Chance Me For Harvard!

<p>wcc: i just looked at your ECs. They are fine but nothing earth-shattering in the Harvard pool. Even if I were to say you’re 100% better than the average applicant (I’m not), your chances are still 11.8%. What else are you looking for?</p>

<p>The fact is no one who posts here is going to decide on your file. We can only give you our opinions. That plus a dollar will get you a sweet tea at mcdonalds. That’s why “chance me” threads are all useless. Can’t you see that? Why do you insist on getting more opinions. Come next April either you’re in or not.</p>

<p>^^ And . . . with the repeated requests for “chance me chance me chance me”, you come across as a desperate individual who has so little self-condidence in himself/herself, that you constantly need your ego stroked by the judgements of strangers. For that reason alone, I wouldn’t admit you, as most Harvard students that I know have a very strong sense of self and self-worth.</p>

<p>I think everyone does a favor by taking the time to offer their opinions. If someone notices something that they find damaging to your chances, it’s really important to take it in stride rather than just arguing with them. Yes, those 50% B’s sophomore year will hurt you. No, they might not completely ruin your chances.</p>

<p>I think only Harvard officials know whether you’ll be admitted or not– no need to argue with the people that try and help you out.</p>

<p>That being said, I strongly believe you can expect an acceptance by the time April rolls around. I’ve said that before, but just thought I’d reiterate.</p>

<p>@wcclirl444 I think your ECs are very very good, and you have a chance of getting into Harvard. Some say that your ecs are not <em>outstanding</em> in the Harvard pool of applicants and your freshman/sophomore grades will drag you down…this is not true. As long as you show an upward improvement in your grades, it’ll be fine. True, Harvard has thousands of applicants with perfect transcripts, so how do they choose? Obviously by selecting the ones with the most POTENTIAL, INSPIRATION and PASSION. That is why ECs and essays are such an important part of the application process – because it makes you stand out from all the valedictorians and shows that you are UNIQUE. Grades are just the first round that gets you through!</p>

<p>^^ Correction – that’s why TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS and essays are important. </p>

<p>EC’s are used to see what a student does outside of the classroom, but they do not by themselves make or break an application. On the other hand, anything but stellar teacher recommendations can spell doom for an applicant. See: [Guidance</a> Office: Answers From Harvard’s Dean, Part 3 - NYTimes.com](<a href=“http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/14/harvarddean-part3/]Guidance”>Guidance Office: Answers From Harvard's Dean, Part 3 - The New York Times)</p>

<p>"Recommendations from secondary school teachers and counselors are extremely important at Harvard and at many other colleges, particularly those with selective admissions processes. Faced with more academically qualified applicants than places in the freshman class, our admission officers review the two required teacher recommendations and the counselor report with great care, often commenting on them in writing on “reader sheets” in each application.</p>

<p>We often project the recommendations themselves onto large screens so that all members of the Admissions Committee can see them during the subcommittee and full committee review processes in February and March.</p>

<p>Recommendations can help us to see well beyond test scores and grades and other credentials and can illuminate such personal qualities as character and leadership as well as intellectual curiosity, creativity, and love of learning. "</p>