<p>Hi all,
I'm a junior at a fairly competitive school in soCal. We send like 50 kids to great uc's every year, but probably only 3-4 to HYPSM...no Harvards in the last two years. Do I have a shot? </p>
<p>Ethnicity: Bangladeshi (I'm an immigrant...I moved here before 6th grade)
Gender: Female</p>
<p>GPA: 4.0/4.73
Rank: 1st officially
SAT: 2400
SAT II: Math: 800 Chem: 800 Literature: 760 (I may retake this...I was sick when I took it)
APs: 5's on calc ab, bc, stats, and chem
this year, taking bio, ush, span, physics</p>
<p>Other courses: taking Calc III at prestigious local university. I plan to go forward with taking other advanced classes before graduating.</p>
<p>Local newspaper reporter since 9th grade...dozens of student-related articles published
I really focus on disadvantaged kids in the neighborhood...plus I've gotten two articles in national magazines in my country, as well as larger local newspapers. And I also interviewed Dr. Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and got that published in front page.
Captain, academic decathlon...county champion, etc. I pretty much started this at my school...18 medals.
Captain, math team...local champ (AIME and the regulars). Also ARML, Stanford tournament, MME, and other what-nots. MU Alpha Theta awards (regional).
Only student on the local city council's Human Relations Commission, chosen out of over 4000 students. I organized a variety of contests for elementary school students.
President of school's race-relations committee
CSF, Honor Society (not really seriously involved)
Science Research in Chemistry (I have two regional medals, one prestigious state medal (California State Science Fair), Intel Scholar, regional science awards. One of my research was on nanoparticles, and I found a unique property regarding them that I am submitting to a research journal...in process of publishing. Very interested in chemistry. UNSCO qualifer. I want to major in chemistry, too.
Science Olympiad member...regional awards. Also a leader.
Volunteer for local hospital
I'm applying to RSI this year, if that matters</p>
<p>Thanks. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Yes, I know it hurts that I'm Asian and from California. :(</p>
<p>i don't understand people posting up chances threads for a school like Harvard...i would understand top 20 schools, and maybe even lower ivy's but Harvard...
are we supposed to say you're in, when thousands of applicants that are just as qualified as you get rejected / waitlisted every year,
or are we supposed to say that you are not gonna make it, when you are obviously very qualified and motivated,
or just say u have as much chance as everyone else... but that isnt really chancing at all.
im a senior, so i know about the stress. but this thread is useless, and so is a retake on ur SAT 2 Lit. just keep at it and write a killer essay. i really dont see do anything else to your profile Stats wise and doing anymore EC's will probably kill you</p>
<p>You guys act like Harvard is a stuck-up university where people should only believe their chances of getting in are "random." That just can't be true. Chances clearly increase or decrease with degree of involvement in EC's, grades, etc.
Well anyways, thanks for the input</p>
<p>Just to let you know, I'm a Harvard student. That shouldn't mean anything, but I know that when I was applying, it did, so hopefully you know that I'm being genuine and have been around the block.</p>
<ol>
<li>Your numbers are spectacular, period. Don't retake the Lit Test, please. The concept of that actually gives me physical pain. Save your money, nerves, and time. I'm joking, it doesn't give me physical pain, but you seem like your plate is already so full with all of the stuff that you are doing, and an 800 on the lit test won't make a difference, especially because you got an insane 2400 on the reasoning test.</li>
<li>Your extracurriculars are great too. Although (I don't know you so don't take this as the word of G-d), you could be one of those people that gets in just because you are brilliant. Your academic stuff is kind of insane.</li>
<li>In your essays, make sure the committee knows who you are, why you are unique, special, etc., and make sure they know how you, a brilliant young chemist, will use the myriad resources at Harvard to do amazing things in the future like many of their alumni just happen to do.</li>
</ol>
<p>I don't like to give ultimatums, but I'd like to say with good confidence that you'll get into a great school, maybe even Harvard. You have to just realize that the odds are against you, but in spite of that, you can put your best foot forward and know that you made the most of what you could this far in your life and you will hope to do so in whatever college you attend.</p>
<p>I would say that you have an excellent chance of being accepted to multiple highly selective schools. You could also be rejected or waitlisted at some of them. Make sure you have a good list.</p>
<p>Oh, and hint: For you and others like you, when a person with very high stats, such as 2400 SAT, asks for chances, it's really best to avoid asking such questions as "do I have a shot?" Obviously you have a shot. It's better to just ask what your chances are.</p>
<p>I concur - no need to retake the lit. Your scores are great, your grades are great, your ECs are great. You've probably got a better than average chance of being accepted. But there is no guarantee. You will get into some excellent schools, just can't promise one of them will be Harvard. Write a great essay!</p>
<p>Thank you for your feedback, everyone. I know there's no guarantee for Harvard, but I am particularly interested in getting in because of Harvard's insanely great Chemistry program. Too bad H doesn't do ED anymore...oh well.</p>
<p>dashboard, when the time comes, you need to clearly express that you are interested in Harvard precisely because of the Chem program. Your essays and how you present yourself will be key in your app (obviously all the rest is pretty stellar). I suggest that you also prepare a poster of the research (which you have already have done in one of your presentations (CSSF)), reduce that, and send it with your abstract as a supplement.</p>