<p>Would these academic credentials be enough to admit a hispanic, regardless of significant ECs, considering essays are average?</p>
<p>5s on 7 AP exams, 2250 SAT, 3rd in class, national merit semi, national hispanic</p>
<p>oh and eagle scout is best EC</p>
<p>Not necessarily. There are simply so many academically outstanding people applying to Harvard that it would be very difficult to get in based on those statistics alone.</p>
<p>Your stats are good enough to be considered. However, there are many qualified Hispanics from CA, AZ, CO, FL, NY, NJ, etc. so the competition is still stiff. (Same stats for Native-American or Afr-American would be a much more likely accept.)</p>
<p>But if you have some outstanding qualities, recs, and ECs that Harvard likes, you could get lucky. Good luck!</p>
<p>Lock at Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, Penn, and Cornell–and at Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore, etc.</p>
<p>Competitive for admission to HYPS.</p>
<p>I believe Eagle Scout is impressive- adcoms know the work and time it takes. It’s a committment that is recognized.
Why would you readily settle for “average essays?” That could be the major block. Stats reflect your performance per “the system.” Essays are a chance to show the “you” behind the numbers.</p>
<p>I think you have pretty good chances, but Harvard is still a VERY hard school to get into. I suggest you work really hard on those essays to stand out. Essays would be key in differing you and other Hispanics applying to Harvard.</p>
<p>Does the fact that I’m hispanic improve my chances?</p>
<p>Would I have a significant advantage over an Asian with similar stats?</p>
<p>Yes, being Hispanic will help you get a foot over the Asian who applies with similar stats (I guarantee you there will be one). Chances are, it’ll also help you get over an Asian with slightly better stats…</p>
<p>Hehe I feel like a cheater…winning over Asians b/c of race. Mwhahahhaa</p>
<p>^ As long as your not an upper-middle class or upper class Hispanic taking an opportunity away from a working class Asian applicant from below the poverty line.</p>
<p>You may been seen as a highly qualified applicant, regardless of ethnic background. Then, they look for signals you are a good fit beyond academics- what challenges you overcame, what your triumphs are beyond stats, who you seem to be, etc. Some other URM who mentors, volunteers, plays a sport, writes a better essay, is in a few right-fit clubs and plays routine leadership roles- could be viewed as a better fit. You’ve left out the ECs, so we have no idea. At your level, being Hispanic may not overcome a situation in which you are stats and Eagle only. And offer an average essay.</p>
<p>Would an Asian with similar stats with amazing essay & passion for programming be above me? He has 4 yrs track and XC and got school winner for AMC 10, 4th in class, 4s on 6 APs and 5 on 1…</p>
<p>^ As a human being, perhaps, but not as an applicant.</p>
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<p>Quoted for truth. No offense, but it seems like the OP is gloating over the advantage his/her race gives him/her…</p>
<p>A poor essay is the strong wind that can blow down the tall tree, grasshoppper.</p>