Chances for a good student from a bad school?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hi everyone! I'm a senior at a so-so public school in Florida. Harvard is my first choice college, but I have no clue if I can get in. Is it a reach? A maybe? Thanks for your help!</p>

<p>Objective:</p>

<p>Gender: Female
Race: White
School: Public, average SAT scores around 1410 (all 3 sections!)
Intended Major: Political Science
SAT I (breakdown): 2220 (800 CR, 650 M, 770 W)
SAT II: Math IIC (750), US History (790), Literature (750)
Unweighted GPA: 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.746
Rank: 1/400
AP Tests: US History (5), Calculus AB (4), Microeconomics (5)
Senior Year Course Load: Economics Honors, Leadership Techniques (required by the magnet program I'm in), AP English Literature, AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, Drama II
I'm also self-studying AP Psychology, AP European History, and AP Macroeconomics
Major Awards: National Merit Semifinalist, AP Scholar</p>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Youth in Government (9-12): Political volunteering; run mock government at annual conference.
Positions: President (11-12), Vice President (10)
Awards: Outstanding Attorney, Best Bill, Runner-Up Outstanding Statesman (statewide awards)</p>

<p>Student Council (9-12)
Positions: Vice President (11-12), Class Treasurer (9-10), countywide student rights rep.</p>

<p>Academic Team (9-12)
Positions: Captain (11-12)
Awards: Florida State Academic Tournament--1st Place, Division I</p>

<p>Tampa Model United Nations (9-12)
Awards: Runner-Up Best Delegation (11), Best Delegation (9-10)</p>

<p>Packer Advisory Committee (9-12): Club plans and runs an annual leadership conference for 150 local students.
Positions: Executive Director (11-12); Executive Board (10)</p>

<p>Volunteer/Community service:
200+ hours working as a docent at a local history museum (gave tours, etc.)</p>

<p>Summer Activities:
Florida Girls State and Girls Nation. Won a few awards at Girls State, and was one of two girls chosen to go to Girls Nation.</p>

<p>Thanks for chancing me!</p>

2

<p>Harvard is a reach for everyone, but you clearly have the stats to apply. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Thanks! Anyone else?</p>

4

<p>Stats-wise you are qualified, but that gives you only a nine (9%) percent chance of admissiom so it would be wise to consider applying elsewhere as well.</p>

5

<p>Your in the same situation as I.
Crappy public school in Central Florida.
My school offers few ap courses and the average sat score is so low,
because half of the student body don't even bother with the test.
My advice to you is to get more extracirriculars and apply for as many scholarships as
possible. Also if possible squeeze in another ap course. Have a killer admissions essay and excellent references.
kudos.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the advice, everyone! Any last-minute suggestions before I send in my app?</p>