Chance me Please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I just received a letter from Harvard in the mail about how they have recognized my accomplishments etc. I'm sure it's just something generic that a lot of people get, but I thought I'd put out a chance thread. </p>

<p>Not sure if you apply directly for a major or just into the school, but I would eventually major in Environmental Studies. </p>

<p>Age - Upcoming senior
Sex - Male
Ethnicity - Caucasian
$ Bracket -Middle
Intended Majors - Environmental Engineering (or ChemE at schools that don't have it)
State - Illinois
School Type - Medium/Large Public (somewhat competitive)</p>

<p>HARD STATS!
UW GPA - 3.99/4.0
W GPA - 4.99 (school has weird weighted system)
Class Rank - 4/500
SAT - taking in june
SAT Subject Tests - USH 740 - took Math II, Bio e/m in june
ACT - 35 (33 E 36 M 34 R 36 S)<br>
AP - Human Geography (5) USH (5) - Took AP Lang+Comp, AP bio, AP Macro, AP Environmental science, AP Comp Gov, AP US gov in may - Senior APs - AP Physics C E+M, AP Calc BC, AP Chem, AP European History</p>

<p>Schedule:
FRESH
Honors English A-/A-
Honors Geometry A+/A+
Honors Biology A/A
CP Western civ (world history)A+/A+
Engineering and Design/Piano I A/A+</p>

<p>SOPH
Honors English II A/A-
Honors Alg. 2 + Trig A/A
Honors Chemistry A/A+
AP US History A+/A
Auto Mechanics A+/A+
Spanish I A/A</p>

<p>Junior
Spanish II A/A
Pre Calc Honors A+/A
AP US Gov/AP Macro A+/A+
AP Biology A/A
English III A/A
Honors Physics A/A</p>

<p>English IV over the summer</p>

<p>SENIOR
AP Chemistry
AP Calc BC
AP Physics
AP European History
Spanish III honors
Music Technology/Greenhouse</p>

<p>EC's
Soccer - Varsity since Freshman year, started every game, Regional Champions (9), Conference 2nd place two years in a row, All Conference, All Sectional (10), Team MVP (10), Possible All State by senior year
I've competed in national championship tournaments with my club team, but I am not at recruitment level. I will probably be captain of the school team this year</p>

<p>Mathletes - 2 time individual regional champion, 2 time state qualifier, vice president (11), President (12), 2 time individual conference champion, all conference</p>

<p>Freshman Class President</p>

<p>NHS president - 11/12</p>

<p>Student Council (9, 10)</p>

<p>Scholastic Bowl - JV (9, 10, 11,12) Capt. both years of JV team, capt. varsity</p>

<p>I played travel soccer for 8 years, went to nationals in florida twice, went to state championships twice, currently play for club team outside of school</p>

<p>Science Club member</p>

<p>Mu Alpha Theta Member</p>

<p>Honors/Awards/Etc -
Soccer All conference
Soccer all sectional
Soccer team MVP
Soccer freshman of the year
Mathletes multiple conference, regional awards, state qualifier
Mathletes all conference
AMC 12 - 108 (AIME QUAL.)</p>

<p>Summers -
I spend a lot of time volunteering for JDRF - juvenile diabetes research foundation because I am a type 1 diabetic. I participate in the JDRF walk to cure diabetes and I host a garage sale every year in which all $$$ goes to JDRF. Overall I have made over $10,000.</p>

<p>Rec's - Will get one from soccer coach, mathletes coach/math teacher, and AP US/AP Euro Teacher
Essay - Don't know yet</p>

<p>Strength's - Soccer, GPA, ACT
Weaknesses - lack of big awards</p>

<p>Can I use diabetes as a hook?
I will probably write my essays on it</p>

<p>I can't think of anything else, so what do you guys think?</p>

2

<p>To attract the best possible student body, Harvard mails tens of thousands of letters to students whose test scores indicate that they could be the kind of students whom Harvard wants to admit. Most students at Harvard received such invitations. However, probably most Harvard rejects also received an invitation, so don’t assume that getting a letter means anything.</p>

<p>Your stats and EC’s indicate that you are certainly qualified. However, much depends on your teacher recommendations, essays, guidance counselor’s secondary school report and how they stack up against other students who have similar stats. You are definitely in the ballpark – beyond that, no one can truly say what chance you have. Best of luck to you in the admissions process.</p>

3

<p>Thank you. I figured that they send letters to everyone, and I didn’t really think much of it. It just kind of pushed me to post on this message board.</p>

4

<p>I wouldn’t worry about any perceived lack of awards.</p>

<p>Continue to be do well in school. Maintain your participation in sports. Remain committed to community service. If you manage to do these things, you’ll do quite well with the college app process. You seem like an interesting kid – just the sort of person that a competitive school like Harvard would want.</p>

<p>In your personal statement, write something that really reflects who you are.</p>

<p>Good luck with your application.</p>

5

<p>You certainly have a chance, but Harvard’s letter means nothing in terms of how much they want you. They send those out to receive more applications = application fees and to boost their selectivity rating. But don’t get me wrong, you actually have a chance and it will come down to your essays, recommendations, etc. Work very hard on your essays and get great recommendations.</p>

6

<p>Thanks, cortana. I know, I didn’t really make a big deal of the letter when I got it. I know more apps means more money (not that they need any). Also, I figured it out when tons of kids from my school started posting that they got the letter on Facebook.</p>