Chance a Princeton deferee

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Male
Uncompetitive Catholic High School that will RARELY send someone to a top school (this worries me (average SAT is ~1300-1350 out of 2400))
hooks: first generation to a 4 year institution, in vitro baby?, gay?
ACT: 34 (30 e, 36 m, 35 s, 33 r, 12 essay)
SAT: 2230 (670 reading (eww I know), 800 math, 760 writing (11 essay))
SAT 2s: 800 Math 2, 750 Bio M
Average:100.1406
Rank: 1/176</p>

<p>Senior Schedule (and first semester grades)
IB Biology HL (98)
IB English HL (96)
IB History HL (93)
IB Math Studies SL (105)
IB Economics SL (99)
IB Italian SL (100)
TOK (104)
AP Chemistry (94)
AP Calculus AB (Independent study) (103)</p>

<p>99.41 7th semester average (brought my cumulative down about .2, still ranked #1 on the midyear report though)</p>

<p>Ecs:</p>

<p>Math Club (9,10,11,12)
President (12) (started a math initiative at my school/working with the assistant principal of academics to promote math)
Staff of The Equinox Literary Magazine (10,11,12)
Editor (11)
Senior Editor (12)
Member of Student Council (10,11,12)
Social Chairperson (12) ---> Co-President (Co-Presidents were impeached)
Member of Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Committees (10,11,12)
MSG The Challenge Academic Quiz Team (12)
Member of The National Honor Society (11,12)
Member of School Bowling League (12)
Team Captain (12)
Freshman Mentor (12)
Member of DECA (12)
Director of Communications (12)</p>

<p>Most clubs/activities just started, so that's why they're so sporadic</p>

<p>Volunteer at St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen (9, 10, 11, 12)
St. Vincent De Paul Summer Outreach (11)
Lector at Church (9,10,11)
Babysitter/ tutor of my 9-year-old cousin (9,10,11,12)</p>

<p>Cornell University Summer College (11)
“The Business World”
Internship with Senator (11)
Religious Instruction Teacher/Catechist (12) (5th graders)
Emmaus Retreat Program (11)</p>

<p>Awards:
Honorable mention for Italian heritage national essay contest
3rd place National scholastic contest for literary magazine
Bowling - High game (253), High series (608), High average (174), First place team, etc. in league (it isn't an overly competitive league)
Highest SAT in my school's history, Highest ACT in my school's history, First 800 math/800 subject math/36 math, first independent study ever, (my gc noted all of this in a note attached to the midyear report)
3/4 merit scholarship for my school
IB Diploma candidate?</p>

<p>recommendations: from Senator (great), from Professor at Cornell Summer College (great!), Assistant Principal of Academics (excellent), Math Department Coordinator (excellent), counselor (she spent 1.5 whole days on it)</p>

<p>common app essay: good enough to be deferred by Princeton, but not amazing...
supplement: I'm pretty sure it's the reason why I wasn't outright rejected by Princeton (I used the same essay)</p>

<p>In the process of constructing an interesting fish tank (I don't want to reveal details, but I spoke with the alumni about it at the interview, and they were thoroughly impressed) </p>

<p>I applied as a math major ~</p>

<p>I know it's Harvard and all, but are my chances above/below/average? I'd just like to know =)</p>

2

<p>come on y’all~</p>

3

<p>The fact that your school doesn’t send many to top colleges is a positive – Harvard likes to find “diamonds in the rough.”</p>

<p>Your numbers, extracurrics, etc. are certainly good enough to get a look by the admissions office. From there it turns on the more holistic factors – through your essay, interview, recs., etc. do you seem like an interesting, thoughtful person? You are obviously strong in math, but have you done any particular research project, looked to take a math class at a local university, things like that – Harvard gets (and rejects) a lot of 800 math applicants.</p>

<p>Curious about your listing “gay” as a plus factor – does it factor into your essays or story more generally? Sexual orientation, in and of itself, is not really taken into consideration unless it’s part of your story.</p>

4

<p>Well, my supplemental (optional) essay has a lot to do with it; I feel like it’s the best essay I’ve ever written in my life ~ conveys who I am as a person quite a bit ~</p>

<p>Moreover, I tried taking a college class but my local CC wouldn’t let me take anything because I didn’t have “my GED or High School Diploma.” </p>

<p>Harvard actually took someone from my school in 2008; the valedictorian had a similar GPA (less class rigor), lower SAT (2080), but was hispanic…that’s what set her apart…I don’t think I have much that sets me apart…that’s why I’m concerned…add to that a 670 critical reading and I thought my shot at Harvard was extremely extremely slim…but the fact that you said my objectives seem to be good, I feel slightly reassured. In addition, my interview went quite well - I had it at the Harvard club and my interviewers said that I was a breath of fresh air…which is good I guess…my recommendations are very strong ~ the one from the religious education coordinator talked about my leadership when the person I was helping passed away, and how I’ve affected the students, etc.</p>