Chance me please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hey guys, I'm a freshman in High School. Chance me for Harvard please :) ?</p>

<p>Background:
15 y.o. Asian, Female, from Boston-Suburb Area</p>

<p>Courses this year:
Honors Physics, Honors Geometry, Honors World History, English 9, Spanish Intermediate II (High Honor Roll, A's in all of them so far. These are the most advanced courses a freshman can take. Am in the top 10% definitely of the grade, but we don't rank, so I don't know the specifics)</p>

<p>Activities:
-Soccer (JV this year as a freshman (there is a freshman, JV, and V team); will make V in the next year or two) (School)
-Swim team (School. Does not have more specific teams)
-A capella group.
-Serious in Violin. (Played for 10 years so far) My violin teacher is on the Harvard Board of Trustees.
-Orchestra in school, concert master.
-Orchestra at New England Conservatory, high level.
-Made the Eastern Senior District Orchestra.
-Was in Student Council, but was not re-elected for next year. Because I was in StuCo, I was unable to join many clubs this year, but am planning to be active in 2 or 3 student clubs.
-Was in chorus this year, but will not continue next year because of course-overload.
-Will be a writer for next year's School Paper. The teacher plans to make me an editor.
-Writes for the local newspaper. Sports correspondent. </p>

<p>Comm. Service:
-81 Hours this year. Includes coaching for a swim team in the summer, Student Council services, singing in Chorus at nursing homes and such, writing for the town paper.</p>

<p>Summer Plans:
-Continue coaching for the swim program
-Music camp at UVM</p>

<p>Tests:
-Since I'm a freshman, I've only taken the SAT II Physics test today, so I don't have my scores back. Most likely got ~750 (hopefully! :) )</p>

<p>I'm not sure what I'd like to study in college. I'm well-rounded and have many interests, and I just love to learn in general.
Soo what do you think? Any advice on what to add onto in coming years? My school is pretty good with admitting kids to Harvard. This year 7 got in out of ~200. Any constructive criticism is much appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Btw, my school is a public school; ranked #1 in recent years in the Boston area.</p>

3

<p>Since you’re a freshman, keep up with good grades and discover what you really like over the next year/s. It’s good that you start preparing for the SAT/ACT and that you’re taking very challenging courses, but you shouldn’t be like everyone that thinks “I’ll get into Harvard when I take all AP/Honors courses, have 10 or so clubs under my belt and have perfect SAT scores.” - that’s not true at all. If you look in this sub forum, you’ll discover that people with perfect scores, many AP exams and clubs under their belt got rejected, and people with less perfect scores or so had been accepted. My point is that you should instead focus on what you’d like to do for a living, - what do you love the most, instead of being in 10 clubs just because you think it will impress Harvard or any other top school. It will most likely give them the idea that you thought there’s a formula to get into Harvard, - and there’s no formula. I hope that makes sense. Enjoy your high school years, don’t stress out with school, do what you love. ;-)</p>

<p>For chancing you, I think you’ll have good chances when you just follow your desires and interests, and express that not just in your academic records, but also in your extracurriculars.</p>

4

<p>Is it common for high school students to track community service hours?
(If so, things have really changed since I was in high school.)</p>

<p>@Fintork: “My point is that you should instead focus on what you’d like to do for a living…”
I disagree with this advice. The OP is a freshman in high school. I think she should just enjoy high school (make friends, learn how to drive, participate in various extracurriculars, have fun, etc.). Very few students at that age have a clear picture of what they want to do for a future career. That’s not surprising, since they haven’t had many “independent” life experiences yet. In fact, that’s absolutely normal.</p>

<p>I find it rather troubling that a freshman is already worried about her chances of getting into a certain college. I think it’s the wrong attitude to have.</p>

<p>My advice is to relax. Don’t feel compelled to take AP courses if you simply aren’t interested in them. Pursue your musical interests (violin) and stay involved with swimming. Do something fun over the summer. No sense in getting stressed out about your chances of getting into Harvard (or any other school) at this point.</p>

<p>FYI, I really enjoyed my time as a Harvard undergrad, but, to be honest, I would have been very happy at a lot of other colleges as well. To a great extent, your college experience is what you make of it.</p>

5

<p>There’s nothing wrong with telling your opinion, however it’s “beneficial” for someone to already know what they like to do in the future at that age, because that already shows you’re different.</p>

6

<p>“Is it common for high school students to track community service hours?”</p>

<p>Yes. In many places, it’s mandatory. In Maryland, there is a requirement to complete a certain number of service hours to receive one’s high school diploma. My sons’ private high school (in Maryland) requires a total of 55 hours minimum to graduate, performed over four years. There are forms that require signatures to substantiate service performed. There are quotas for “contact hours” versus “non-contact hours,” requirements for reflection papers, etc.</p>

<p>It’s become a remarkably big business, a way to create vast pools of free teen-aged labor. And folks wonder why so many kids can’t find paying jobs.</p>

7

<p>^^ When my daughter finished her 50 mandated community service hours during middle school, she commented “I am so glad I will never have to do that again!” And she hasn’t lifted a finger since to help anyone – not in high school or college. Unfortunately, forcing a kid to “do good” doesn’t aways have the desired effect.</p>

8

<p>Get off of cc and don’t come back until junior year- honestly, this site is really really unhealthy</p>

9

<p>gibby,</p>

<p>I understand. My sons had been doing “community service” since they were little. Just never called it that, nor counted any hours. Just part of life. The whole experience of fulfilling “community service” requirements was demeaning, and produced a great deal of cynicism for all of us.</p>

10

<p>@hypscm: I’m only asking for advice to be a better student. Sorry?</p>

11

<p>It’s a slippery slope. Just do what you’re passionate about. That matters the most</p>

12

<p>I think what hpyscm is getting at is that you should not worry so much as to what we on CC think, as to what you love to do. If you do what you love to do, and do well in it, then when you have taken all of your SAT2s and SAT/ACT, then we on CC can give you feedback. Although I do understand that you would like to get any input as far as what you are doing, and what you could improve. And props to you for being motivated and focused!! Best advice I can give/best advice I have received: Do NOT, NOT focus on what you think colleges want to see, minus standardized testing, do what you truly love and are passionate about. Best of luck in the future!!</p>

13

<p>Yeah that^. Lol</p>