Chances for an Artist?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hi guys! Lately, I've been looking into H a bit. For some reason I always thought I had a chance at it's peer schools like Yale because I always believed unhooked H-acceptees to have numbers through the roofs, where as its peers were more holistic. So, chances?</p>

<p>SAT: a little over 2300, 12 essay
SAT IIs: My three add up to 2310/2400.
GPA UW: 3.83/4.00 (Coming from an easy public school, I had a little trouble with the new intense curriculum at my new private school when I moved after 9th grade. Equivalent of 7-8 Semester B/B+'s.)
GPA W: 4.5/4.7 (School only calcs for junior year, and my junior year GPA is of those who get into HYPS, etc, but also of those who get rejected. Basically, a very strong junior year in the context of my school)
Rank: None</p>

<p>ECs: Art (int'l shows where juries select work to be shown, a few int'l awards, national award, featured in an international publication, city-wide art activities, private lessons for years, many student shows)
2 Major (President) Leadership Positions in 2 Clubs
2 Minor (assisant leader/leadership board) Positions in 2 Clubs
(these five above are things that I'm passionate about. My essays tie them together)
Two Varsity Sports with state-wide recognition
Science Research
100 hrs Community Service
** I was a new sophomore. Will they account for that when evaluating my in-school ECs in terms of years of involvement and leadership? I had to compete with a lot of people, and though I do have leadership, I did get beat out by people who have been at this school for a lot longer than I have.</p>

<p>Supplement: Art portfolio for sure (PM me if it'll help you chance me. I can show you. IMHO, it's pretty good for a seventeen year old!), possibly an art teacher rec which would be amazing.</p>

<p>Recs: Should be strong, probably top 10% to top 1%.
Essays: Should be strong. My main one is about art and its connection to my ideologies and more importantly my culture. Essentially it's about my heritage (Asian), and something that almost every Asian feels but is hesitant to acknowledge, and of course, spun in a unique way. Is that bad?</p>

<p>Personal: Male, ORM (asian!)</p>

2

<p>I believe that Harvard is trying to improve arts offerings on campus and has initiated some new arts concentrations (majors), including visual arts. The head of Harvard has expressed concern that the campus has become a little too careerist (pre-law, pre-med, pre-business) and wants more diversity of interest, particularly in the arts. So, this should help you.</p>

3

<p>Thank you, compmom. I’m assuming that it won’t be a huge boost, but even small boosts are good.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any other opinions on how moving will affect me, and whether or not they’ll consider my achievements in context of that?</p>

4

<p>I believe that compmom’s point does have some value for you. At D’s high school, over 10 years 4 students have been accepted to Harvard. The first one, 9 years ago, I don;t know the details. The next, now a sophomore, is a recruited athlete. Last, year they accepted two. Both students are involved in the arts. The young man, does opera, acapella, theater, etc. My daughter is a musician and dancer. Keep in mind though that both of these students are involved beyond the arts including activities with leadership. They are also top ranked students. D is Val and the boy ranked third.</p>

<p>So now for you. In general, I think your application can have merit but I see two minor flaws. I don’t know how your GPA will impact you. Second, as an asian, you are also unfortunately part of a very competitive part of the application pool.</p>

<p>I am guessing that it is still very possible to get accepted. The things that will now make the most difference are your recommendations, your essays, and finally the interview. BTW keep in mind that, as I understand it, a rec from your art teacher needs to be a supplemental one and make sure that anything supplemental is not redundant. The two main recs need to be from major subjects.</p>

5

<p>Thank you, smoda61. That’s an interesting anecdote… none of the Harvard-acceptees at my school in the past few years have been artsy except for one (and we’ve had maybe 10-12 over the past 2-3 years)</p>

<p>Anyone know how the art supplement review process works exactly at Harvard?</p>

6

<p>You’re looking pretty good, good luck! =)</p>