<p>I just wanted to get some people's thoughts who have experience with this. I'm currently a senior who wants to go to Harvard. I have a 4.0 GPA (on a 4 scale), and I am on track to be valedictorian for my class. I have taken or am currently taking all the AP classes my school offers, and my school does not have IB classes. I have gotten a 4 and a 5 on the two AP tests I have taken (US History and Biology). I have a 32 composite ACT with a 7 on the writing section (which totally sucks). I'm hoping to improve my composite by one or two points and get at least a 9 on the writing. I have yet to receive the scores for my SAT Subject Tests, but I feel like I did relatively well. Additionally, I have significant extracurricular activities, including FBLA, NHS, ten years of piano study, and many others. I have been FBLA president at my school two years in a row, and I placed at the 2011 National Leadership Conference as well as at region and state competitions. I was vice president for NHS last year, and this year I'm president. I have been extremely involved with piano, and I was recently selected as a concerto soloist for a somewhat prestigious concert in my area. More ECs include Boys' State, two years of cross country (varsity letters earned), and completion of a leadership program. I have various awards, ranging from the Energy Solutions Foundation scholarship to over ten student of the year awards in different classes. Even though it's not reflected in my ACT score, I'm quite a decent writer, so I expect to do well on the Common App essay. I'm a white male, and I live in a small town in a western state if that makes any difference. Assuming I can raise my ACT score, and my SAT Subject scores come out high, do I have a reasonable chance of getting into Harvard?</p>
<p>Your application is impressive, although there’s no way to tell whether or not you’ll get into Harvard. No one can tell for sure. It’s all luck - hammer out those essays to perfection, and hope for the best. Good luck!</p>
<p>It’s very hard to say, since Harvard takes into so many variables. The thing I can state is that you have a good chance. Try to up your ACT a little bit, but other than that, I feel that you definitely put in the necessary effort. Needless to say, you might get in even with your ACT score (one of my friends got in with a score lower than 2100 and with a likely letter / is not a recruit athlete). Essays really impact application also, so definitely put your best effort into it. Best of luck! (:</p>
<p>Wow this kid immediately above me is really tooling. (Encountering him on multiple threads.) Get your “ACT above 35”? Seriously? He’s right that you’re low, but 34-36, at the very least, are almost equivalent, and plenty of people do get in with relatively but not absolutely low-ish test scores like yours. (I think you’re above the 25th percentile for accepted Harvard applicants.)</p>
<p>Unless your State is Wyoming or Idaho, it may not make much difference. Harvard is admitting 6% of applicants which is kind of ridiculous odds for anyone to safely predict.</p>
<p>Is the soloist event considered state or national level.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who answered! The concerto concert is mainly just for the southern region of my state. Anyone can audition, but I think everyone this year was from the area.</p>
<p>You definitely have a shot, I received a 31 composite ACT and honestly most Freshman I know didn’t do very well on standardized tests… Harvard barely looks at them at all, and I say that seriously. You have to show you have heart and show why Harvard will be the best fit for you. Don’t listen to those who say testing is imperative. It is considered but not nearly as important as other aspects. I say that seriously; essays, interview, EC’s, your life story.</p>
<p>Essays will be imperative – possibly get a qualified coach who has worked with successful Harvard applicants. Additionally, they must be YOUR work and really dig deep into who you are as a person and what your life ambitions are.</p>
<p>Regardless of if you get in or not, you will get into a fantastic school. Harvard is not a match for many kids. Mine refused to apply. But, he had very good reasons as he is an engineering major and Harvard really does not offer much for him in that respect.</p>
<p>Best of luck and put together a Top 10 list of schools that will make you happy. Then consider yourself successful if you get into any of them. That is what we did and my kid got into 8 out of 10 – we felt as if we had won the lottery. It is very interesting after you get accepted at a bunch of top schools. After you get your acceptance letter, THEY start lobbying you! It was such an unusual feeling after spending so much time trying to get it. Then the tables turn and they begin to compete for you! Get ready for some fun!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice OsakaDad. Realizing it’s a long shot for anyone to get into H, I still really want to go there. But I do have a lot of other schools I’d like to go to also, so either way it’s good.</p>
<p>All of what you said puts you in range for Harvard. But that doesn’t mean much, since the majority of rejected applicants are in range for Harvard too. Work on improving what you have left, i.e. pick good teachers to ask for recs and write a good essay.</p>