Chance me for Harvard Early Action

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

Demographics
· Gender: Female
· Race: Asian (Indian)
· Residence: South
· Type of School: Public
· Hooks: None

Intended Major(s): Sociocultural Anthropology, Government, Music

Academics
· GPA: UW- 4.0/4.0; W- 4.4082 (All As)
· Rank: 6/505
· Honors/AP: 16 APs total
· Senior Courses: 6 APs

Standardized Testing
· ACT: 34 + 9/12 Essay
· SAT II: World Hist (770), US Hist (800)

Extracurriculars/Activities
· Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief, (Name of organization redacted for privacy) - social advocacy through social media campaigns
Led a BLM campaign; received 1.5 million social media impressions; lead to 70k people signing petitions; edited articles for our Magazine

Deputy Political Director, US Congressional Campaign and Fellowship for District Representative Campaign
Crafted educational policy platform; worked with FEC resources in an effort with the campaign to raise $60k+; led opposition research

Co-Founder & Executive Director, (organization name redacted for privacy reasons) - an organization aiming to tackle social issues
Shared the stories of political advocates (Alicia Garza BLM Co-founder); provided people with advocacy resources for Equality Act and BLM

State 3rd District Director, Young Democrats of America
Registered 500+ voters district-wide; organized canvassing, sign holding, and phone banking events during Arkansas legislative sessions

Journalist, Redefy + GenRiseMedia - publications covering political and cultural issues
Reported on Uighur Muslim camps, BLM, prison reform, the social construct of virginity, and cancel culture; wrote and published 13 total articles

Published Researcher and Finalist, International Social Sciences Conference For Youth (ISSCY) Research Journal
Conducted research about policy solutions for the American Resegregation Crisis; top 90 applicants chosen worldwide to be published

Freelance Prose Writer, Skipping Stones Magazine + Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
Won Noteworthy Entry: Skipping Stones Magazine’s International Youth Writing Award and Silver Key: Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Music Producer, Singer, Lyricist, Album + Berklee College of Music
Releasing a 5-song indie-pop EP; studied a songwriting and singing summer course at the Berklee College of Music

Lead Actress and Participant, International Thespian Society
Qualified to the International Thespian Festival with a Superior Rating in group acting; played lead actress and chorus member in 7 plays and musicals

Debater, Youth & Government - a civic debate program
Debated international and domestic topics at state conferences; received Best Debater Award; qualified and competed at Conference of National Affairs

Awards/Honors
· United States Senate Youth Program Finalist
· National AP Scholar
· National Merit Semifinalist
· NHD Regional 2nd Place Paper
· State Thespian Festival: Excellent Rating Solo Musical Performance

Letters of Recommendation
Great I think.

Essays

Common App- Talked about how my family history relates to empathy, activism, and theater
My Supplements - 1. My work on research/congressional campaign 2. My International Youth Organization 3. Music

2

Im going to be honest with you, they may seem amazing, but they wont get you accepted. Most of your things seem motivated and geared to please colleges, not for your own personal likeness. And plus your indian, which would make it a whole lot harder, since they get the most applicants from indians and Chinese. Also it seems like you completed all your EC of your junior year, and colleges know thats an attempt to please them. Sorry for being so harsh, but this is the cruel world. Good luck though, and you never know you might have a shot.

3

Id shoot for Stanford, Brown, And Cambridge in London. Your also a shoe in at Berkley and tufts. I Highly recommend you apply early to brown though if you did.

4

*Cambridge, UK

5

Too late to apply to Cambridge

6

I would be careful about overstating your roles as in “crafted educational policy platform” for a congressional campaign. Maybe you did, but it is hard to believe a high school student would do this for a campaign.

There is so much on this list that it is hard to understand how you do it all. Is your involvement deepest in certain ones?

7

Imo, you crafted this like a resume. But you’re not applying for a job or an internship. Dig a little deeper into what H values and looks for. It’s not all go-go/all the time. And be sure the essay reflects you, the traits they want to find. Show, not just tell.

8

I mean isn’t the activities section supposed to be a resume? It’s not like you can insert that much personality into 150 characters. My essays are definitely where my personality comes out. I talk about my love of music, my passion in politics, etc.

9

I actually started many of my extracurriculars freshmen or sophomore year. It’s weird to assume what year I started my activities and if I am actually interested in those activities. Additionally, I might be wrong but doesn’t it hurt to be Asian if you are applying to the STEM field. Currently, I have applied with interest into Government. My entire activities section is full of political activities because I care deeply about the state of our country currently. I spend almost all my days working to elect candidates that aren’t homophobic, racist, or fascist. Not for my college applications, but because I want people to not lose their human/civil rights. I’m applying to these schools because I want to be set up well before I pursue a job in government where I can hopefully create greater change and make our country a more inclusive and kind place.

10

My top activities are the ones where I am most involved. I live in a Southern state where the Democratic candidate runs a great campaign populated heavily with young people. I actually did create the educational policy platform.

11

No, it’s not meant to be a resume, in the sense of applying for a job, using all the action verbs, leaning into self-promo, etc. (It’s a fine line to walk.)

Good, if you’re active in the local political scene and possibly want a govt major. But:

“doesn’t it hurt to be Asian if you are applying to the STEM field.” Is that what this is really about? And, no, it doesn’t automataically hurt to be of Asian origin.

The issue of how much you were involved in the educational policy is because we adults know the sort of effort, the collaboration, and the psychology in promoting policy changes. It’s rare for a younger person to come to the table with that perspective. Not without help. If you aren’t cautious, it can seem like total elaboration. And possibly, a little aggressive.

You’re applying to be acepted into a college community. The review isn’t hierarchical, in the sense of who drove harder or who’s got more accolades.

12
13

Your responses here are thoughtful and articulate.

The issue with the educational platform is the word “crafted.” Usually the candidate and advisors “craft” a platform. It is just confusing to use that word. I am not sure what your role was, but perhaps you wrote what is on the link? That is not the same as “crafting” the “platform.” That means you did some writing or editing for campaign materials.

It appears that you are genuinely motivated by a desire to effect change, that your career goals are altruistic, and that you see college as a way to pursue those goals.

The response to your activities list can just point to the possibility that your activities may seem spread across too many organizations, or that your activities lack depth. I don’t think that is the case, but hopefully this thread helps.

Many kids narrow their focus in late high school and college. Music, theater and politics all require a kind of passionate commitment. Hats off to you if you are managing such a rich and busy life. But be aware of appearances too and make sure you are accurate and don’t overstate however unintentionally :slight_smile:

14

Thank you for the advice, I have switched up the wording a bit.