Chance me for Harvard 2022

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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Hey guys! I am a junior interested in applying SCEA for the Harvard class of 2022. Do you think I have a chance? If I do not, I will not bother applying. :)) Thanks everyone!

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Took the new SAT in March. Feel confident. (1500+)

ACT (breakdown): 35 C (35E,34M,35R,34S,8W)

SAT II: Planning to take Biology E and Math 2 (Are these required for Harvard?)

Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.5
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 9 / 413

AP (place score in parenthesis):
AP Human Geo (5)
AP Microeconomics (5)
AP Environmental Science (5)

Currently taking:
AP Biology
AP US History
AP Calculus AB
AP English Lit
AP English Lang
AP Psychology

Senior Year Course Load:
AP Calc BC
AP US Govt
AP Comp Govt
AP Art History
AP Spanish Language
AP Chemistry
Dual Enrollment English Comp
Biotechnology 4

Major Awards (description):

2017 Sea World Environmental Excellence Award (one of 12 young environmentalists selected in the U.S. for distinguished work in the field of conservation and environmental protection… $1000 scholarship)
President’s Environmental Youth Award (recognizes 20 students in the U.S. for their environmental service projects. Honored at the white house.)
2017 International Young Eco Hero Award (Action for Nature recognizes young environmental activists and their work to protect the environment. One out of 15 students selected in the world. $500 scholarship)
2017 County Sunshine State Scholar (selected as the top STEM student in the county)
2017 Northrup Grumman Award for Environmental Research

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (description in parentheses):

Note: I am going to put ALL of my extracurriculars here, but on the common app I will only choose the ones that mean a lot to me and show my passion. (i.e. environmental work, wildlife, government stuff)

Guana River Environmental Education Center (I lead nature walks, public tours, and youth outreach programs. I also do species monitoring, research, and habitat restoration among other things… A combination of environmental education and research. (Too many hours to count)

Environmental Youth Council (I organize rallies, events, and marches to raise awareness for environmental issues. In 2016 I served on the board that coordinated a community march that rallied in front of the mayor’s office to demand action against climate change.

Solar Energy Project (I am the founder and president of the Solar Energy Project, a student organization that raised $3,500 to purchase solar panels for the school’s courtyard lights. We also went to local elementary schools to teach students about the importance and benefits of renewable energy)

2017 Community Tree Planting (I am currently organizing an Earth Day Tree Planting event in my community, aimed at educating youths of the importance of trees)

2017 Florida American Legion Boys State (Premier government education program in Florida. Will attend the state capital and gain skills in debate, leadership, and running for office. Planning to run for the position of Commissioner of the Environment and Conservation.)

Zoological Park (I am a part of the Zoological Park Wildlife Outreach Program. We visit public events and schools to present exotic wildlife while raising awareness for endangered species and conservation efforts.)

Biotechnology Club (Treasurer in Junior year, President in Senior year. As a club, we perform fun, educational experiments and visit local elementary and middle schools to teach girls about STEM careers.)

Environmental Club (Secretary junior year, President senior year. Led an organic garden project and installed hydroponics towers to grow produce with minimal environmental impact. Very cool. Look them up!)

Young Democrats

Science Bowl / HighQ Academic Competition Team

Science Fair Research (In my junior year I completed a research project at the GTM research reserve examining the effects of mangrove habitat expansion on aboveground biomass and carbon storage. Won a small handful of awards and placed 2nd in the Plant, Animal, Environmental, and Behavioral Category at the district fair. In my senior year, I plant to complete another research project with oil consuming mircrobes in the hopes of placing at the state science fair.)

Job/Work Experience:
I work at a local grocery store on weekends. (nothing special)
I am also an environmental columnist for the Florida Sierra Club Conservation Magazine.

I attended a few environmental seminars/conferences, including the 2017 Northeast Florida Environmental Summit and the 2016 State Mangrove and Macrobenthos Meeting. Should I bother including these?

In the summer of 2016 I held an internship at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (My dream is to work for the EPA, so this fit right in. I gained invaluable skills in environmental permitting, resource management, wetland delineation, and water quality assessment.)

Fun fact: I am an industry-certified biotechnician. (4 years of a biotechnology and medical research program in high school)

Teacher Rec #1: From my AP environmental science teacher. Should be amazing. I have worked closely with her over my high school career in a variety of environmental activities. She was the sponsor of my solar energy project and is aware of all my volunteer work. Focuses on my passion and dedication to protecting the environment.
Teacher Rec #2: From AP Lit teacher. Should be strong. Focuses on my character and strengths.
Counselor Rec: Hopefully this will be good! I don’t know my counselor that well. She knows of my successes, but doesn’t know me personally.
Additional Rec: From my ACT tutor, Harvard alumni. Will focus on my academic strengths and outgoing personality.

Other:
Will you apply for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Environmental Science and Public Policy
State (if domestic applicant): FL
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male

Do you guys think I have a chance? I really want to showcase my passion for the environment in my application. Do you think it is prevalent? :bz

Thanks for your input!

[This post was edited for privacy.]

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bump

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Like everyone else applying, you have a chance. You seem like a competitive applicant, and unless finances are a problem then I don’t think there’s any harm in applying. Good luck!

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The best advice I can offer comes from someone else: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elizabeth-dankoski/why-a-perfect-sat-score-c_1_b_9219184.html

Unfortunately, none of the qualities an Admissions Committee looks for come across in a chance-me post. The best anyone can say is that your test scores and GPA place you within HYPSM’s range and the range of every other college. Does that mean you have a chance? Sure it does! Does that mean you will accepted to HYPS or M? Impossible to say – as the key is how well you are able to communicate “what lights you up” and how you’ve taken those things and “made a difference in the larger community.”

Best of luck to you in the upcoming Admissions process!

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Thanks for the input :slight_smile:
The Harvard website says that SAT Subject Tests are not required. If I do not have them, will it hurt my chances? Should I take two?
@gibby

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This from William Fitzsimmons: https://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/harvarddean-part2/

Regardless of the information on Harvard’s website about SAT Subject Tests being optional, Harvard seems to value academic-based standardized tests, such as the SAT Subject Tests MORE highly than the SAT or ACT tests. So, my guess is the vast majority of applicants (your direct competition) will be submitting two SAT Subject Test scores along with their application. So, while it may not hurt your application if you do not have them, it demonstrates to Harvard that those students who have done well on SAT Subject tests (700+) will do well if admitted.

FWIW: My kid’s high school advised students taking non-AP courses in subjects such as Bio, Chem, Math and Physics to take the SAT Subject Test in June following the course, as their HS sufficiently prepared them to do well on Subject tests without any additional studying. You might check with your guidance counselor if the same applies for your HS. Even though SAT Subject Tests are optional, I would still submit them with your application if the cost of doing so is not a burden to your family.

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I am in AP Bio this year, so I will probably sign up for the June SAT Bio E. I will speak to my counselor.
Thanks for your help @gibby ! :bz

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You are definitely angular or spikey enough in Environmentalism to garner some attention from the elites including the ivies, meaning you have to show some superiority in one thing that competes at a national level. That said, I have seen too many kids get turned down because they are only beating one drum. It would be good to have a little more breadth not depth that shows you are interesting.

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Yikes. I will definitely keep that in mind. Thanks @preppedparent

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Ivies are impossible to chance for. Just as Gibby sad, you’re in the range as well as thousands of other applicants. Just keep up your work, grades, and scores. Other factors include: what they’re looking for, who’s reading it, rigor of school, etc…great work!