Bit of a Reach? Asian, graduating in 2010

Colleges & Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>So, as a Chinese male from California, I'm fairly certain that the odds are against me. Chance me.</p>

<p>GPA: 4.4 weighted, 5.0 junior year
9APs + 2 courses at a prestigious local university (USH, French Lang, Stat, Chem, Physics C, BC Calculus, Computer Science, Econ and English + college sophomore physics and math senior year.
5's on all APs except for French, with a 4.
2360 SAT, 231 PSAT, 36 ACT
800s on SATII Chem, Math, USH, 780 on SATII Physics
Member of Student Executive Council senior year</p>

<p>Academic ECs</p>

<p>3 year USAMO qualifier
2nd place team member in a well known national competition in 09. (don't want to be too specific, I like anonymity)
Phys Oly quarterfinalist</p>

<p>Verifiable non-Academic ECs</p>

<p>Still Life Photographer (no awards, unfortunately. decent portfolio though, or so i like to think)
Eagle Scout
3 years of tennis for school team (non-varsity, in a very competitive pool)</p>

<p>Employment
Summer internships at two large high-tech firms in 08 and 09, both full time
Freelance tutor in mathematics and chemistry for 3 years in math, 2 years in chemistry. 1 year teaching a weekly afterschool math course for middle schoolers seeking accelerated study.</p>

<p>Thanks people. Oh, and if you can figure out who I am, send me a pm and I'll kick the anonymity up a notch.</p>

2

<p>You’re okay. Likely reject. You’d have much better chances at Princeton or MIT.</p>

3

<p>

haha I love the way you put it: your okay…but your likely going to get rejected :D</p>

<p>You really don’t have that impressive ECs I have to say.</p>

4

<p>You’re probably right about the EC’s. I gave a highly condensed list of only the most noteworthy ones for the sake of anonymity.</p>

<p>Additional EC’s I forgot to put on the first slide that may or may not make me more unique</p>

<p>Computer and Hardware Repair
MOSP participant
Fire Dancer (staff and poi) - 3 years, tons of fun, no serious burns yet. =)</p>

<p>Since this is an internet forum, I’d rather not post too many identifying achievements. I realize this is a “chance me” post, so if you want a more detailed list, send me a pm.</p>

5

<p>Harvard is always a reach, but despite your seemingly weak ECs (actually, you’re an Eagle Scout; I think many people underestimate the commitment that takes) I actually like your chances because 1) You have some really strong math/science placements (USAMO 3 times…I am very jealous) and 2) You’re extremely academically qualified. Even as an Asian applicant, I think the only thing holding you back is your lack of a hook which means that admission is essentially going to be based on presentation (essays, interview, etc) or the luck of the draw.</p>

6

<p>I suppose the only thing that separates me from the stereotypical Asian-math-male applicant is the fire dancing. Even then, I haven’t performed professionally or published videos, so it’s a pretty weak EC in terms of visibility. Plenty of time spent and many bruises acquired though. =)</p>

7

<p>And sweating (well depending on how much fire you have) :D</p>

8

<p>True, but that’s more due to being afraid of the fire than from the heat. =)</p>

9

<p>You look great - very solid scores, very interesting ECs. I hope/wish Harvard would admit more kids like you.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

10

<p>Thank you Shiloh. Are you attending Harvard right now?</p>

11

<p>I’m a parent. Project angularity if you can and don’t emphasize the scout stuff. Communicate it but don’t essay about it.</p>

<p>Do you consider yourself trilingual? Harvard appears to love that.</p>

12

<p>This is just an opinion - the still life photography could yield a lovely, reflective (but not schmaltzy!!!) literaryish essay. Or obviously the fire dancing. :)</p>

13

<p>While you may consider yourself as a stereotypical Asian, only 500 people in the US qualify for the USAMO every year, and probably only 200 at most are in your grade. And even fewer have qualified beyond one year; the fact that you qualified in 9th grade is remarkable to say the least. I know USAMO is not a hook but I really think it will put you in higher consideration despite your ethnicity.</p>

14

<p>I think MOSP is a pretty big thing. It’s like 30-40 kids in the nation who make it in? Even though most of your application is academic, it’s still very strong. Best of luck.</p>

15

<p>Yeah umm, if you made MOSP I really like your odds at any top school.</p>

16

<p>Yea, you should have mentioned MOP initially (I refuse to call it MOSP). Way bigger of a deal than just USAMO qualification.</p>

17

<p>usamo’s seen as legit. good chance. good luck</p>

18

<p>Don’t think that you can ride into Cambridge by wearing your math credentials on your sleeve. Out of 200 USAMO qualifiers in your class, probably 80-85% are Asian, and you all look alike to the Harvard admissions office. Remember that Harvard has this attitude that they can select those USAMO qualifiers that fit their various other quotas (musicians, CA residents, Asians, newspaper editors, premeds, Boy Scouts, athletes, legacies, etc). </p>

<p>As an Asian, your application will have to first pass muster with the Regional Admissions Rep (distinct ones for Northern and Southern CA), AND then with the Director of Asian-American admissions. That’s two steps where your application can be “coded out” in the system (rejected status) before it reaches the Admissions Committee. This is not true of white applicants, who only encounter one preliminary screening (Regional Admissions Rep.) during the process. And so the percentage of applicants that reaches the committee where the applications get a full 2nd reading is much higher for whites than for Asians.</p>

<p>Good luck to you in your college search!</p>

19

<p>I’m one of <20 3 year qualifiers, 10 of which are asian. AFAIK, i’m the only eagle scout in that group, one of 6 among the USAMO qualifiers my year, and the only fire dancer in the whole 500 of USAMO qualifiers. =)</p>

20

<p>^I apologize if this is too personal of a question, but are you a USAMO winner (not IMO necessarily)?</p>