Chance me.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I know I probably suck; but please be serious:</p>

<p>Currently starting in 11th grade
Gender: Male
GPA: 3.5 (as of now)
Class rank: 22/225 (school estimated)
Curriculum: Honors, AP, and required classes (stupid ones that were NOT my choice, hopefully people will see that)
APs: Spanish Lang. (self-studied), Spanish Lit. (self-studied), World History, Chem
Probable APs: Physics, Calculus, English Lit., Italian, (maybe French, Music Theory, and Studio Art all 3 self-studied)
School type: Public, but I'm poor in a rich town
Location: Suburban Boston
Ethnicity: Latino
SAT - Have not taken
SATII - Planning on Chemistry, French, and <em>suggest one?</em>
ECs <em>future clubs planning from grade 11</em>:
Spanish Club (9, 10, 11, 12)
Math Club (10, 11, 12)
Italian Club (11, 12)
Community Club (11, 12)
Community Service: English teaching to Spanish speakers (11)
Work: none
Sports: none, but considering fencing for 11
Recs: Italian teacher loves me (known me from 10), history teacher is OK with me (9), my counselor hates me so much she skips my appointments with her and is "suddenly busy" when I had a session scheduled/ I am worried about her (9,11 (she left but came back)) :(</p>

<p>Let me tell you something about my school. I know Harvard doesn't care, and I don't blame them because I have to be myself regardless of my wishing for university acceptance. I am a Latino who moved from the "ghetto" to the suburbs. I do not fit in at all in this school. My school has the "privileges" of free sports, but the people do not like me at all that I seriously do not even bother to try out. Besides, I suck at sports. My school gives letter grades on gym, which is horrible when no one passes you the ball or you get picked last on any team and the teacher is "buddies" with skanky classmates. Thus, I get a D in gym because I don't act like everyone else. I would have to take private fencing classes (which my parents would just get deeper in debt, besides, my school doesn't offer fencing). The clubs I go to I endure, because I am also lonely there. I love it when we go to other schools though, because some are in the inner-city and I know people there. It's always nice to see them :) I know, I sound like a crybaby, but my only real friend in the school is my Italian teacher (in which I hope they do not cancel Italian AP). She said that she noticed the way to have friends in that school is either by money, being "friends" with everyone (as in fake), or to have prior "relations" with others. I know, that things like this happens everywhere; but there are family problems too. God. Sorry I went off on a tangent. Just tell me what you think, sincerely.</p>

2

<p>Ok. Here is the deal. Getting into Harvard is hard enough when you do belive that you have a shot so it becomes even harder if you think that you "suck" in your case. Before you even apply you need to ask yourself : Why do I really want to go to Harvard? Be completely honest. Is it for the name, family pressure, oppurtunities , or something deeper. That D in P.E. is really going to hurt and trying to explain it may not do any good just shoot for amazing grades for the next two years. If your counsel hates you... change... start slowly talking to someone else in the office and then slowly transition to that person. Some people may think that is a crazy tactic... but I'm telling you it works. </p>

<p>I can't really give you a picture of if you'll get in because you are only a rising junior. You have alot of time to master the SAT's and or ACT's and boost up that GPA. Get involved and if you can't find something you are passionate about inside your school, start something in your school or in your community. </p>

<p>Come back in a year and then people will have a better chance of giving you a slightly realistic chance in a students perspective. Ohh and take either Math 1 or Math 2 .</p>

3

<p>You can explain your stuggle to adjust to a new school as reason for your D in gym class by sending a note from your guidance counsoler. As for dealing with her, you have two options: 1. you swtich GC's, or 2. you suck up to the one you have.</p>

<p>Just continue to take as many AP classes as you can cram into your schedule, study hard for your SAT's, and try to show your passion through your extra-curriculars. Because you have so little information (being a rising junior(like me)), my only comment is that your have to significantly improve your EC involvement. I think that the community service is particularly compelling, and I strongly encourage you to begin fencing (it is my sport as well). But in general, you need to find more activities that interest you. Also, your race will help raise your chances of your admittance as latinos are considered an under-represented minority. </p>

<p>I agree with lingotjuice, have a little more faith in yourself!</p>

4

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>I'm just worried because I can only do so much, you know? I'm really trying my best and sacrificing lots of things. Harvard, I like it because of its prestige (and I went to the summer school and got a C and A in the courses I took) and I loved it when I visited it.<br>
I just hope they'll even consider me; I know the worst thing that they can say is "no".
Thanks you two.</p>

5

<p>


I was just rereading this. And I was wondering, how will that help?? Would a counselor really (basically) "bad-mouth" her own school?? I highly doubt it, and I wouldn't kiss her you-know-what just to get in. I have dignity you know!
Thanks again anyway :)</p>

6

<p>
[quote]
I was just rereading this. And I was wondering, how will that help?? Would a counselor really (basically) "bad-mouth" her own school?? I highly doubt it, and I wouldn't kiss her you-know-what just to get in. I have dignity you know!
Thanks again anyway

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well, that depends on how well you know your guidance counselor, but I know that mine would be more than willing to trash my school if it meant getting accepted to Harvard.</p>

7

<p>Well, as I said, my counselor pretty much doesn't want to see me. And she sided with this teacher who insulted me let go because "it was beyond her power", and that was total BS.
Do you think I could ask one of my teachers explain instead? Coincidentally, my Italian teacher's friend is the aunt of my old gym teacher's wife. I do not know if that'll help though.</p>

8

<p>dude, you're going to take the FRENCH SATII??? its HARD, believe me. i was in AP last year i still only got a 630. I'm going to take it again this October, but still. STUDY HARD, MAN.</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
I was just rereading this. And I was wondering, how will that help?? Would a counselor really (basically) "bad-mouth" her own school?? I highly doubt it, and I wouldn't kiss her you-know-what just to get in. I have dignity you know!
Thanks again anyway

[/quote]
</p>

<p>She wouldn't be bad-mouthing your school. The note would just explain that you had a difficult time adjusting to the new school and that caused you to get a lower grade than what is normal for you. I know that in your mind, you think that the school is responsible for your D grade in gym because of their grading system, but you need to let go of that. </p>

<p>As for your guidence counselor, if you really think that she wouldn't write you a note to help you get into harvard than I strongly suggest that you try to switch counselors.</p>

10

<p>I thought SATIIs and APs were similar... they are not??</p>

<p>As for my counselor, I guess I'll be better safe than sorry and be nice to her.</p>