<p>Hi,
I'm new to the board and a little confused about the US System.<br>
Any help answering a few of my questions is appreciated! My school has never sent people over to Harvard before.
I'm an Australian, currently in grade 11 (i.e. a junior) and I'll be applying early action to harvard this november 2006 for entry 2007.
Harvard, even here down under has an awesome reputation.<br>
I really don't know what it takes to be even considered.</p>
<p>Any feedback would be great, thanks.
Below are my extra-curricular work -
*Represented Australia this year in the International Model UN on the legal committee with team recommendations from our prime minister and leader of the opposition.
*Am Representing Australia in 'Youth Leaders International' 3 year program
*Ranked best female speaker in Sydney, 3rd best speaker overall
*Representative of my council at State Youth Parliament
*Debating and public speaking competitively for 6 years (state rep squad)
*Mooting and mock trial- ranked best advocate and legal experience with senior counsel</p>
<p>academics, I'm ranked in the top 3 at school, and currently captain of english.
* top 1% in the State for creative writing
* top 1% in the State for maths</p>
<p>I will also dance contemporary style with Sydney Dance Company this year. (Currently working with Mango Dance Company)</p>
<p>I have no help over here in Aussie-land - please help! I'd love to do a government major over in Harvard.
Does my location lower my application chance? I don't know if the US is familiar with Australian standards etc?
I'll be taking SAT 1 this October and 3 SAT IIs in November. Is it alright if I send in my EA application before the results of my SAT IIs come out? </p>
<p>Sure you have a chance. Just do as well as you can on the SAT's. You can apply early w/o the scores, as long as they arrive in time for your app to be considered in a timely fashion. Have the Oct. + Nov. scores sent on a "rush" basis if possible.</p>
<p>From what you posted you're in Sydney? Are you doing the HSC or IB? If you're doing the IB then you don't have to worry . If its the hsc, you'd be best to ask your school to explain the HSC system to your colleges.</p>
<p>Being an international will always mean you'll have harder time getting in than domestic applicants. Thats true at any school.</p>
<p>You can send your EA application in before the your SAT results come out. I think Harvards SAT test deadline for EA is the November test date so if you take the test in November then your scores should arrive on time. I'm pretty sure you only have to rush if you didn't name Harvard as a recipient school for your SAT scores in the first place.</p>
<p>Your EC's look pretty decent. If you have a great UAI/IB and you do well on your SATs and you write some pretty amazing essays then you would have a shot. Nobody has a great shot at harvard but its a shot neverless :)</p>
<p>Harvard will understand the Australian system, especially if people from your school have applied in the past. Anyway, your school is supposed to send a school profile report where they explain the curriculum, grading system, etc. so you have nothing to worry about -- it's your school's (i.e. guidance counselor's) responsibility to make sure Harvard is familiar with how your school works.</p>
<p>Also, as others said above, you can take the November SATs and have your scores arrive in time. HOWEVER (sorry to contradict you Byerly) do NOT "rush" your scores. If you rush your scores, they will arrive in paper format (as opposed to electronic format, which is much easier to process). Most universities (incl. Harvard) ask that you do not rush fall SAT scores but rather send the report as "regular" as soon as your scores come out.</p>
<p>What you can do is specify Harvard as a recipient of your official CollegeBoard SAT results when you register for the SATs (it only needs to be done when you register for the November SATs; your October scores will be sent together). If you do this, then it's FREE to send the official score reports. If you've already registered and haven't specified Harvard as a recipient of your scores, then AS SOON AS YOUR NOVEMBER SCORES COME OUT (online) make sure you send them to Harvard. It will cost you money, just so you know.</p>
<p>Hope this makes sense. It's kind of confusing sometimes..... even though you type in your SAT scores on the Common App, Harvard (and all other universities) still require the official score report from the CollegeBoard before they'll review your application.</p>
<p>I think you have a great chance. Your ECs indicate a clear passion and it's obvious you've really thrived in high school :)</p>
<p>Random question but, do you mind saying what school you're at? Just interested to know what sort of schools in Sydney are sending applicants to Harvard...</p>