asian female---chances at harvard???

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>ok so i'm an asian female and want to apply to the ivies regular decision. i really want to separate myself from being another typical asian..and bring out my passion for music and helping others. What will Harvard think??</p>

<p>stats</p>

<p>GPA: 4.5 weighted 4.0 unweighted rank: 4/450 (.02 away from 2 ppl tied for 2nd)</p>

<p>Honors/AP taken: (i take the most challenging courseload offered each year by my school)
Honors English 9, 10, 11
Honors world geography, world history
Honors Alg II, Precalc
AP CALC AB
AP PSYCHOLOGY
AP US HISTORY
AP CHEMISTRY
AP PHYSICS</p>

<p>AP courseload next year: stats, econ, spanish, lit, bio, gov, calc bc</p>

<p>ECs
-PIANO---winner of regional, national, international piano comps. also been a guest artist seven times with four orchestras
full scholarship recipient to study music at local Cal STate university..so i've been a part-time student there since beginning of jr year, the minimum age i can apply
-member of my university choir, and my own Piano Trio at the university
-Student Government-Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior Class President
-National Honor Society
-Honors Team in Academic Decathlon
-Mathletes
-Volunteer at local senior home since freshmen year..i also give recitals at various senior homes but don't accept their offers to pay me lol
-tennis (played on team at my racquet club as well as varsity tennis freshmen year but couldn't anymore to focus on piano..still play on the side)</p>

<p>awards/honors
-prizewinner of virginia waring intl piano comp 2007
-Invited to the Oberlin Intl Piano Comp this summer..so we'll see how that goes!
-1st prize in three concerto comps held by stockton symphony, cal state sac symphony, central valley youth symphony
-1st prize and prizewinner in many solo comps held at universities throughout cali...also, national finalist+scholarship recipient of the NY piano comp at manhattan school of music
-6 year scholarship recipient by my city's symphony league
-fourth in regionals in acadeca team and top 4 in regionals in mathletes (do these count since they're team awards and not individual ones?) </p>

<p>Jobs
-Piano Accompanist for local church
-Accompanist for a local high school's musical theater
-Tutor
-Private piano teacher
hoping to get a job during summer</p>

<p>oh...and SAT, which i'm really worried about. it's really hard too because i'm an asian and they expect the 800s, which i don't have. </p>

<p>math: 720 writing: 720 (essay 10) cr: 760
i think i will retake...those scores were all on my second sitting</p>

<p>subject tests: chem from sophomore year: 670 =( i didn't take it seriously
i just took math ii, lit, and history today..pretty confident on history and math and think i got killed by lit. </p>

<p>also taking ACTs next week.</p>

<p>please give me your honest opinions, suggestions, and/or thoughts! feel free to ask any questions!</p>

2

<p>I think you have the "average" shot.
You are an auspicious applicant, but so is the majority of the applicant pool. Make sure you have great essays, and you'll get into at least one great school.</p>

3

<p>P.S. Your piano extracurriculars stand out--> you could write about your love for piano in your applications..that would increase your chances a LOT.</p>

4

<p>yah i'm goin to apply to the harvard-new england conservatory joint program.<br>
also does it help a lot by being freshmen, sophomore, AND junior class president?</p>

5

<p> You are good. Try to boost your SAT scores though. </p>

6

<p>i think sat scores are overrated...you have an amazing ec.</p>

7

<p>I think your SATs are fine. Your music stats are amazing. I think Harvard would be nuts not to take you. Too bad I'm not in admissions there. At schools like Harvard, it really does seem impossible to predict who they'll take and who they won't, but you seem like a strong applicant to me.</p>

8

<p>I think you are in.As far as you do show yourself overall developed with the good talent...you do not need to look nerdy really...I know people who got in with the SAT score way lower than you and who are Asian...I am alos an asian...and I am applying there as a transfer.</p>

9

<p>I do not understad why you are taking ACTs when you have such a good score in SAT..</p>

10

<p>^Her SAT scores are great in general, but for Harvard they're just average, maybe even below. </p>

<p>Anyways, you have a great shot. International piano awards?! Wow.</p>

11

<p>thanks so much guys! well i'm taking ACT because some say it would be less tricky and more straightforward than the SAT. does Harvard prefer one over the other? what if i get a really good ACT score...will it make up for notsogood sat subject tests? (my math II, lit, and us history scores are still pending)</p>

12

<p>Your GPA is great! and just try to bring up SATs. Grades wise, your will probably be considered as highly competitive for Harvard. </p>

<p>I am not sure how your piano stuff will help unless you say that you want to major in music or something. But then again, if you are THAT into music, focus on Julliard, not Harvard. This is with people putting down similar hooks in general. I know that people try to gain extra pts on things like sports, that that's only if they are recuited for the school team. </p>

<p>You should write about your piano experiences, but I wouldn't only concentrate on that. Frankly, it might not help you major at all. If you want to be a doctor, being good at the piano won't save people's lives.</p>

13

<p>being good at piano isn't used to gain experience for my future career, but as a unique skill to help me achieve other things in life. piano and music in general teaches me a totally different type of ability and way of thinking that i can apply to whatever i do. it's just like learning math helps you a way of thinking and problem solving. i'm trying to say that piano could help me in demonstrating that I can handle so many things at once and the intl awards show that I am more about depth and doing something WELL as opposed to just listing pages after pages of ec's i'm average at but not great at.</p>

14

<p>perpetualmotion, I think Harvard would be a fool not to take you, and wish you luck. as a (far inferior) pianist, I would be honored to meet you in cambridge. :)</p>

<p>I would recommend taking the SAT again (don't stress over it, just recognize that it could make your case more compelling if it's 2250-2300), and doing a bit of community service. If "piano" is your angle (and I highly recommend it), think about starting a free piano program for disadvantaged youth, or something like that (giving free classes to elementary schoolchildren would be very impressive... and fulfilling).</p>

<p>The math thing definitely counts, but it isn't nearly as impressive... nonetheless, you should list it to show that you have breadth as well as depth (cover all your bases). </p>

<p>Oh, and breathe a little. You're doing great. :)</p>

15

<p>thanks lackadaisy! should i take the sats again even if i get an extremely good ACT score? like 35/36? this summer i'm going to spend a lot more time in my local senior home, which i regularly volunteer at. the free piano program is intriguing...i'll definitely look into that!</p>

16

<p>I think you have a good but not outstanding chance. Certainly better than average. Your class rank is very high and the SAT scores, even as they are right now, are fine. At this point focus on using your application to convey your personality and your passion for your extracurricular activities.</p>

<p>I was accepted this past year and will be attending in the fall. From my experiences meeting other admits, there really is no formula for getting into Harvard. So, do not stress out thinking you specifically need 800s! You have done great work so far and with a good application you will have a strong chance, and then it is simply a matter of chance. Good luck!</p>

17

<p>Dang... A piano genius. Even Harvard doesn't get much people of your caliber.</p>