Chance me: Deferred from Harvard (DAG NABBIT!!!)

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Did another chance thread, but now I'm doing RD phase.</p>

<p>SO CHANCE A DESPERATE MAN! (I'm not really desperate, but probably bored)</p>

<p>Colleges:
UCI
UCLA
UCSD
UC Berkeley
Cal State San Bernardino (accepted lol)
Stanford
Caltech
Harvard
Yale
Johns Hopkins
Pomona
Harvey Mudd
MIT
Columbia</p>

<p>Objective:
•SAT I (breakdown): Superscore: Composite (2270) 740 CR, 750 M, 780 W; took twice
•SAT II: 800 Math II, 800 Physics, 790 Chem <-----(DANGIT! probably one of those stupid lab procedures some chemistry teachers avoid -___-)
•Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0 Weighted: 4.6
•Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/527
•AP: All 5's: World History (10), European History (10), Chemistry (11), AP Physics C: Mech (11), AP Physics C E&M (11), AP Calc BC (11), AP Calc AB subscore (11), APUSH (11), AP English Lang. (11). All except English Lang. USH, and partially Calc BC were self-studied.
•Senior Year Course Load: AP Environmental Science, AP Biology, AP Spanish Language, AP English Lit., AP Govt./Econ, Yearbook
•Awards:
-Congressional Recognition by Joe Baca for Academic Decathlon
-National AP Scholar with Distinction
-State AP Scholar
-National Merit Commended
-National Achievement Semi-Finalist
-Academic Decathlon: 1st on team 10th-11th grade, few regional awards.
-Questbridge Finalist: (will apply through Regular Decision)
-some awards of Recognition by California Educational Theatre Association</p>

<p>Subjective:
•Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): National English Honors Society 10th-12th (President, 12th, Treasurer 10th)
National Honors Society (Secretary 10th) 10th-12th,
Key Club 9th-12th,
Academic Decathlon (Honors Team, 9th-12th), 9th-12th,
Cross-Country 10th-11th, Theatre 11th-12th (Try out for a few plays get major to minor roles, work backstage on sets),
California Scholarship Federation 10th-12th,
Chess Club 11th-12th,
Chemistry Tutor and local Library tutor (both Volunteer basis),
College Admissions Club (Co-founder, Vice-President; informs students on college admission process)
Student Advisory Board (Co-founder, oversees of Student Body Outreach)
•Job/Work Experience: Nothing yet, but plan on opening tutoring business (problem is, my mother is too stubborn to let me have one >.<)
•Volunteer/Community service: I'd say 300 hours (rough estimate though)
•Summer Activities: PAYS (enrichment program at Pomona College; 2009, 2011) volunteer at Pomona college radio freshman year, research assistant at Pomona College department of molecular biology (worked under actual professor on research concerning yeast genetics and their connection to human genetic diseases). Also, cross-country training and volunteering for NHS over the 11th grade summer. Mostly though, reading on anything free as far as textbooks and certain math subjects. Consider it my informal education
•Essays: good. I feel that they really do express me greatly. Best one was how Jules Verne influenced me into going into the science field.
•Teacher Recommendation: 1 from AP Calc teacher, and my AP Chem teacher, who I talk to on a regular basis. Both I know who will give good recommendations
•Counselor Rec: pretty good. Talk to him everyday.
•Interview: Only did ones for MIT and Harvard, but MIT, in my opinion, was the better one (2 hours! O_O)</p>

<p>Other
•State (if domestic applicant): California
•Country (if international applicant):
•School Type: Public (Can't say about rank, but average SAT is low 1400's and has 11 AP's just as a bigger picture.)
•Ethnicity: African American (Mixed with white and African-American [with traces of Mexican heritage], but I identify myself as African-American)
•Gender: Male
•Income Bracket: <20,000 (Live with mother)
•Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):</p>

<p>URM, First generation
Reflection
•Strengths: zeal for science in my essay, possibly extracurriculars, minority and low socioeconomic status (prefer the latter in college admissions to be honest.)
•Weaknesses: scores are meh, I believe according to Ivy statistics, and possibly lack of focus in EC's. I would have started up science-related clubs, but unfortunately, nobody that I know has signed on board concerning such things. Hope the essay and interview compensate for such things.
And in terms of Harvard deferral, I'd be willing to say that my financial situation seemed too uncertain or maybe a possible error in my application. Either way, will be sending update letter soon with maybe some extra materials to highlight what has happened since then.</p>

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<p>Also, for extracurriculars: Yearbook (12th)</p>

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<p>I would not be surprised if you got in everywhere because you are a great candidate on paper, but what puts you over the top is a first generation, african american, whose mom makes less than 20k a year. That is basically the ideal combination. you could have a 1900 SAT and probably still get into most of those schools, maybe even lower.</p>

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<p>bumping!!!</p>

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<p>how the hell did you not get accepted to harvard… URM with 2270 and 4.0</p>

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<p>So agree with the person above me WHAT THE F
Either you’re trolling or harvard really is that hard to get into.</p>

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<p>How in the world did you get deferred from Harvard? HOW?</p>

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<p>you’re probably in at most of the non-ivies</p>

<p>once again surprised you got deferred from harvard, i hope your not a ■■■■■, but most of your stats seem legitimate so i hope you didn’t lie on any portion of what you posted.</p>

<p>probably expecting multiple ivy acceptances, don’t get let down by harvard i’m sure at least 1 of the ivies will take you</p>

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<p>HOW DID YOU NOT GET ACCEPTED INTO HARVARD?!?!? Whatever, you’ll get into all those schools probably. Don’t even stress about it, bro.</p>

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<p>How did you not get into Harvard…?</p>

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<p>Lol I haven’t seen this in a long while. To be honest, I was surprised myself. I have found out though, that early admissions usually avoid low-income students on the fact that they cannot form a comparable financial package at that time. A sad truth, yes, but that means that it gives regular decision more weight towards my scenario. Either way, I congratulate all who have gotten in so far, and give greater luck to those who are still waiting.</p>

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<p>Harvard has an early action program so you don’t make a decision until May 1st, so it shouldn’t matter.</p>

<p>Anyway, I’m fairly surprised you didn’t get into Harvard. 4.0 GPA + 2270SAT+ URM+Firstgeneration+ STATE AP scholar</p>

<p>UCI: In
UCLA In
UCSD In
UC Berkeley In
Cal State San Bernardino (accepted lol)
Stanford Low Reach
Caltech Mid Reach (Lack of math/science achievements)
Harvard Low Reach
Yale Low-Mid reach
Johns Hopkins Match
Pomona Match
Harvey Mudd Low Reach
MIT Mid Reach (Same as Caltech)
Columbia Match</p>

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<p>pretty sure you arent a state scholar with only 8 5s… state scholars need like 15 or soemething</p>

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<p>yeah that was an error.</p>

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<p>everything else holds though.</p>

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<p>Don’t be discouraged by your Harvard deferral–I was deferred from MIT :)</p>

<p>As long as your essays were above average, you should get into at least one of your reaches. Good luck and stay positive!</p>

<p>Chance me back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1278710-chance-rural-michigan-kid-top-schools.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1278710-chance-rural-michigan-kid-top-schools.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>trollllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll</p>

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<p>I don’t understand why people are claiming that the OP is a ■■■■■ because she got deferred from Harvard…</p>

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<p>im a he!!! XD and no I am not ■■■■■■■■, I was deferred from Harvard. That above was something I accidentally hadn’t noticed when I first posted. </p>

<p>To prove it, here’s what is says in my deferral:</p>

<p>The Committee on Admissions has completed its 2011 Early Action meetings. After careful discussion, we were unable to take a definite action on your application and have deferred making a decision at this time.</p>

<p>We realize that this may come as disappointing news, but please be assured that our evaluation process is not concluded. Your application materials will be reviewed again over the coming months along with candidates who apply during the Regular Action timetable. While it is impossible to predict individual admission decisions, in the past students whose applications were deferred were admitted at various rates, often approximating the rate for Regular Action candidates. Applicants will be notified of the Admissions Committee’s decisions on March 29, 2012.</p>

<p>If you have significant new information for your admissions file, including recent grades, test results, activities, or other achievements, please send them directly to <a href=“mailto:fileroom@fas.harvard.edu”>fileroom@fas.harvard.edu</a> using the subject line “Additions to Applications” by January 20, 2012. Extra letters of recommendation are welcome, but only if they might contribute substantially to your application.</p>

<p>You can find on our website a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding Early Action deferral. As you might imagine, your patience and restraint will be greatly appreciated in case you need to contact our office directly via email or regular mail. </p>

<p>You have our best wishes for a rewarding and productive year.</p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>William R. Fitzsimmons
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid</p>

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<p>This issue that another person commented on was already fixed with Harvard before this came out. The fact that I’ve seen, and I’ll state again: Harvard early action in the past has preferred students from prestigious schools, conspicuous ability, and/or stable incomes while using regular decision usually for impressive, but more diverse candidates. The same goes for Caltech (the effect is worse: early and regular admissions are very score based, so usually diversity recruitment is reserved for those on the waitlist. I’ve talked to people recently, URM with similar stats to mine, who applied to Caltech saying they have been waitlisted but instead have been accepted to MIT, which usually is holistic recruitment throughout.) This fact alone was why Harvard removed early action in the first place: to give other people a fair chance in regular admissions.</p>

<p>I feel as though I will be waitlisted for Caltech for sure to be honest. not to say I’m pessimistic, but I’m looking at past trends to an extent. Keep in mind, though, that deferral/rejection is applicable to anyone, and the applicant does not know the design colleges like Harvard are going for sure; we can only prdict based on past trends such as acceptance results users here post.</p>

<p>Now, on another note…1,000 views. Dang, is this thread getting that popular? LOL.</p>