Can INCREDIBLE ECs Make An App?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>My first choice is Harvard (yes, I know, what a cliche)...
I have straight As (4.0) but never took AP classes do to the extensive amount of time spent in my ECs.
My SAT score was okay.
I have really great ECs: one of kind, best in the nation, state team (one of three people on it) have being doing since I was 6, community service aspect, travelled to Malaysia for international conference. I would say what I do but I want unbiased opinions.
Do you think I have a shot at Harvard, or any Ivy League for that matter, without a killer SAT and AP classes?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Buy the book How to be a High School Superstar by CAL Newport. The book will answer your question.</p>

<p>One thing I found out from reading his book is that the answer to your question can be a yes if and only if your gpa and sat scores are in the range even low range of the schools accepted students. So if your talking about a 1800 SAT for a school like an Ivy the answer may be no.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for the help! I will look up the book for sure :)</p>

4

<ol>
<li>We need to know your SAT</li>
<li>We need to know what it is you do, we can’t give objective advice if you just say “I have a really good EC, can I get into Harvard?” We don’t know what “good” means.
Example: Chess team will most likely be a no, if it’s a sport, you have a chance.
Do you do any other ECs?
Honestly, one good EC is not an application, sorry to break it to you.
More information would be nice.</li>
</ol>

5

<p>I believe that GPA and SAT scores are used to reduce the applicant pile down to a manageble amount. Without meeting a minimum score. I doubt that the Essay or EC’s will be considered. BTW - It’s just my opinion I have no proof.</p>

6

<p>My SAT is 2030 (sorry forgot to put it on my original post)</p>

<p>I really don’t want to share what I do because it really requires lots and lots of explanation, but it’s not anything like chess team</p>

7

<p>I’m with sosomenza, they’re not going to even get to ECs if they see below a 1700 SATI. Did you take any SATII tests? Harvard is pretty competitive, most kids have amazing ECs and SAT scores.</p>

8

<p>I didn’t take any subject tests :confused: really, didn’t spend much time on academics in high school do to my ECs</p>

9

<p>If I knew what this EC was I could tell you. If you’re afraid we’ll be biased against it then Harvard admissions officers will most likely not take it seriously.</p>

10

<p>It’s not that let’s just say it’s out there and hard to explain and took two essays and a letter of rec to explain it…</p>

<p>I guess I’ll just hope for the best!</p>

11

<p>Yeah, I’ve heard Ivies like to take the applicant pool, filter with GPA and SAT and then select from among the reduced, yet still large pool.</p>

<p>If your EC’s are as spectacular as you say they are, you’d be in if you could pass those filters.</p>

<p>I’m pretty sure you’ll make it GPA wise, but SAT may be an issue.</p>

12

<p>For Bates/Bowdoin it shouldn’t be a problem, though.</p>