Chances (for a Canadian applicant), please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I've resisted from asking for evaluation of my chances for a long time, because I see there are SO MANY amazing people here on CC with much better stats that I do. But now that I've already submitted my application, I'd like to know if I actually have a shot at it?</p>

<p>Asian </p>

<p>HARVARD RD</p>

<p>Academics:
GPA: 4.00 UW (Canadian schools don’t do weighed GPAs, although I took all “Gifted”, “Enriched” or AP courses throughout high school)
SAT I: N/A
ACT: 32
SATII's: 780 Math I, 800 Chinese, 740 US History, 680 (ouch) French Reading
APs: Psychology 5. (Current-year APs: Human Geography, French [lang], English [lit + lang], Statistics, Calculus AB) </p>

<p>*ECs *
In school
Symphonic Band, Gr. 9-12, Section Leader
Orchestra, Gr.9-12, Concert Master every year
Flute Choir (Founded it, also served as the director, music arranger, and conductor of it)
Political Affairs Club, Director in Gr.9, President in Gr.10
School Newspaper, Gr.9-11
Provincial Trivia Tournament, Gr.10-12
Math Club, Gr.9-11
Mentoring (I’m a mentor for Gr.9 classes, sort of like a Prefect), Gr.10-12
Peer Tutor, Gr.10-12
Debate Club, Gr.10-11
Empowering Student Partnership (largest student-driven safe school program in Canada), Gr.10-11</p>

<p>Outside of School:
- Toronto Youth Cabinet (official youth advisory group to the Toronto City Council), 2003 - 2006
- Southern Ontario Model U.N. Assembly (largest model UN for high school students in Canada), 2004, 2005, Head of Delegation
- Ontario Young Liberals (youth wing of the Liberal Party of Ontario), VP of riding club, 2004 - 2006
- Toronto Youth Concert Winds, 2005-2006
- Ontario Model Parliament 2005, 2006</p>

<p>*Activities that MIGHT be a bit special (although when comparing to Harvard’s applicant pool…I know it’s, like, nothing) *
- District co-chair on the official School Board-wide student council that represents over 86,000 high school students in Toronto. I personally oversee the student councils in the 25 high schools in my district.
- Co-organized a national youth cabinet conference for 3 days in Toronto
- Invited to lunch with the Prime Minister of Canada (BRIEFLY mentioned this in one of my essays)
- Doing a mentorship project with a psychology professor at the University of Toronto</p>

<p>Volunteerism
- Classroom assistant with the Special Education Program for developmentally-delayed students
- Library Page at the school library, Gr.9-12
- Senior’s Residence</p>

<p>Work Experience
- Camp Counsellor in Quebec, as part of a summer work/language exchange.
- Law Clerk at the Provincial Court of Justice (as a summer co-op student)</p>

<p>*Awards *
Highest GPA in the entire grade, every year since Gr.9
Honour Roll for every term
Canadian Mathematics Contest, School Champion every year since Gr.9
Math Department Award, Gr.9, 10
Science Department Award, Gr.9
English Department Award, Gr.11
Business Department Award for Financial Accounting, Gr.11
Science Department Scholarship for Excellence in Chemistry, Gr.11
Royal Conservatory of Music, Gr.8 violin with honours</p>

<p>OTHER FACTORS:
Essays: One about my experience volunteering in the classroom with developmentally-delayed students, one about how I overcame the experience of being severely bullied upon immigrating to Canada in Gr.5 (both were oriented towards my passion in community service)
GC REC: almost all “best in career”s, although the evaluation letter had grammatical mistakes (lol)
TEACHER RECS: a lot of “best in career”s, but they wrote very technical stuff (since teachers at my school are not familiar with US university applications at all à nobody has applied to the States in the past 3 years)</p>

<p>Sorry for making you guys do this before New Year's Eve (when I'm sure you'd rather be partying and trying to forget this awful application process). I'd really appreciate any feedbacks! Thanks!!</p>

2

<p>By the way, I did not put everything that I posted above in my application (thought it'd look cluttered)...I just chose a few big ones and elaborated on them. </p>

<p>Also, I'd like to know if the 680 on SAT II French would look really bad - I AM taking AP French, and a lot of people think all Canadians are bilingual (even though that's not the reality)?? (Although I have no intention to retake it)</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

3

<p>hmm. this one is a toughie. at first i thought reject, but then i saw the "might special" section. at least a waitlist. MAYBE an acceptance. really depends on how you presented your highlight activities.</p>

<p>also, harvard highly discourages taking a SAT II in your own "foreign language" (go look at the website). in other words, your 800 in chinese is pretty much worthless.</p>

4

<p>I know about the Chinese SAT II, that's why I took a 4th subject test. I knew the Chinese won't be counted, but I thought it'd might look good/be counted at the other schools that I'm applying to.</p>

<p>And, if you don't mind, may I ask what made you think I'd be rejected by Harvard? Don't get me wrong, I REALLY don't expect to get in. I just want to know what are my weaknesses. :)</p>

5

<p>What was your role at pan-canadian?</p>

6

<p>Dionysus,
If I remembered correctly, you are from BC. Judging by how specificly you identified the conference to be, I say you must've been there in Toronto in June.</p>

<p>And to answer your question, I was one of the 7-or-so people who organized the whole event.</p>

7

<p>So...any comments on my chances?</p>

8

<p>u'll get in for sure</p>

9

<p>i agree with the above comment.</p>

10

<p>Hmm...seems like only Canadian posters are giving me flattering comments... I'd really like to hear what those in America would say about my chances (since you probably are more familiar with the system)!</p>

11

<p>you'll get rejected</p>

<p>seriously though, dude, stop bumping this thread. you have submitted your app. some people have already told you their opinions. what do you want? a boost in ego? people to tell you that your life sucks? sorry, this is NOT the place for either</p>

12

<p>let's be nice guys... happy new year!</p>

<p>clearly this is a great app. good luck</p>

<p>my app is like yours except worse :D</p>