I’m a Latin American student, I’m currently the best in my school and I scored a 1520 (M:790 ECBR: 730) on the SAT. Will these facts help my admission’s process in universities like Harvard and Princeton? (note: I do know that extracurricular activities and social service has a higher impact than standardized test scores).
It is hard to tell. These are good places to start without a doubt. Absolutely amazing test scores! But you cannot expect to get into Harvard without a good GPA and good extracurriculars. Chance back?
Will your SAT’s help? No, nor will they hurt. Your scores, while very good, are in the expected range for Harvard.
Actually, they don’t have a greater impact. Grades, course rigor, and standardized test scores are the important elements for these schools. EC’s, unless you are a recruited athlete, are simply the icing on the cake.
I don’t think that grades, course rigor and standardized tests are always the most important elements, and have seen a deep commitment to an EC (and talent) be a bigger factor than stats and grades. It depends.
A Latino background is very helpful, actually. With those scores, you probably have a good chance, depending on what else you do with your time.
Hi! I would think of your SAT scores and GPA as a way of getting your foot in the door. What do you do outside of school? Do you have any other passions or interest? What would you write your essays about?
Hello,
Being valedictorian and having those standardized test scores certainly helps a lot! Academically, you are definitely at an advantage. Like others have said, you’ll need to share any major extracurricular achievements for us to get a more full, holistic sense of whether you’re Harvard or Princeton material.
How you display yourself in your essays and interview is also very, very crucial. If there are certain obstacles you have had to overcome or if you have a unique, interesting story to tell, Harvard and Princeton love to hear!
I’m a Harvard Class of 2021 admit, and was accepted into other schools as well. Countless people have helped me, so I’d love to do the same.
Best
I agree with @skieurope, your high school record (grades and rigor) and test scores will be the most important factors in your application. If we just look at the latest available Harvard Common Data Set, close to 80% (or higher) of all matriculates scored higher than 700 for each component of the old SAT (add about 30 points for the new SAT) and 90% scored higher than 30 for the ACT composite. We can safely assume that a disproportionate number of students below those levels were athletic recruits (or students with other super hooks, like high dollar donors) or are incredibly spikey (e.g. published and nationally awarded writer with mediocre math scores).
Where I agree with @compmom is that there will be literally thousands (probably 10-15,000) students with the objective stat’s for roughly 2,000 admissions spots. How Harvard selects from that pool will come down to the subjectives, essays, LoR’s and EC’s (and how those tie together).
I would say though that being the “best” in your school (assume you mean academic record) with a 1500+ SAT score puts you solidly in contention, especially as a URM. It will come down to how you present yourself through your essays, LoR’s and EC’s – will Harvard or Princeton feel that you will make best use of the opportunities that school is going to offer to you and will you be someone who contributes positively back to the school?
Quote of the week!