<p>I think the others have made it pretty clear.
If you're applying to Harvard as maybe-I'll-get-in-maybe-I-won't then just apply to it. You'll never have what-ifs later :)
If you're just looking for an Ivy to apply, try Dathmouth or Cornell as somebody just said.
Don't focus too much on the GPA, though. I guess you balanced it out already with that impressive list of activites.</p>
<p>I don't think there's anything wrong with you except for your relatively low GPA. Personally, I think if you are truly passionate about what you saw in Africa and want to work to relieve that, then you can reflect it in your essays. If you are truthful about your intentions, I think it would show in your essay.</p>
<p>Fair chance at Harvard, I wouldn't guarantee anything though. Why don't you look at some other elite colleges? Cornell, Columbia, Wash U, etc. may all be good choices for you. Be confident, you've got what it takes, you just don't know that you do (:</p>
<p>I think the forum has made it clear that your chance at getting into Harvard is slim. You will get the same response if you bump it a few more times. What you have to decide right now is whether you want to apply or not. Since you seem like you really want to go the Harvard, I suggest applying so at least you will have no regrets. Don't get your hopes up though. Good luck.</p>
<p>Yeah I agree unless you've got a major hook you probably will not get into Harvard with a 3.4. It would need to be more like 3.7+</p>
<p>I see,</p>
<p>I decided I will apply, of course, so I will have no regrets. Thanks for evaluating me guys! Now, time to do the supplements :)</p>
<p>I agree with snooker1 for the most part. I don't think your essay is overdone at all!! Most essay topics will SOUND overdone if you describe them in a sentence like that. The thing is, it really doesn't matter all that much what topic you choose. I'm sure you know this. There are no "overdone topics;" there are only "overdone essays." If you write it in a mundane way, it will scream overdone. But yours sounds original simply because you're talking about an experience other people probably haven't had. </p>
<p>You've got a slim chance with ivies - go for it!</p>
<p>Thanks dcahri</p>
<p>You cleared doubts about my essay. Its true, a true experience can only be described uniquely by the person. I just hope Harvard adcoms will see past the stats and put a face on my app through my essay.</p>
<p>I just had a quick question for anyone who knows</p>
<p>I have read many essays and many people seem to sell themselves at least by the end of the essay. I know it is necessary at times, but if you've got a really gripping essay, something that will tear your heart apart, is it really doing justice to the work if at the end you go "and that's why I want to go to (name of college)"</p>
<p>I feel it takes away from the passion and the effect, but still, I want to know,</p>
<p>your gpa could be a problem because of your ethniticy. Also ecs arent that spectacular but i am sure u can get by with really stong essays on life xpericances that youve had Don't worry about it too much.. its a crapshoot for everyone. I noticed in your post that you are applying for the sake of appyling.. Why? apply somewhere that you really want to go to. not Harvard for the name... best of luck</p>
<p>I realized that later, but now I know its because I'm tired of never being someone my parents can be proud of. I know now that its because I have potential, and using it properly, I can make myself and others that matter to me extremely proud. The 3.4 GPA was just an estimate, but it could be a 3.6. Also, my some said my ECs were great, others no, so .....? </p>
<p>I think what will come across best is my passion for the African people as well as my character.</p>
<p>Does anyone else find it interesting that these 'Chance me for H/Y/P/S' threads get far more replies than other chance threads on an average?</p>
<p>OK reevalute, I have a higher GPA than I thought, not by much, but better nonetheless</p>
<p>Asian American- Kenya (family has been in Africa for over 100 years)
SAT: 710 CR, 780 M, 750W w/ 12 essay
SAT II: 780 Math 2, 680 Chemistry</p>
<p>High School GPA, 3.576/4.0
Class rank, around 24/282 </p>
<p>My Courses
8 years of Science (I want to be premed)
-Earth Science
-Biology
-Honors Chemistry
-AP Chemistry (test to be taken)
-Physics
-Honors Physics II (AP to be taken)
-Anatomy/Physiology
-Biotechnology </p>
<p>4 years of Honors math, last year is AP Clac BC</p>
<p>Everything else was Honors when possible</p>
<p>ECs
National Honors Society (230 hours to date)
Math Club 3 years
Model UN 4 years
Orchestra-Violin 6 years total
Vice Prez Junior Year
Kent County Hospital Intern for a summer
Naval Undersea Warfare Center Intern for a summer
Active member in my Islamic Community
Tutor for the SAT
Invisible Children, providing aid to Ugandan Children
Capitol Forum- US Foreign Policy, Rhode Island Statehouse
Hybrigene- Biotechnology Intern for a summer</p>
<p>Awards
Various Excellence Recognition Awards in my subjects (6 total)
Best Delegate Award for MUN, Saudi Arabia</p>
<p>Recs- good or excellent idk
Essay- Extremely captivating about Africa</p>
<p>wait wait wait... you're an asian american... and your in africa? that is intriguing.</p>
<p>Stop with the Asian s***. Even colleges know better than to look at race alone as a determining factor. Each personal circumstance stands on its own regard. I don't know where most of CC got the mentality that if your Asian, most of your accomplishments don't mean squat. I think that people are taking a few vague articles about college admissions, a slipped comment or two by a random admission officer and taking them as the general truth. </p>
<p>Most Asians get into top schools and many with "sub par" stats to prove that Asian discrimination is generally not the case as it is hyped up to be. Sure, certain minorities get an advantage, but that does not mean that Asians in general get a disadvantage. </p>
<p>For the OP, I think your GPA is low, but your SAT and ECs are alright. Just apply and I hope you have the best of luck. Percentage chances are impossible for the top schools. Just apply and wait. You might get lucky.</p>
<p>Sorry for the misunderstanding</p>
<p>I am Asian (Indian) but my family, for around 8 generations, has lived in Africa. I mention that only because it actually did alter our culture, food and sometimes language when compared to an original Indian family. Its what my essay is about.</p>
<p>Yeah, so the GPA was not a 3.4 it was a 3.57, big difference, idk
Does anyone else think it will make a difference?</p>
<p>I know firsthand the disadvantages in applying to college as an Asian.</p>
<p>Had you been anything but Asian, your scores would be considered strong. However as it stands, they are strictly average. As for your GPA (3.57), it will hurt you, but not as much as you may think. My GPA was only 3.54 and I was accepted into Columbia (although I had higher standardized test scores).</p>
<p>Your ECs are respectable, but most college applications will not provide adequate room for you to list all of them. </p>
<p>I think you have a great chance at any school other than those in the Ivy League - to them, you are merely an 'Average Asian'.</p>
<p>Oh man, please tell me colleges like Harvard don't subconciously discriminate so black-and-white like that. Surely they'll see past the fact that I am originally from Asia. So, all hope is lost, what can I expect, what am I doing with my life?</p>
<p>Haha. Perhaps I was being a bit too extreme. But the point is still the same. </p>
<p>You are a well-rounded candidate, but you lack a 'hook' that would get you into Harvard. And once again, the mere fact that you are Asian *** will *** without a doubt have a negative impact on your chances.</p>
<p>Oh boy. I guess my only hook is my essay. Otherwise, would you say I am on the borderline?</p>
<p>Gryffon5147-</p>
<p>I'm with you.....I'm so tired of Asians whining about being discriminated against....I believe schools take into account the ENTIRE circumstances of an applicant in order to build a class...NO ONE (except maybe Asians...) wants to go to a college with 40% of one race....whether it be white, black, Asian, or WHATEVER.</p>