances thread killed my parents.</p>

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<p>I’m so sorry…thanks for the sarcasm.</p>

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<p>I’m not trying to be rude, but there is a wealth of information on this subject and you have to show some initiative and look for it. Any ‘chances’ you get from this forum will be based on insubstantial information and therefore worthless, except perhaps as a false assurance or an opportunity to brag.</p>

<p>The application process for Harvard is detailed in many sources. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/173992-interesting-article-about-harvard-admissions-process-boston-magazine.html?highlight=boston+magazine[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/173992-interesting-article-about-harvard-admissions-process-boston-magazine.html?highlight=boston+magazine&lt;/a&gt; for instance.</p>

7

<p>I must say…that is a fairly intriguing read cgarcia. I wonder if having 3 B+'s, 2 B’s and a B- (or, under my school’s system, 5 B’s and a C) makes me academically unqualified >:(.</p>

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<p>OUTSTANDING stats. SAT IIs, APs, and GPA in particular are amazing.
However, you won’t be the only one to have stats like this. Obviously being Asian doesn’t help. Even a 2400 will not get you in everywhere, esp. the Ivy league. Thats where ECs come in.
Your activities are ok, you have some leadership - the robotics team is good considering electrical engineering interest. Did your team win any awards?
The video director thing is also pretty good - holding down a job, even as simple as grocery story assistant, etc. during the school year (or even the summer) is looked upon quite favorably. A specialized job like yours is even better.
Overall - I’d say apply, because your stats are great, but don’t expect to be accepted at Harvard (well, no one should) because your ECs are a little lacking. Remember, you’re competing against RSI & TASP ppl as well as ISEF, siemens, STS, IMO, IBO, NFL nationals, davidson fellows, etc. winners and more.
You still have essays and recs though, those are pretty important.
I’m assuming you’re applying to many top colleges so you will definitely have success somewhere you like, with amazing stats like yours.
Best of luck!</p>

9

<p>^Thank you. I applied to Harvard, but am not going to bet on an acceptance.</p>

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<p>While being Asian is not a hook it has less of a negative impact than many on CC think. Asians are overrepresented at most of top colleges. The reason so many Asian students are rejected is simply a reflection of the large number of Asian applicants. Please keep in mind at many selective colleges credentials (GPA, SAT scores etc.) is skewed towards the high end. A large percentage of the applicants have GPAs 3.5 and above. It is easy to reject applicants with 2400s due to poor ECs.</p>

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<p>You have a good amount of leadership, but your EC’s don’t show a definitive area of interest. I guess your stats put you in the ballpark.</p>

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<p>You probably heard this all before, but it comes down to your interview, teacher recommendations, and essays. There are many qualified Asians applying to Harvard (though not many are varsity cheerleaders. kudos!). Best of luck.</p>

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<p>your ec’s are a little weak otherwise ok</p>

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<p>Thanks guys. I think my passion came through in my essays according to people’s feedback.</p>

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<p>I agree that your interview, recs, and essays will be the final deciding factor. The two components for which I have concern are “leadership” and “community service”. You technically have “leadership” by title but I am curious how it is described in you recommendations. I think that will be very important. Then, as for “community service”, in your specs you show none. Though I do not believe that ones leadership or community service has to be what everyone is imaging, I do firmly believe that Harvard wants students who better the community that they are in. I also feel like where Harvard is most likely to get a true assessment of these traits is through those recommendations.</p>

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<p>hahaha i love how asians are like frekaing out! :stuck_out_tongue: (jk)
i think ur set, depending on where ur from
btw-do u have any good study tips for ap classes like ap euro?</p>