Hi everyone I am a rising Senior. I live in Tokyo, Japan, but my passport is USA so I am considered a domestic applicant. However, I go to school in Japan.
So here is my situation. Harvard is my dream school (what a surprise). My uw gpa is a 3.77 (i know it’s really low) and I took 6 APs so far and I’m going to take 5 in my senior year. (I got two 5s and four 4s).
However, my reason for my low gpa is because when I was in the Eight Grade, my mother had forced me to move from an American school to a Tokyo Chinese School (TCS) where the main language there was taught in Japanese/Chinese. I did really bad, I even ranked last place, but then I worked really really hard and got all the way up to third place in my Freshman Year! BUT THEN my mother switched me BACK into the American School in my Sophomore year when my English level was stagnant at a seventh grader’s. I still worked hard and managed to get an ACT score of 34 (retaking it in September).
This whole story ^^ will be explained in my application in much greater detail.
I also have a really strong art portfolio and my ECs are ok I think. ECs: Stand up comedy for 3 years (entered competitions), Leader for an Art therapy volunteer group for 3 years, Working at my mother’s Chinese Tea Cafe, etc. etc.
Do I stand a chance for getting admitted?
Thanks for reading guys. I know my situation is really specific to myself, but comments are appreciated.
Hey Meringue!
If your grades progressively improved over time while in high school in the US, then you definitely have a chance and should apply! Your essays will be very strong because you have an incredible story to tell. Especially earning perfect grades the first semester of senior year will cement just how much of a hard worker you are – you’ve improved so much after having to fluctuate between two different societies, languages, cultures, educational systems, etc. I can’t even imagine what that’s like. The fact that you ranked literally last place and worked your way up to third in Japan, and started with a 7th grade reading level and worked your way up to a 34 on the ACT in the US is unbelievable, even aside from college apps. Seriously, props! It would be a disservice for you to not apply to schools, like Harvard.
I’m not sure how it works, but see if you can submit your freshman year transcript from Japan. I think you need 4 years of a school record to apply to Harvard, and other schools, anyway. That way, they have solid proof of your diligence. Even if you don’t get into Harvard because of the sub-par grades from early years, you’d still make a terrific transfer applicant if you continue to work hard, perhaps even on your extracurricular side.
Your essays and interview will be your forte. Spend lots, and I mean lots, of time on them. There are a good number of students who move between countries, but very rarely have I heard of students becoming toppers at the multiple countries they live in. 3rd in your class and a 34 on the ACT after starting from the bottom in two completely different places. Wow. Most students who’ve lived in the US all their lives can’t come close to a 34. I obviously can’t say for sure that you’ll get in, but on the surface, I think you’d make a great student at Harvard.
Regards,
Member of Harvard '21
Yes, you absolutely have a chance. Your English is good, and you’ve done some pretty interesting things out of school.
Wow. Thank you for such a long and in-depth reply. I really appreciate it!!
I will work really hard in my Senior Year, and on my application essays!
The only feedback I’ve gotten if I would have a chance for Harvard was from my dad, so getting an opinion from a Harvard student really encourages me.
Also congrats on your admittance!!
Thank you for the encouragement, applejuice007!!
You’re most definitely welcome! 
Thank you very much and best of luck! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to DM me.
You have a shot - keep in mind that 19/20 qualified students are rejected, so odds are that you won’t get in, nothing personal - but the good news is that an ACT 34 and a 3.77 with 11 AP you’re qualified for most us schools.
The fact you’re trilingual (Chinese, Japanese, English) in critical languages is very interesting. Make sure to apply to Critical Language Flagships (for Chinese) as well as USC Columbia Honors and a language Cohort.
Obviously you should apply to Middlebruy, Wellesley if a girl, Georgetown, Tufts, Dickinson, American, and Macalester. UMD Honors?