Chance a Harvard Hopeful

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I'm sorry if some of this is excessive...I just decided to include everything I could think of so as to get a good idea of what my chances may be. </p>

<p>The Numbers:</p>

<p>GPA (weighted): 4.07
GPA (unweighted): 4.00
Class rank: 1 of ~560</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>ACT: 34 (Will be taking again this Saturday)</p>

<p>This is where things may start to get a little sketchy...</p>

<p>SAT: 2160 (Will retake next fall depending upon June ACT score?)</p>

<p>Critical Reading 770<br>
Math 700<br>
Writing 690</p>

<p>SAT IIs: (Awaiting scores.)</p>

<p>AP:</p>

<p>My school has a block structured schedule, which means that a full year course lasts only a semester. This has made is common practice for students to only test the AP courses that they take in the Spring semester, as this doesn't require you to recall material that was learned 6 months previous to the testing date. As well as that, fall AP courses don't necessarily include AP test preparation. Will the meager quantity of my AP tests and the mediocre quality of the scores (thus far) negatively affect me? </p>

<p>AP Human Geo: 4
AP Chem: (Awaiting score.)</p>

<p>Course load: (AP Classes thus far)</p>

<p>AP Chemistry
AP US History
AP Spanish
AP Human Geography</p>

<p>Senior year class schedule:</p>

<p>AP Government
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Micro & Macro Economics (independent study with a teacher at the school)
AP Psychology
AP Composition and Literature
Anatomy and Physiology</p>

<p>Academic Achievement:</p>

<p>“Principal’s List” Honor Roll (all semesters)<br>
President’s Award for Educational Excellence<br>
National Honor Society<br>
“Social Studies Student of the Year” (11)
National Merit Semi/Finalist? (Projected)</p>

<p>Athletics:</p>

<p>Tennis: 3 year varsity team member
Cross Country: 10th grade (Just JV...nothing really special.)
I now simply run competitively as an individual. Currently training for half-marathons, run races in my state. Is this even worth mentioning on an app? </p>

<p>Athletic Honors:</p>

<p>State Activities Association Academic All State First Team: 9th-1th
Various tournament wins through US Tennis Association
Captain: 12th grade (previously appointed)</p>

<p>Extracurricular:</p>

<p>Debate: Varsity team 9-11,
Debate honors: state qualifier (11), Debate team captain (11-12)
Student Congress (11)
Research internship: I work in an HIV studies lab (microbiology) at the state university. Extensive involvement, possibly starting own project as the summer continues.
Student Think Tank: A group that acts as student representatives to the school board-- I am the only member of the group who is a senior.
National Honor Society (11)
Key Club (11)
Ambassador's Club: Club at my school whose purpose is to provide relief aid to impoverished countries in South America (11)
Spanish club: (10-11)
Music: I've played the flute in my school's most advanced ensemble/class for the past 3 years, but I decided to quit senior year to free up my schedule for classes I was more interested in. Nonetheless:
District Honor Band (9-10)<br>
State University Honor Band (11)<br>
Chamber Music Festival (Highest rating the two years participated) (9-10)
State Bandmasters Association Concert Band Festival "Superior with Distinction"
Trip to China with the school band for an invitational pre-Olympic festival (one of two bands to represent the US)
Spirit Band & Marching Band (10-11)</p>

<p>Work:</p>

<p>Research internship
I also work for an Independent Apple software developer doing coding, etc. </p>

<p>Leadership Positions:</p>

<p>Debate Captain
Tennis Team Captain
President of NHS (Also projected-- have been offered the job for next year.)</p>

<p>Volunteer Involvement:</p>

<p>Key Club (11)
Ambassador's Club
National Honor Society: various volunteer responsibilities
Volunteer at an AIDS clinic
Volunteer at the local hospital
Initiating a volunteer initiative concerning used running shoes and African communities-- still in development.</p>

<p>I realize that my activities are somewhat manifold; I am quite passionate about many things, some of which aren't even on this list. I absolutely love learning-- I have no favorite subject-- and being involved. I thrive best when I am immersed in a myriad of things, hence the mottled list of ECs. </p>

<p>I really appreciate any and all input. I would love some honest opinions. If any more information is needed, please feel free to ask! Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Considering that you will have a higher SAT score in fall, and thus perfect stats I think any school will most gladly accept you. You seem to be universally perfect. However, with all this versatility it might be hard to choose a major or to find your ultimate passion. Have you chosen any career you would like to pursue?</p>

3

<p>I’m getting really quite interested in the field of Biology, and it’s looking more and more like I may potentially be interested in premed. I kind of waiting to see where the research internship goes-- that combined with my time volunteering at the AIDS clinic and the hospital has started to steer me in the direction of a focus of that sort. Who knows, though? I’m really conflicted because I lack focus and direction.</p>

4

<p>btw I would put a word in the app about running training/races if I were you, but don’t make it a huge thing. Just to solidify your athletic competence in their minds. Whether it’s your greatest strength or not, it makes you better-rounded and shows even more your ability to push yourself and take initiative.</p>

5

<p>Thanks, that’s really good advice! I’ll definitely try to work it in…</p>