<p>To be honest, I think that, with those stats, you are probably going to be deferred.
The reason is:
•You are part of an over-represented minority
•No special extracurriculars/Community service/Work experience
•No IB (and since you did not state anything I guess no AP either)
•Mediocre SAT I
However, you will be kept “afloat” by:
•Your gold medal at the IPO
•Your SAT II
So, unless you have STELLAR essays and MIND-BLOWING recommendations, you will either be deferred (most probable) or rejected (not so likely)</p>
<p>The fact is that my school doesn’t offer any AP or IB And I’m from a country whose people rarely have SAT I score over 2300.
Of course I know I have really small chance. Just want to know how can I improve my application. Don’t be so serious :D</p>
<p>actually I have some simple ECs, like operating a small physics club at my school or recycling used paper, just 6 over 10 on commonapp. a IPho participant doesn’t have much time for ECs, you know I don’t have something like: “working with an organization that helps disabled children play baseball for 4 years” or “science camp” :D</p>
<p>BestofTheBest I don’t think this is a ■■■■■. The weak SAT is solely due to the CR and Writing sections; OP’s great math score reflects his SAT IIs and IPhO performance.</p>
<p>As a domestic applicant, you would have had a decent chance. I would have predicted deferred->accepted.</p>
<p>But as an international, you are competing with a pool of applicants who have amazing SATs, ECs, and essays AND have the national/international level awards you do. You have a chance, but don’t be disappointed if you get rejected; you’re competing with the best of the best.</p>
<p>I think Harvard is a bigtime reach for you my friend. You have one ridiculously fantastic award, but most applicants to Harvard have many high quality ECs, awards, volunteer work, etc etc. On top of that, your SAT is really quite low for the school. I’m afraid Harvard will see you as a one-dimensional student (which you are literally the definition of). </p>
<p>I honestly don’t know how to put this gently, but you’re gonna have an incredibly hard time getting in. There doesn’t seem to be any depth beyond academics. Yes you’ve won one big impressive award, but it’s only one and it makes you seem too narrow-pathed, especially since it’s Academic and not something Humanitarian or Social or in that vein. Also your SAT IIs seem tailored to your strengths, Physics and Math (which really is quite connected to Physics) which to Harvard can seem like you’re focused only on what you’re good because you’re afraid of not doing extremely well/you’re mark obsessed. I’d recommend studying and taking SAT IIs in other areas as well as getting more ECs to make you seem like a very diverse candidate. After that, I think the combination of diversity and your impressive award you’d be a very good candidate.</p>
<p>Thanks you guy a lot! I will just be waiting and trying to make some other efforts you see, I don’t know much about the admission in the US, so I think I will not chance you by giving some misleading speculation. Wish you best luck!</p>
<p>and btw I have found some information about "Over-represented minority"s, which are Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, and Korean Americans. If these are all the ORMs, I’m sure that I’m not one of them :D</p>
<p>Your SAT Is are OK and your SAT Iis are stellar. i can only dream of getting an 800 on the physics subject test. That is incredible. The problem is your ECs. harvard is a reach for anyone and the fact that you have no ECs is a major thumbs down. Many kids have test scores above that and stellar GPAs and participate in a million clubs and activities. Good grades are one thing but a school like Harvard really looks at a student holistically and how they can fit into their program. Judging by what you presented, you are simply a statistic with a great essay. I wish you the best of luck though.</p>
And I’m from a country whose people rarely have SAT I score over 2300.
I still have a chance :)</p>