Chance me for Harvard?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hi, I'm a rising senior and my dream school is Harvard. I know it is a reach. I would like to do biomedical engineering or pre-med. I go to a math science magnet school.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.97
GPA (weighted): 5.38 (.17 is added for each honors/AP- it's really inflated)
Projected Valedictorian: 1/456</p>

<p>Freshmen Year:
1. Spanish III- A
2. Algebra II Hon.- A
3. English 9 Hon.- A
4. World History II- A
5. AP Environmental Science- A (5)
6. Biology Hon.- A
7. Research Class (How to write research paper)- A
8. Band- A
9. Marching Band- A</p>

<p>Sophomore:
1. Spanish IV Hon.- A
2. English 10 Hon.- A
3. AP Biology (5)- A
4. AP Statistics- B (5)
5. AP Psychology- A (5)
6. Chemistry Hon.- A
7. Trig/Precalculus- A
8. Band- A
9. Marching Band- A</p>

<p>Junior:
1. AP Spanish- A
2. AP English- A
3. APUSH- A
4. AP AB Calculus- A
5. AP Chemistry- A
6. Physics Hon.- A
7. Molecular Biology- B
8. Band Hon.- A
9. Marching Band- A
10. Shakespeare Hon.- A</p>

<p>Senior (projected schedule):
1. AP Lit
2. AP Gov
3. AP Physics (B and E/M)
4. AP BC Calculus
5. AP Art History
6. Math Modeling and Discrete Mathematics (covers Linear Algebra and Multivariate)
7. Band
8. Marching band</p>

<p>Standardized Tests:
ACT: 33 Composite: 35 M, 36 CR, 32 E, 29 S- I know this a horrible score- I will get it up to 35
SAT: 740 CR, 710 M, 750 W (11)- I almost cried when I got this score- very upsetting- I am going to improve math and hopefully CR
SAT II: Math II- 800, Bio M- 750, US History- 710</p>

<p>EC:
Chess Club Co-Captain
4th Place States- Sophomore Year- Second Board
3rd Place States- Junior Year- Fourth Board</p>

<p>Forensics (Public Speaking): Captain
Freshmen Year: 3rd Place Districts
3rd Place Regionals
6th States
Junior Year: 3rd Place Districts
3rd Place Regionals
5th Place States</p>

<p>Battle of the Brains: Captain
Participated in numerous tournaments, including CBS' TV one</p>

<p>Debate Team: PR Specialist
4th Place at UVA Rotunda Classic</p>

<p>Honor Societies: Math Honor Society (Advisory Board President)
Spanish Honor Society
Beta Honor Society
Tri-M Honor Society</p>

<p>Black Belt in Karate</p>

<p>Achieved Social Music Diploma for American Piano Guild Prep A
-Achieved Superior Ratings in Guild for three years</p>

<p>Band- Marching Band- Section Leader for three years
Soloist in Sophomore Year
Most Improved Brass Player </p>

<p>District Band for three years
All County Band for three years</p>

<p>Varsity Tennis for Three Years</p>

<p>Science Fair Acceptance:
Metro Richmond for Three Years- 3rd Place Sophomore Year
VJAS for one year
Hoping to get paper published</p>

<p>Internship- medical internship in which students attend anatomy and physiology classes, do a research project, and shadow doctors</p>

<p>Shadowing:
Cardiologist
General Surgeon
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Plan on shadowing Radiologist, Electrophysiologist, and ER doc</p>

<p>Work Experience:
Worked as data specialist/computer technician for Cardiology Office</p>

<p>Volunteering Experience:
Math/Science Center: Teach underprivileged children about math and science
March of Dimes
Habitat for Humanity (RESTORE)</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone who chances me!</p>

2

<p>You cried b/c you got a 33 ACT and a 2200 SAT? really?</p>

<p>You’re putting way too much presure on yourself. Really, if H doesn’t accept you, will the Earth split? Will you be jettisoned to a school for idiots or some Dickensian poor house?</p>

<p>I get it. You’re an achiever. But please try to get some perspective. Your chances? Terrible, at about 6%</p>

<p>just like most everyone else.</p>

3

<ol>
<li>I was being facetious- of course I was crying because of a standardized test- after all, this is just college- I was disappointed.</li>
<li>I’d appreciate if you actually gave me some legitimate chances not just some percentage you got off the internet- i did not post just to demonstrate to other CC members that I am an achiever- I wanted to evaluate my particular chances
But clearly, if that’s the answer you want to give, I understand- beggars can’t be choosers, right?</li>
</ol>

4

<p>Please don’t worry (and certainly don’t cry) about your test scores, as they’re fine. Think about it: you scored better than 99% of test-takers on the ACT and better than 98% of test-takers on the SAT. Plus, you’re above the 700 threshold on each SAT section and above the 30 threshold on the ACT composite, so your test scores (as well as your other academic credentials) indicate that you’re competitive for Harvard. But so are 90% of the people who apply. Read this:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1420290-chance-threads-please-read-before-posting-one.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1420290-chance-threads-please-read-before-posting-one.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>There are a few people whose chances at Harvard are very good (well-qualified faculty child, recruited athlete, child of a major donor/famous person, national/international champion of something), and it’s really difficult to predict the “chances” for the remainder of the applicant pool. The vast majority of admits (about 1500) stand out for various reasons, most of which are difficult to pinpoint unless one sees the entire application (including recs and essays) and compares it to the entire pool. Factor in some luck as well. </p>

<p>At this point, all you can do is focus on your essays. When you write them, focus not on getting in but rather on representing yourself authentically. Discuss something about which you care deeply in a writing style that reflects your own voice. DO NOT write what you think they want to read.</p>