Chance Me for a Bio major(Question regarding a interest in dual concentration)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

I am a typical bio applicant, but my interest in politics has skyrocketed over the last few months. I have always been involved in student government, but I have begun to go door to door to drum up support for Indiana Senator Joe Donnelley’s re-election. I plan to go to Med School for professional school but someday I hope to run for Governor or senator. The majors I would pursue at Harvard would be Phil(or Gov) and Chemical and physical biology. Should I express this interest to dual concentrate somewhere in my application?

Here are my stats:

Applying as a Natural Science Major

South Asian, Male

Location: Southern Indiana

Rank: 1/470

GPA: 4.0(uw) (5.2/6.0 W)

SAT: 1520(800 Math/720 RW)

SAT II: 800 in Math 2, 800 in Bio, Chem pending

ACT: 35(first sitting), retaking in September(More merit money from flagship with a 36)

AP Course Load:

9th:AP Calc(5)

10: AP Comp Sci(5), AP Stat(5), AP Hum Geo(4), AP Bio(5)

11th: AP Chem(5), AP Calc BC(5), AP Lang(4), APUSH(4)

Senior year courseload: IB latin, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Pysch, AP Lit, AP Gov/Econ, Introduction to Engineering and Design

Awards:

Should I send these two in? National merit semifinalist and national ap scholar

Greater Louisville Math League 1st Place in District 2(9,10,11)

IUS Model UN Best Delegate

2x Science Olympiad state medalist + several regional medals

Academic Superbowl 3rd place finish(state)

Several Academic Decathlon Regional awards

USABO Semifinalist

Indiana Junior Academy of Science Outstanding Scientist 4th place finish

University of Evansville Computer Science Competition 1st place(11) (got 2nd 10th grade year)

Extra circulars:

Math team(9-12)(Captain of sorts)

Science Olympiad(9-12)(Captain of sorts)

Internship with local democrat party(12)

Academic Superbowl(10-12)

Academic Decathlon(10-11)

Latin Club(9-12) & Latin club officer(10-11 )

Peer Tutor (9-12)

Student council(9-12) & Vice President of the Student body(11&12)

Member of the community service committee(9-12)

Programming Team (10-12)

Tennis(9-12, Varsity 12th)

Youth Philanthropy Council(11&12)

Summers

after9th: Volunteering at the Kentucky science center

after10th: Volunteering at the local Hospital

after11th: Interning in a Neurospinal Lab

LoR: Biology teacher who also runs all the academic teams listed, save for math team and programming team

Latin teacher who I have had for 4 years and who runs latin club which I am very active in

Counselor who likes me and says I am the one of the best students he has ever advised

Here’s where I’m applying:

EA: IU, Purdue, Harvard

RD: WashU, Vandy, Brown, Stanford, Northwestern, UPenn

Ultimately, I am not too worried where I end up as IU and Purdue are pretty good for premed in terms of access to hospitals and research

2

It’s extracurriculars. Assuming your phone autocorrected :slight_smile:

It isn’t necessary to do double concentration. You can major in a science and volunteer in politics. You can also major in philosophy or government or anything else you choose at the end of sophomore year, and still go to medical school.

If you really need to plan this out now, just look at the requirements for the concentrations you want and see if the double one is possible.

3

I’ve looked into this and adding a phil major doesn’t seem too taxing: 4 credits. @compmom

4

It doesn’t really matter whether you mention this in your application but it’s fine if you do, too.

Try to stay flexible and don’t overplan your life: that can actually interfere with opportunities. Study what interests you and what you are good at.

None of your current career goals (which may change) require a particular major/concentration.

5

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/12/08/nearly-third-students-change-major-within-three-years-math-majors-most

This is why all students apply to Harvard as liberal arts majors, and why Admissions does not recruit by major, or student interest. Harvard (and most colleges really) ask about your “intended major” to see how committed you are to your interests – the idea being that your commitment, energy and drive is a transferrable skill.

6

You have a good shot, but it will mainly come down to essays, recommendations, and your interview. Clearly you’re very smart, but I would want to see evidence of novelty/originality/creativity when it comes to your intellectual ability. Additionally, you’ll want to demonstrate the exceedingly rare combination of brilliance with humility, as well as strength of character.