CHANCE me for HARVARD SCEA Class of 2019

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>I would much appreciate it if you guys could weigh my odds of getting into HARVARD SCEA. Please also feel free to chance me for COLUMBIA RD, BROWN RD, and YALE RD if you can.
(I altered some of the information to conceal my identity. If you can still tell who I am, then hands off to you.)</p>

<p>Objective:</p>

<p>SAT I (breakdown): 750 (CR) 780 (W) 800 (M) -- 2330 (Essay: 10)
ACT (breakdown): 35 (Essay: 10)
SAT II (place score in parentheses): 800 (Bio M) 800 (Math 2)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): No. 1
AP (place score in parentheses): 5 on APES, Bio, Stats, US History, Euro, Lang, CS A, Calculus AB, and Macroeconomics
IB (place score in parentheses): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Macro(I self-studied it before)/AP Government, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Lit, AP Physics 1/AP Physics 2
Prospective Major: Neurobiology
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): International Brain Bee, United States of America Second Place Champion
NAQT HS National Championship Tournament, Individual Ranking, Top 20%
Other Honors: Eagle Scout
Academic All-American (NSDA)
George Eastman Young Leader
Subjective:</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Quiz Bowl (Captain), Model UN (Chair of WHO), NeuroPsy (Brain Bee Tutor), NSDA, Science Bowl. Nothing special.
Job/Work Experience: Executive Director and Founder of a fairly popular online volunteer networking hub. Will give a TEDx talk in early 2015.
Volunteer/Community Service: VA Hospital Volunteer. Nothing special, but really important for me because it started my passion for fighting brain cancer.
Summer Activities: Invited Researcher at Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center my 11th/12th grade summer (a non-RSI project, I contacted alot of HMS researchers by myself a year before I began the project). Designed a novel bioe- chip to detect cancers. Pending patency. Will use for Siemens and Intel STS.
Essays: Pursuing an independent idea on how to solve cancer.
Teacher Recommendations: Nothing special.
Counselor Rec: Nothing special.
Additional Rec: Letter from a HMS professor. Gives insight to my novel idea and my determination to research something totally odd.</p>

<p>State (if domestic applicant): AR
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public Magnet
Ethnicity: South Asian (Indian)
Gender: M
Income Bracket: 100K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None, unless you count the HMS letter to be a hook</p>

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<p>Did you read this thread that is at the top of the Harvard Forum? <a href=“Chance Threads - PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING ONE - Harvard University - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1420290-chance-threads-please-read-before-posting-one-p1.html&lt;/a&gt;. After reading all 3 pages, if you have a specific question about your chances, ask again.</p>

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<p>low reach
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1685346-chance-me-for-the-csus.html?new=1”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1685346-chance-me-for-the-csus.html?new=1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I see where you’re coming from gibby, but I wouldn’t be as quick as you in dismissing the utility of chance threads. Even if they don’t accurately predict an admissions outcome, they can often times provide very objective insights into the activities of others. Many times, these insights are more important than the outcome itself.</p>

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<p>^^ If you would like to play a fools game, there is a whole section of CC devoted to student prognostication and you are welcome to post there: <a href=“Chance Me / Match Me! - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances&lt;/a&gt;. Please note, however, that most adults with years of experience on CC don’t believe in “chance me” threads. That’s because when our kids were going through the college applications process, we could not make a prediction about our own child. If I could not predict that my daughter – who I know better than you – would be accepted to Harvard, but rejected from Yale and Princeton, or that my son would be rejected from Harvard, but accepted to Yale and Princeton, how then am I going to make a prediction about you? If your stats are within a college’s range, then you have a chance – beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess.</p>

<p>If you have time, look through the below decision threads. You’ll notice that students are rejected and accepted with basically the same stats as you. </p>

<p><a href=“***Official Harvard University 2018 SCEA Decisions ONLY*** - Harvard University - College Confidential Forums”>***Official Harvard University 2018 SCEA Decisions ONLY*** - Harvard University - College Confidential Forums;
<a href=“*** Official Harvard University 2018 RD Decisions Only*** - Harvard University - College Confidential Forums”>*** Official Harvard University 2018 RD Decisions Only*** - Harvard University - College Confidential Forums;

<p>So, what made the difference for the kids that were accepted? Having been through the process with my kids and other students, I’m a firm believer that it all comes down essays and teacher recommendations – and those are very subjective. Watch this video and see how random the process is: <a href=“College Admissions: Inside the Decision Room - YouTube”>College Admissions: Inside the Decision Room - YouTube. Best of luck to you!</p>

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<p>Thanks, gibby!</p>

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<p>I dunno, I think these threads are kind of useful. </p>

<p>FWIW, I’m a Harvard alum (AB, AM) and have been interviewing applicants to Harvard College for 20 years now. I’ve seen and interviewed an awful lot of applicants— accepted, rejected and wait-listed. I think I have a good feel for this stuff at this point.</p>

<p>Here are my comments:</p>

<p>Your academic credentials are as good as they can be. They are probably better than about 80% of the students I’ve interviewed that were admitted. Your number of AP exams and scores, class rank, and SAT scores are great, even among the universe of Harvard applicants.</p>

<p>Your “nothing special” rec letters are concerning. With those kind of grades and scores, why are these letters “nothing special”? You should have teachers saying you’re the best student they’ve had in 10 years! Why don’t you?</p>

<p>What will really tip the scales in your favor is the work you did at Dana Farber— if it really is important work. Did you really come up with a new bio-chip device all on your own? Does it really work? Do you own the patent? That is the game changer, as far as I’m concerned. </p>

<p>If that thing you invented is really important, then you could have SAT scores 300 points lower than you do, and half the AP exams you do, and you’d be admitted. That is a big deal. </p>

<p>If that thing you invented is important, I’d give you a 90% chance (assuming your letters aren’t bad.) </p>

<p>Without that, I’d say you have a better than average chance, perhaps 30-35%, perhaps higher.</p>

<p>Best guess: </p>

<p>You’ll get in to Brown— I’d be really surprised if you didn’t---- and probably Columbia as well. Yale chances same as Harvard.</p>

<p>(BTW, it’s “hats off to you” not “hands off to you.”)</p>

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<p>Wow GregB your contributions to a board like this are extremely valuable. Where have you been hiding??</p>

<p>You offered great feedback but I have a question if you don’t mind. When you are interviewing a student similar to Drake that has accomplished so much are you then looking for the stand out qualities like summer research or more like awards achieved ? My son is desperately trying to determine what essay topic to highlight to Harvard so that it speaks to a quality Harvard values highly. </p>

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<p>TwoTravelin:</p>

<p>Understand, I’m not on the admissions committee. My job is to interview applicants, write a letter, and mail that to the adcom to read. At that point, my job is done. I can tell you what I personally look for in the interview. I do also see the outcomes of the folks I interview, so I can kind of piece together, in a rudimentary way, what seems to matter.</p>

<p>You say you are hoping to “highlight a topic so that it speaks to a quality Harvard values highly.” I have some general comments about this:</p>

<p>As far as I can tell, Harvard values dynamic and interesting and passionate individuals who have good ideas about how to improve the world and who aren’t jerks. It’s a very large bonus if you’ve ALREADY improved the world in some substantial way---- research, or some other way. After the obvious demonstration of intellectual ability of course (which you already know about— above 700-750 SATs, top 10 in hard classes, etc.) my experience is that that is what Harvard wants. </p>

<p>Does that help at all? </p>

<p>As far as what I personally am looking for in the interview:</p>

<p>I feel my job is to be an advocate for every student I interview, to give them a chance to present more of themselves than what you see in written applications. In my report (in most cases) I feel my job is to attempt to argue WHY the student SHOULD be admitted, not why they SHOULDN’T. I love meeting new people, and almost always do everything in my power to convince the adcom to admit said student. That being said, the one thing I do keep in the back of my head is “Is this person a self-centered jerk?” I’ve been doing this so long that, even though people are on their best behavior, I can kind of tell. Only one time in 20 years of doing this did I imply such in my letter— and that was for a really stellar candidate on paper with whom I actually had one of the most intellectually stimulating conversations about politics I’d ever had. However, he also treated his guidance counselor dismissively and condescendingly, and came across arrogant in his intellect. I mentioned this in my letter. He didn’t get in. (He went to Yale.) </p>

<p>On the positive side, I’m looking for someone with whom I can have a good conversation in the dining hall, and who could be a good friend and colleague, and who has interesting ideas about improving the world. My personal opinion is that there are too many people developed very highly intellectually but with the moral development of a mushroom. </p>

<p>That being said, I can recall two applicants who I really really pulled hard for, who I just could tell were, sincerely, doing all that volunteer work because that was just who they were. They were great people, highly developed morally for 17 years old. Both got waitlisted. My recollection is that they were top 10 and low 700s. That was very disappointing. So, it’s tough on my end. I’m disappointed every year when applicants I really like don’t get in. </p>

<p>Anyway, my last piece of advice is this: Harvard isn’t everything. What’s more important is for your son to decide what type of person he is on the inside, then have confidence and security in himself as a person because of that, and go forth confidently. That will serve him better in his future than any degree from any college. </p>

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<p>Thanks GregB that is a great amount of good advice! I am sure the kids that interview with you feel lucky to share their time with someone so insightful. </p>

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<p>Thank you for your insight and honesty, as an interviewer and human being. I used to interview for University of Chicago so I can relate to much of what you are saying. I now have my own son applying to colleges, and one of my greatest concerns as I listen to presentations at top colleges is that there is this unrealistic expectation for applicants to describe some kind of major invention they made as 14-17-year olds, performed at university labs where they are expected to perform world-class research in order to get spots at top universities. I have seen the work that students describe they have done, and while intellectually advanced, the reality is that this work was given to them by their lab directors or edited by their parents who may be scientists or doctors. When asked to describe in the most simplest of terms, to a layperson, many of these students would not be able to do so. I agree with you that comments made by teachers are perhaps the most telling of the students’ character and work ethic, and giftedness in many cases. These are the qualities that will enable these students to be excellent learners in college and beyond. They have some time to be world-class scientists and inventors…</p>

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<p>How do you know that your recommendations were nothing special? Did you sign a waiver?</p>

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<p>Thank you for your insight and honesty, as an interviewer and human being. I used to interview for University of Chicago so I can relate to much of what you are saying. I now have my own son applying to colleges, and one of my greatest concerns as I listen to presentations at top colleges is that there is this unrealistic expectation for applicants to describe some kind of major invention they made as 14-17-year olds, performed at university labs where they are expected to perform world-class research in order to get spots at top universities. I have seen the work that students describe they have done, and while intellectually advanced, the reality is that this work was given to them by their lab directors or edited by their parents who may be scientists or doctors. When asked to describe in the most simplest of terms, to a layperson, many of these students would not be able to do so. I agree with you that comments made by teachers are perhaps the most telling of the students’ character and work ethic, and giftedness in many cases. These are the qualities that will enable these students to be excellent learners in college and beyond. They have some time to be world-class scientists and inventors…</p>

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<p>

^^ While I agree that expectations seem unrealistic, those students do exist. I imagine many of these current Harvard students started their cancer research projects or musical concerts or start-ups while in high school: <a href=“Most Impressive Harvard Students”>Most Impressive Harvard Students;

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<p>It is important to note that any of these students aren’t doing these projects alone, most do them in college, not in high school, and most of those were not done independently or with the student as the lead scientist, researcher, businessperson, etc. Of the group who did these leadership things independently, they are still not the norm, nor should any school base their decisions using these students as the bar. There are many parents behind the scenes, as well as well-connected friends. I am merely stating that these kids are truly the exception.</p>

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<p>^^^ One of the key differences between Harvard, and say UChicago, is that William Fitzsimmons seeks out, accepts, and is able to matriculate these kinds of exceptional students – students that other universities would love to have. (After all, in the past forty years he’s admitted Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Ken Griffin, Gerald Chan and hundreds of others who have given back billions to the school.) The net result is that there are more than a handful of Harvard freshman who are already millionaires because they sold some invention or app while in high school. Now, maybe these kids are not the norm at other colleges, and maybe they have had adult help in the process – but they do exist and at Harvard it’s really not so rare. My daughter, who is a senior, has encountered many students during her time on campus that are exceptional and extraordinary in that sense – students that are internationally recognized for their talent or specialty. And for those students, like my daughter, who are just “normal kids” that somehow managed to be admitted, it can be pretty intimidating experience. </p>

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<p>@gibby, I’m just curious, why do you think they accept normal people anyway? I mean surely they could fill their class with recruited athletes, low income/disadvantaged URM, and amazing kids that discovered the cure to breast cancer while winning a championship in Thai classical dance. It can’t be that hard to find 2000 of those kids. Do they just accept relatively normal kids to round out a class and perhaps they see some great unfulfilled potential in? </p>

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<p>^^ Yes, I do think they admit normal people anyway – my daughter is proof of that, although she will be graduating Phi Beta Kappa this December . . . so that is not quite normal.</p>

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Gibby, you hit it on the head with your example! Gibby’s saying if you are a humane genius, Harvard has a place for you. If you are humane and (hehe!) merely very bright and/or gifted in some area, Harvard has a place for you. Harvard is all about forming an entering class of humane students with varied high levels of abilities, talents, and gifts. So if you are not a genius, go for it! But it is important to know who you are and where you fit within that diversity of highly intelligent, talented, and gifted group of applicants. So sell who you are! Don’t try to sell yourself as a genius if you are not one. Do it right and you stand a chance of gaining admissions to and graduating from Harvard, and perhaps with Phi Beta Kappa honors as gibby’s daughter. BTW, much congrats to your daughter, gibby! My cousin will be graduating from Harvard in May 2016.

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MODERATOR’S NOTE Do not resurrect old threads. SCEA decisions were announced 3 months ago, and OP has vanished into the wind. Closing.