<p>I am a Pakistani-American,male, came to United States four years ago, and am a Permanent Resident.</p>
<p>IB Diploma Candidate
3.7-3.8 UW 4.0 W
ACT: 32
SAT: 690/680
SAT II: U.S. History 740, World History 720, Math 2 700</p>
<p>News Editor of my school newspaper (one of the best in nation)
In all three honor societies (not a big deal at my school)
Raised 30,000 for tsunami
Founded a program that helps immigrants assimilate
Have done PLENTY of tutoring (inner city, elementary schools, my school etc)
Model U.N., Math team (highest score), First Place Science Fair, Second Place in Regionals, Young Democrats (President), did a lot of campaigning and registered over 500 people to vote.</p>
<p>So, these are some quick facts about me. DO I have a shot at Harvard? Should I apply EA or should I just apply Regular? Are my chances better at Princeton ED or Havard EA? Does EA really boost your chances???</p>
<p>Best chances are DEFINITELY ED at Princeton! ACT is ok like an SAT of 1420 comparatively. ED show much more interest because you say that you WILL enroll if accepted and that shows much interest! The EA pool at the H bomb is RUTHLESS according to what I heardand they only select more people because of their STELLAR credentials.</p>
<p>we shouldnt be deceived by numbers here. hardly anyone gets rejected ED princeton, but 88 percent of the deferred get rejected RD. Also, the ED pool there comprises of a bunch of athletes and prodigies. look and see where u fit. If i were you, got Harvard EA or maybe even stanford EA (u will know if u stand a decent chance aft december cuz loadsa people get rejected EA)</p>
<p>Annandale--I don't think you are a very strong candidate, but if you emphasize your immigrant status and tie it together with all your community service in your application so that it appears that this is what defines you, you might be okay.</p>
<p>"These are w/o ANY prep..."</p>
<p>I never get why a person would take the SAT without prepping and claim that he is going to prep later. Why not wait until you're ready to take the test and then plan to only take it once? Besides, the College Board really doesn't need any more money. ;)</p>
<p>You have a shot, but not a very good one. Your test scores certainly won't make you stand out as a top applicant, so you will have to emphasize your more unusual EC's. If you personally raised 30 G's for tsunami relief, that could help you. Also, the fact that you are an immigrant helping other immigrants to adjust to life in the U.S. could help. Pakistani isn't really a URM so that probably won't help much. I wouldn't emphasize the honor societies as everyone more or less is a member. In my opinion your probability of admission is 15 plus or minus 10%, depending on your essays and what not.</p>
<p>Yes, it's the test scores. They are significantly below average. Anyone who is not an athlete, URM, legacy or special candidate needs to be significantly above average in terms of scores. Raise the ccores and highlight the immigrant program rather than putting it below honor societies (which are not going to impress at Harvard) for a shYYot.</p>
<p>thanx suze....that's why i said in paranthesis "not a big deal", basically anybody can join it. You just need a B or something, and you don't do much in them either. This list was not in the list of importance.....just a list.</p>
<p>I really appreciate your help guys. I am gonna work hard now to get my scores up. I am procrastinating so much. I have TONS of summer homework, and I have yet to start (school opens Sep 6).</p>
<p>Raised 30,000 for the tsunami? I'll have to say...that shows a lot of dedication and initiative! And the immigrant assimilation program sounds neat. <em>thumbs up</em> Your ECs are interesting, but raise your SAT.</p>
<p>Your scores aren't good enough; your GPA isn't good enough; All of your ECs are common, except for raising 30,000 for the tsunami. That will probably help.</p>
<p>I would recommend applying regular decision to Harvard. Like Byerly has stated here numerous times, an EA application significantly raises the chances of the candidate being accepted into the college. </p>
<p>However, you want to use that on a school where you have a solid chance at, not one that (at this point at least) is a stretch.</p>
<p>Of course, if your standardized test scores rise high enough, you will have a much better opportunity.</p>
<p>Also, you might want to elaborate on what precisely "Math Club (highest score)" means.</p>
<p>Geeze, does anyone else want to kill a spirit? We don't have to be so blunt about it.</p>
<p>I'm sorry, annandale, but from what I've seen Ivy averages above 700 scores, in the middle to upper range. I will not agree they're "significantly below average," they're dang good for most places. If you get that 750 plus, that's great, but the GPA is low for Ivy league. Are you dead-set on a big place? There are lots of LACs where you would be on the top of the list.</p>
<p>guys, thank you so much for your feedback, I really appreciate it. I am thinking of applying ED to Princeton...I have heard that you get a better boost there because its binding.....besides, I like the score too.</p>
<p>My SAT score is slightly below their 25%, however, my ACT score is about the same as Harvard/Princeton's median.......so will they ignore my SAT score and look at the ACT, or will they still look at both? I am hoping for a 750+ score this October, hoprfully my ACT will go up too.</p>
<p>What sounds more impressive.....the program I founded to help assimalate immigrants (teaching parents about American education system, registering to vote, taking students on museum tours etc), or raising money for tsunami (Voice of America did my interview for it).</p>
<p>I am still not sure which activity to pick for my essay.</p>