Chances for a freshman who screwed up freshman year and wants to apply to Harv

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>First of all, thank you for taking the time to read this. Sorry for the lengthiness of this post.</p>

<p>GRADES: During 7th grade I took living environment which is included on my transcript since its a high school course and got an 85 in the class. I got a 79 on the regents. In 8th grade I took living environment again because apparently there was a mess up in the system. I got an 87 in the class and 88 on the regents. I also took algebra in which I got an 86 in the class and 81 on the regents. </p>

<p>During freshman year of high school I got:
(English)First semester: 83<br>
Second Semester:90</p>

<p>(Physical Education)First semester: 85<br>
Second Semester:85</p>

<p>(Global)First semester: 98<br>
Second Semester:97</p>

<p>(Earth Science) First semester: 90<br>
Second Semester: 91</p>

<p>(Spanish)First semester: 90<br>
Second Semester: 95</p>

<p>(Geometry)First semester: 85<br>
Second Semester: 91</p>

<p>(Graphics and Design)First semester: 98<br>
Second Semester:95</p>

<p>The reason for upwards trend in the second semester (Well for most classes at least) is because my mom finally saved up enough money to buy me glasses that i couldn't afford and needed since 5th grade I haven't had an issue with any subject so far. However, I got my glasses in late May so I wasn't able to improve my grades enough. Now that I have my glasses, I understand everything . I don't know if I have the Dunning-Kruger effect going on and I'm actually dumb and think I have potential when I actually don't.</p>

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<p>EXTRACURRICULARS: I only was a library intern (Everyday I gave up my lunch period and volunteered from January 31st until June 10th) for 9th grade and I am going to do this for the next 3 years. That'll be approximately 250 hours as a library intern. As for the rest of my high school career I have 3 more years to accomplish the following: I'm going to focus on my passion for arts (beauty) and volunteering. For arts (beauty): Fashion with a Purpose club, Fashion Cares club, Fashion PBIS store, cosmetology club, and I might even start my own club where I want to design clothes and donate them to charity which I'd be a founder and president of. As for volunteering: NYC Service, Alter girl, fundraiser, blood drive volunteer at local church, Build houses in Fiji and Costa Rica as well as helping kids learn over the summer. I will also be taking CollegeNow courses starting sophomore year until senior year. As for jobs, I'm going to work at Chop't Salad junior and senior year. Oh! I forgot, I'm also going to join National Honor Society from sophomore to senior year and hopefully become president.</p>

<p>*I got turned down when I applied for a new high school ( better reputation than my current high school) because there weren't available seats AND I got rejected from a Stony Brook University geoscience program. I feel so stupid and I just want to cry forever, but I'm trying not to. I got rejected of course because of my first semester grades. I feel so unintelligent since kids at Harvard probably have never been rejected by anything and I have already been rejected by 2 programs.</p>

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<p>HOOKS: I'm Hispanic by the way. (URM) and I think I'd considered a first generation student. I'm not sure. My father (Mexican) didn't even finish high school and never went to college. No money at all. My mother (Ecuadorean) went to a community college for a year and dropped out.</p>

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<p>Okay, so I had a very difficult middle school life (7th and 8th) and freshman year with terrible eye sight and my mom couldn't afford glasses for me since she's broke. She makes $26,000 a year and pays $1,200 monthly rent. That's $14,400 annually only on rent. Also, my parents are divorced and I receive only $300 every month from my father for child support. I'm most fixated on Harvard University by the way. I'm fixated on Harvard because of its urban setting . I am used to it since well I live in New York City. Also, the financial aid. I want to go to a private school because of its smaller classes and with my income , my mother won't have to pay for anything. I want to go to a university with dormitories because I'm tired of being alone every day. I get home from school and no one is home. I sleep all by myself and I feel lonely. If you go through it you can relate and it's really depressing. When I wake up my mom is there, I see her for 30 minutes and then she has to go to sleep in order to function to go to work. I have no siblings. I see my mom on the weekends , but rarely because she has to sleep and I have classes to prepare for regents. I want to be somewhere where I can have people there for me and where I can afford it. If I go to other schools I'd have to pay and I don't want to be in debt. My mom has been in thousands of dollars of debt because when my parents got divorced my father left. We were about to move into a shelter because she couldn't afford rent. Every bill including my fathers phone bills and his friends and every electronic owned was under her name and she made even less at the time. My grandmother took us in and we lived in a small 8 by 5 foot room. My mother and I. I never had my own room until I turned 15 ( which is now) . Sure it's lovely , but guess what now I have wait until Christmas or my birthday to get a few shirts and pants. That's why I'm so fixated on Harvard. I want to be where there's many bright kids who worked hard throughout their life just like I did. I didn't eat for 10 hours everyday just to afford the eye doctor and then I had to do this for another few months to buy an actual pair of glasses. I've tried to get health insurance , but I guess my mom just doesn't know the right people or doesn't try for me because she's stressed from what we've been through. I hope that such bright students can help me blossom into someone optimistic.Also, I've been there and the student body is kind and welcoming. I haven't encountered any unpleasing students. Everyone there is talented and unique. I'm special when it comes to dancing. I want to be accepted as a unique individual and feel welcomed into something in life. I've never really felt that feeling anywhere. My dad was embarrassed of me and never pushed my stroller (not even once). When I lived in Georgia for a month since my moms friend was helping her out, I didn't feel welcome. When I went to first grade at another school, I was bullied at first. In middle school , I was bullied too. Now in high school, I don't really talk to anyone except about 10 people since I come off as that shy and quiet girl . Little do they know why I'm this way. I'm afraid of showing who I really am because I don't want to face what I had to with my dad. By the way now my dad and I are okay. I see him twice a year :) after begging him multiple times and persuading him that he's busy. Now he's a busy man since he's a disc jockey and has 3 kids (not including me) and a wife. I feel that if he wasn't alive I'd feel better (not because he's dead) but because that why I'd know that he doesn't choose not to see me like the way he does now. </p>

<p>All of my friends and people who I have told my story to told me I should write a book about my life story and publish it. People who've read that small part of my life said my story is, "inspiring." Some people said I have even made them appreciative of what they have.</p>

<p>PLEASE , I am really inspired by you and your accomplishments, I really just want to know:</p>

<p>-Should I give up on Harvard, NYU, Duke University, UChicago, Stanford, Georgetown, Columbia, or Washington University in St. Louis or should I just give up, honestly?
-Should I publish a book on my life story?
- Will a 4.0 average the rest of my high school career put me back in the competition for Harvard?
- Would a 2100+ SAT score be too low? I'm not sure if I'd be able to pull of a 2200, however I practice for it everyday (Since beginning of 9th grade).
- Am I considered a first generation student?
- What steps should I take in order to be as competitive as other students?
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR READING THIS!</p>

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<p>I FORGOT! I will also do volunteering at a Jewish Medical Center from Sophomore year until Freshman year. Every Tuesday and Thursday for 4 hours. Also in the summer!</p>

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<p>I really need a detailed response. Thanks to anyone who actually takes the time to read this :).</p>

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<p>Bump…</p>

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<p>Based upon ur experiences, do not give upon any of those school, colleges always look for improvement, if you maintain 4.0 for the rest of H.S. you’ll have a shot. Since you are hispanic, if you can keep that SAT or get a lil higher, you will have a shot through affirmative action. Consider taking subj sat’s</p>

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<p>The reality is that HYSMC Schools look for the “extraordinary” student. You’re a below average student, definitely not what HYSMC schools are looking for. All of your classes are basic, below average classes with little to no rigor. Unless you up your game EXPONENTIALLY, you don’t have a shot.</p>

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<p>Xiomara, you have drive and motivation and you are obviously an exceptional student. You have already overcome a lot of adversity in your pursuit of academic success. I suggest that you take full advantage of this website. Even when you do have adults in your life who know about admissions, it still helps to have another listening ear. There is a lot of wisdom here and a lot of practical advice.</p>

<p>To start…You will find other bright, hard-working kids at other places besides Harvard. The point is not getting into Harvard. It’s getting into a school that you can afford, that will give you an environment where you will thrive, and where you feel accepted. There is no one dream school. There are however many many colleges/universities where you will be challenged, and find kindred spirits.</p>

<p>Second, look at the Questbridge website. It is meant for low income highly motivated students, and it prioritizes first generation kids though not exclusively.</p>

<p>Third, start educating yourself about the college search. Take a book outof the library, for example, the Fiske Guide. Look for another one on how to pay for college. Start NOW. You will be glad you did.</p>

<p>Consider women’s colleges – the best ones have higher acceptance rates than their peer institutions but just as good financial aid. It sounds to me like you should focus your research on need-based aid schools.</p>

<p>Are you a rising junior? Don’t worry about scores and grades you “might” get. Work super hard junior year and as the information rolls in (grades and scores) revise your search accordingly. </p>

<p>Good luck, Xiomara! Keep visiting this website – it will help!</p>

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<p>PS – Sorry, looks like you are a rising sophomore. Work hard! It is a good sign that you are starting to think seriously about your college search already. Actually it is already time especially if you will need to look outside of the family for extra advice and if financial strategies are going to be an important factor.</p>

<p>Another PS – New York has a program called HEOP which is only for NY state students. Look into this as well. It is kind of hard to figure out so spend some time on it, and ask about it. Be sure to start your research now so that you get an idea of your options.</p>

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<p>@PurePhysics I go to a regular , public school and it’s vocational as well. Everyone takes the same classes and we don’t get to choose our own schedule such as your school allows you to do so. Also, I don’t know if you read my entire post, but I was nearly blind so I learned everything only by listening and by peers. My mom can’t afford a tutor. Now that I have glasses, I’m sure I’m going to do better in all of my classes. Sorry I’m not as exceptional as you claim to be. I’ve read through your posts and I’m not even sure if you’re a ■■■■■ or not because you claim to be a 9th grader in one post and a 12th grader in another. Therefore, I’m not going to take your opinion into consideration. However, thanks the time out if your math-based life. :)</p>

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<p>Physics is a ■■■■■. He once said he was a freshman in one thread and a graduating senior in another. He’ll be rejected from all Top Ivies and have his ego shattered. Because they have a great overabundance of math nerds applying.</p>

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<p>@originalguy609 He seems impressive, but you never know. He could be exaggerating. Also, I don’t think his “nerdiness” will get him rejected, but the way his personality is showcased by what he posts. That is if he gets an interview and acts the same way (egotistical).</p>

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<p>Xiomara,</p>

<p>I hope you can open these links. If not, copy them into Google. Being a NY state resident gives you the chance to try for the Higher Education Opportunity Program. </p>

<p>For now you should look at your income eligibility. Eventually you will need to figure out how to use the program best for your own situation (based on scores, stats and specific schools). Each college chooses its own recipients but the state funds the scholarships. They are usually even more generous than what you would get at a school like Harvard! That’s because there is no expected family contribution and loans are capped. The support and academic advising services are geared to first generation students, who get extra attention to be sure they succeed. I can’t recommend this program enough, it is a lifesaver for kids who need it! </p>

<p>And…there are tons of schools, from Cornell University to lesser known, much, much less competitive schools. So chances are you can find several that match your academic ability, once you get your GPA and scores established.</p>

<p>[Higher</a> Education Opportunity Program (HEOP):KIAP:NYSED](<a href=“http://www.highered.nysed.gov/kiap/colldev/HEOP/]Higher”>Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) | New York State Education Department)</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.highered.nysed.gov/kiap/colldev/HEOP/documents/HEOPProgramRoster-2011-2012WEBVersion.pdf[/url]”>http://www.highered.nysed.gov/kiap/colldev/HEOP/documents/HEOPProgramRoster-2011-2012WEBVersion.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>@momcinco I will definitely look into the program. Thank you very much for advising me of such a wonderful opportunity ! :)</p>

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<p>2 Words Affirmative Action</p>

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<p>Actually just to be clear, HEOP and Questbridge are not “affirmative action” programs in the way this term is commonly used. They are for highly-motivated low-income students, no matter what background, and you must be both of those, meaning highly-motivated and low-income, to even be considered. They accept a disproportionate number of URM but this is because URMs are disproportionately low-income. What I would like to point out is that no matter what ethnicity/race a student is, both of these programs are especially eager to help first generation college students. </p>

<p>HEOP is an extremely selective program but again it offers many many options because its partner list includes schools of varying levels of academic difficulty. You can get into an Ivy (Cornell) if your stats are good enough…or a less competitive private school if your stats hit it right. The key is forming a good list once you know what the program is like. And…including a state school (or two) as well in case you don’t get into HEOP.</p>

<p>Questbridge sets a much higher bar.</p>

<p>Xiomara you should study hard, educate yourself about thse programs, and keep them in mind as you continue your college search. Many posters on CC are extremely knowledgeable about both of these programs and in time you will see what your options might be. I am acquainted with HEOP so I would be glad to answer any questions PM.</p>

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<p>Thank you very much. I will pm you right now.</p>

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<p>To anyone who reads this in the future , please skim through it all.</p>