Hi all,
The deadline is fast approaching, but I still am unsure if I should bother submitting REA. Any feedback would be much appreciated!
Applying for Biochem and Econ in order to enter the biotech side of pharmaceuticals. Harvardś unique commitment to academic harmony in dual majors really appeals and makes it my first choice.
White Male, No FinAid
SAT: 1570 (770R/W-800M)
ACT:35
SAT II: 800 Bio, 790 Math II, 790 Chem, 730 Latin
AP:
Bio -5
Euro - 5
Chem - 5
APUSH - 5
APCSA - 4
Seminar - 4
Latin - 4
Senior Classes:
AP Lit
AP Research
AP Psych
Multivariable Calc
AP Macroeconomics
AP Government
AP Physics C: E&M + Mechanics
Math Modeling Honors
ECs:
Ecological Bio Research - Not necessarily the most major oriented, but I love the social impacts of the project I work in. I analyze data and will be cited as a contributor at the Jan-Feb publication date.
Mu Alpha Theta - President. I have expanded community outreach via digitizing the school-wide tutoring system. I have also raised money for several subcommittees that increase general math engagement at my school.
Entrepreneurship Club founder - I founded a club where I weekly teach ~20 students about Shopify web development. I am working to provide entrance opportunities to local business competitions.
Science Olympiad President - I have several regional firsts and seconds and have recruited 20+ new members.
Speech and Debate Treasurer - I have won a couple of regional tournaments and helped organize some local middle school competitions.
NHS Secretary - I have organized an AP prep book drive for a local impoverished high school.
Latin Club Treasurer - I have a couple of 10-15th places at national competitions. Several t5s in state.
QuizBowl
Recent published analysis of the data released by Harvard in the discrimination trial indicates that unconnected white applicants (not legacy, not donor, not recruited athlete) with the two highest academic ratings (which your stats should put you in) have about a 14% chance of admissions.
Before trying to figure out if your EC’s are good enough to put you in the 14% admitted, you need to consider whether there is enough of a bump from REA at H (as opposed to the EA or ED bump at other schools you are considering) to make a H REA advisable?
Also, by how much is Harvard your first choice, and are you willing to abandon applying to H RD if you ED somewhere else?
Generally speaking, your ECs probably put you in the ballpark, but don’t seem to be the kind of national and international level EC’s that particularly stand out and help in the REA round.
ED at, for example: UPenn (which isn’t a bad choice for someone interested in biotech and econ with a clear goal of going into the Biotech industry) would provide a significantly bigger odds boost as compared to REA at Harvard for the unconnected, un-recruited, non-legacy.
@tdy123
Thanks for the feedback! I subscribe in large to what you are saying-I would ED at Penn if my parents were willing, but they want me to see what merit offerings arise given our full pay status. That being said, I feel like Harvard, although not the greatest chance, is still better than RD. If I am able to produce captivating essays do you think I have a shot at standing any better than that 14%?
To the extent that “holistic” means anything at all, essays do count, but (and this is a big “but”,) the 14% already assumes that you are ranked academically among the best applicants to Harvard. I’d tend to assume that “captivating” essays are expected from academically outstanding applicants, and short of being so outstanding that it is one of the best they receive in the upcoming admissions cycle, unlikely to move the needle.
If you are are looking for Merit$ you need to look outside the IVY’s + Standford + MIT which only offer need based aid.
UChicago, Vanderbilt, Duke and WUSTL are among the more selective schools that offer merit scholarships.
You seem like you have a relatively good shot at acceptance but noone ever knows for sure.
I am curious about a couple of things:
From you: “Applying for Biochem and Econ in order to enter the biotech side of pharmaceuticals.”
This is a very specific career goal for a high school senior. How did you come around to this focus? What are the reasons for your interest?
And this from you: “Harvardś unique commitment to academic harmony in dual majors really appeals and makes it my first choice.”
What do you mean by “academic harmony”? Have you checked these two departments to look into joint concentrations and the requirements to do that? Some even require a petition.
There are many many schools that will be good for double majoring.
Harvard won’t give merit obviously. Have you considered other schools that do give merit? Including your state university?