Chance a Harvard Hopeful for Schools Other than Harvard?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Thought I would make a chance thread since I'm a bit curious...</p>

<p>Currently in 11th Grade</p>

<p>Asian Male</p>

<p>GPA: Unweighted:4.0
Weighted: 5.174</p>

<p>ACT: 32 Composite (Retaking in June and probably next fall)
-31 English and Writing
-28 Math
-34 Reading
-33 Science</p>

<p>SAT: 2060 CR-710 M-720 W-630 (Won't send in these scores)</p>

<p>SAT II: Took Physics and World History yesterday. I will probably have to retake these in the fall so I can take Math II (to apply to MIT).</p>

<p>AP:
Macroecon (5)- Soph Year
Euro, World History, Physics B, Stats- Junior Year
Planned: Bio, Physics C, Chinese, Psych, AB Calc, (Maybe) Chem-Senior Year</p>

<p>Schedule:
11th:
Science Research Independent Study
AP Statistics
Honors Orchestra
AP Euro
College English
Honors Anatomy and Phys
Chinese 3
AP Physics B
Pre-Calc (Online)
US History (Online)
Health (Online)</p>

<p>12th:
AP Physics C
College Humanities
Honors Orchestra
AP Biology
AP Psychology
AP Calc AB
AP Chinese 4
AP Chem</p>

<p>ECs:
-Independent Science Research: 2nd at Regionals, 3rd at State, 4th in Category at INTEL ISEF and received an Air Force Award for 2nd in my category.
-Model Rocket team: 3rd at Midwest Rocket Competition for 4 years, got 2nd place this year. Qualified to go to NASA Student Launch Initiative every year, but only went once (Freshman Year) because of budget constraints. They only gave out 1 award there (the team spirit award), which we won.
-Head of Volunteer Program at the Library where we help the elderly learn computer skills. The program runs once every week for an hour during the school year.
-Science Olympiad: Participated only 1 year (sophomore year) because I couldn't this year because of all my science fair stuff. I got 2nd Place at the State Competition in Ecology Soph year though.
-Qualified to participate in the highly selective NSLI-Y program by the US Department of State for intensive language study in China this summer.
-Chinese Speech Contest: 2nd in Advanced Group at State Competition
-Student Council: Treasurer of class Junior and now elected for Senior year. Active member of Site Based Management Group. Organize community outreach programs.
-Music: State Solo Ensemble many times for violin solos and duets. Top scores every time. Also self-taught piano and entered in class C and B solos which received top scores at regionals, but couldn't advance to state (since the songs were too easy :P)
-Forensics and Debate: Numerous tournament awards. Went to Octofinals at State Debate Soph year.
-Math Team: Captain, but we didn't really win any awards/are successful
-Cross Country: 3 (going to be 4) years. I'm not that good, but I do it just for fun :)</p>

<p>Schools:
-Harvard
-Brown
-U Chicago
-Columbia
-Stanford
-UW Madison
-MIT
-BU
-(Maybe) Yale</p>

<p>I forgot to mention that I worked as a caddy for a year and then worked at a restaurant this year. I was 3rd best caddy out of about 50 of them at the course when I worked (based on golfer's ratings of my performance and the amount of hours I worked). I'm quitting my restaurant job soon to devote my time to teaching violin (I have 2 students right now and I'm hoping to get more).</p>

<p>Obviously, from my username, Harvard is my top choice. I know it's a reach school for everyone, but can you chance me for the other ones on my list? I think one of my biggest weaknesses is my test scores...hopefully I can improve by fall when I retake everything. Thanks for the help!</p>

2

<p>your gpa and course schedule is definitely harvard material. your sats however are way below competitive level for ivies, so you should really work on getting those up. your ecs are good, though you could make them stronger by including a practical application for them in your admissions essay to show how you could benefit the school you are applying to. for example, i see you are taking chinese 4 and won a chinese speech contest, apply this to a possible international relations or economics major.</p>

<p>chance me back please(:</p>

3

<p>I don’t think I’m going to send in my SAT scores, and I’m retaking the ACT next week (we’ll see how it goes). Thanks for the advice with the Chinese stuff. I really like the international stuff, but I’m probably going to go into science. Yet, that’s not to say that science ties in with international affairs. I think scientists have to be very cognizant of the ramifications of their research on society as well.</p>

<p>Does anyone else have any input? I’m particularly interested to see what my chances are at my non-ivy schools. Since I figured that getting into Harvard/Yale would be hard no matter what my qualifications are.</p>

4

<p>ACT is weak, you want at least a 34. Then you are in as good shape as you can get for those schools.</p>

<p>What is your class rank or what do you think is your percentile?</p>

5

<p>LOL Cortana we meet again :D. Ok, so Cortana’s right about the ACT, you would need at least a 34 to be competitive. </p>

<p>So i don’t wanna sound mean, but there are hordes of Asian males with much better ACT scores and more rigorous schedules than you. I know 2 people at my school that got into Harvard, both Chinese Asian females (slightly less competitive) and they took 10-12 APs each and had a 4.0. Furthermore, you winning a Chinese speaking competition will not be as impressive as you may hope. Think about it, a native speaker winning a speaking contest? Its like a white person who grew up with english winning an english competition. Furthermore, you only went up to AP Calc AB, when many asian males going into science go up to Calculus III or at least Calc BC. According to college data, Harvard does not consider Class rank/percentile. Not to be rude, but saying you won state awards in music will not impress them either, for many asian males have played at Carnegie Hall, so it makes your awards sound measly.</p>

<p>Write killer essays and get good recs and you have a good shot. Write your essays about helping the elderly or your science abilities, for you want to major in science. Putting that you were the head of a math team that did not win anything might look bad.</p>

<p>Sources: My mom’s an alumni of Harvard med. and my sister’s going to Harvard undergrad.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the advice! I definitely agree that I need to bump up my ACT scores. 34 or higher is my goal as well (hopefully I can get it when I retake it next week).</p>

<p>Also, answering cortana431, I guess I’m 1st in class, but I think I am tied with several other people.</p>

<p>@kiddo64. I am actually not Chinese, but I do understand where you are coming from. Even being any type of Asian puts me at a disadvantage when it comes to college admissions. Yah, I’m pretty weak when it comes to math (even though I’m Asian), which is why I’m taking Calc AB (Plus our school only offers AB Calc). I really appreciate your comments, and they help give me a realistic perspective when it comes to college admissions.</p>

<p>What do you guys think my chances are to my other schools? I know Harvard is my top choice, but I also really like UChicago, Brown, MIT, and Columbia…are they all basically the same when it comes to how hard it is to be admitted?</p>

<p>If it helps, I am probably going to major in Neuroscience/Cognitive Science and am planning on a minor in Chinese/East Asian Studies.</p>

7

<p>Chicago is probably the easiest top 10 college to get into on your list, although that is changing (13% rate this year). As other people have said, really the only weak spot is your standardized testing.</p>

8

<p>I want to add that I got a 33 on my June ACT that I had taken. I don’t think I’m going to retake because of time + money constraints so that is the score I’m going to send in.</p>

<p>Breakdown:
English:34
Math:30
Reading:33
Science:35
Essay:10</p>

<p>I also got my SAT Subject test scores back. I got a 720 in physics and a 710 in world history. I’m not going to send in World history, but I’m taking math II in the fall next year. I might retake physics as well, but I’m not sure.</p>

<p>Finally, I’m going to apply to Yale next year (in addition to the ones listed above), but not to BU, NYU, and (probably) not Stanford. I still have to visit some schools but I think that my list is pretty solid.</p>

<p>Now that more of my stats are in, can anyone offer some more input? Thanks!</p>

9

<p>Yeah, your scores kill you for everywhere. UW Madison is your only realistic choice. Your list should need some reshaping. Take out a few of the reaches and add some matches. Don’t feel bad, you just are not academically talented enough for these schools. Apply to some more matches and your in good shape. Good Luck :).</p>

10

<p>ImSoAmbitious is right in that you need more safeties. You should definitely apply for your state flagship as another public college in your state. Even if you do get accepted to the schools you are applying to money is still important to consider. Depending on the financial aid you will receive, it may not be financially reasonable to attend these top schools.<br>
However, I would say that you have a chance at all of these schools.</p>

11

<p>Just saying, for Stanford, they require to send in all scores for all standardized tests. Awesome grades and AP scores! Also, your EC’s are great but as others may have been saying, for places like Harvard, the EC’s need to be extraordinary. With great recs and awesome essays, your chance goes up but is still on the lower side of things. Good luck though! and chance me back?</p>

12

<p>We know someone that was a legacy at MIT and got a 33 on his Math section of the ACT - MIT told him that 90% of their applicants have a perfect 36 on Math - he took it over and got a 36 - he got in! I think with a 30 in math your MIT chances are small. You have very impressive stats - why not go to a good public school with a great merit scholarship and save your money to go to one of these schools for grad school!</p>

13

<p>You have very impressive grades and extracurriculars, but you’re right about your testing being your weak point. I think UW Madison and possibly NYU are good matches, but the other colleges on your list should be considered reaches at this point.</p>

14

<p>"why not go to a good public school with a great merit scholarship and save your money to go to one of these schools for grad school! "</p>

<p>His numbers likely wouldn’t get him much merit aid at a good public school. Most of the people that get serious money from those schools have perfect test scores and finished first in their graduating class.</p>

15

<p>I got my AP Scores back today: </p>

<p>5-Physics B
5-Euro History
5-Statistics
4-World History (Self Study)</p>

<p>From what my parents and I have calculated based on their income level, Harvard is actually cheaper than UW Madison…but NYU doesn’t give me as good financial aid, so I am weary of applying there. Yale, Stanford, Brown, Columbia, and UChicago also have great aid programs.</p>

<p>I know my test scores are on the low side, but will these good AP scores make up for it? Math is my weakest point, and I hate the subject (but I liked statistics). I am planning on majoring in Neuroscience/Behavioral Science, which is one of the reasons why I wanted to go to MIT. Yet, if they place such a high emphasis on Math, then I might reconsider submitting an application. I know math is useful in many different fields of study, but do I have to be “amazing” at math to go to MIT or other top schools? </p>

<p>I guess these Ivy League and other top schools are probably reaches for a lot of people, so I somewhat expect a rejection (even though I REALLY hope I don’t get one). I think I might add BU as another “match” school, but I really don’t know about any others that are good and financially feasible at the same time. I think I might go to UW Madison (state school), if I’m not accepted by these other schools. Anyone else have any opinions?</p>

16

<p>-Harvard
-Brown
-U Chicago
-Columbia
-Stanford
-UW Madison
-MIT
-BU
-(Maybe) Yale</p>

<p>This is your list. It is very unrealistic. If you truly want to go to UW Madison, that is probably what will happen if you only apply to these schools. You need MATCHES and SAFETIES. These are all REACHES. All but two of them have acceptance rates less than 20%.</p>

17

<p>The EC’s are average for an Ivy applicant and your scores are still on the lower side of things. I’d reorganize your list a bit.</p>

18

<p>not only are your academic stats good, your ex-cs are phenomenal! i think you have a really good shot. good luck!</p>

19

<p>List is:</p>

<p>Harvard
Yale
UW Madison
U Chicago
Brown
Maybe (MIT)</p>