Chances me please? (easy to read format, so come on in!)

<p>Decision: Still Desperately Wishing</p>

<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown):2350 (M: 780, W: 800, CR: 770)
NOTE: This score is "superscored". I took the highest score from each of the sections from all the SAT's I have taken (three). I have done this because it applies to Harvard's SAT policy. My highest single sitting score is 2280.
[li] ACT: Not Taken[/li][li] SAT II: [/li][list]
[li]Math IIC (780)[/li][</em>]US History (770)
[<em>]Biology Molecular (7**30)
[</em>]Literature (730)
[<em>]Physics (700)
[/ul]
**NOTE
: Will retake Literature in December, hoping for a 770+
[li] Unweighted GPA: 4.0[/li][li] Weighted GPA: 4.67[/li][li] Rank: 1/322[/li][li] AP Tests: [/li][ul]
[li]Biology (5)[/li][</em>]European History (5)
[<em>]US History (5)
[</em>]Calculus AB (5)
[<em>]Physics B (4)
[</em>]English Language/Composition (4)
[<em>]World History (5 - self studied, if that means anything?)
[/ul]
[li] IB: None taken[/li][li] Senior Year Course Load: [/li][ul]
[li] AP Calculus BC[/li][</em>]AP English Literature/Composition
[<em>]AP Macroeconomics
[</em>]Journalism
[<em>]U.S. Government
[</em>]Peer Tutoring
[/ul]
[<em>] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
[ul]
[li]National Merit Semifinalist[/li][</em>]AP Scholar w/Distinction
[/ul]
[<em>] Other Awards/Honors:
[ul]
[li]California Southern Baptist Convention Youth Bible Drill (2nd in state)[/li][</em>]Boy of the Month
[<em>]Essay published in anthology
[</em>]Poem published in anthology
[<em>]Selected as Senior Graduation Usher
[</em>]Nominated for Pepperdine Youth Citizenship Seminar
[/ul]</p>

<p>[/list]Subjective:[ul]
[<em>] Extracurriculars:
[list]
[li] School Newspaper (11-12, only upperclassmen allowed on staff)[/li]Positions: Editor-in-Chief, Staff Writer of the Year
[</em>] Student Council (10-12)
Positions: Senior Vice President, Junior Treasurer
[<em>] Interact (9-12): Community Service Club
Positions: Senior Treasurer
[</em>] Associated Student Body (10-12)
Positions: Homecoming Committee
[<em>] Tennis (JV: 9-10, Varsity: 11-12)
Positions: 2nd singles every year
[</em>] Asian Culture Club (10-12)
[li] California Scholarship Federation (9-12)[/li][/ul]</p>

<p>[<em>] Job/Work Experience: Babysitting (I put it as Childcare Assistant --> LOL!); quite a bit of work though (25 hours/week for summers 06-07)
[li] Volunteer/Community service: 500+ hours total[/li][ul]
[li] Covina Library Summer Reading Club Assitant[/li][</em>] Covina City Hall Human Resources
[<em>] Covina Parks and Recreation
[</em>] City of Hope
[<em>] Union Rescue Missions Trip
[</em>] Many, many Interact service projects
[/ul]</p>

<p>[<em>] Summer Activities:
[ul]
[li] Asian American Journalists Association - J Camp (pretty competitive to get into)[/li][</em>] California Golden Boys State (city Councilman)
[/ul]</p>

<p>[li] Essays:[/li][ul]
[li] Personal Statement: On my best friend, how we fuel each other intellectually (like to debate about philosophy)[/li][li] Short Essay: On my passion for journalism, school newspaper</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]
[li] Teacher Recommendation: "One of the best students in my career" sort.[/li][li] Counselor Rec: Very good[/li][li] Additional Rec: From my journalism/student government advisor (same person, coincidentally) about my contributions to the newspaper/class of 2009</p>[/li]
<p>[/list]Other[ul]
[li] State: CA[/li][li] School Type: Public[/li][li] Ethnicity: Asian (Chinese <-- NOOOOO!)[/li][li] Gender: Male[/li][li] Income Bracket: 60-70k[/li][li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Not too priveleged area, last student to get into an ivy league was 5 years ago. One student got into UCB last year. One.[/li][/ul]</p>

<p>Reflection[ul]
[li] Strengths: test scores? gpa?[/li][li] Weaknesses: um, recs? essays? who the hell knows?[/li][/ul]</p>

<p>NOTE:Please chance by saying super-reach, reach, mid-reach, low-reach, match, etc.
[ul]Feel free to suggest any schools that you think would fit my profile well! Thanks![/ul]</p>

<p>Don't be afraid to be brutally honest! I appreciate all input! :)</p>

<p>You have a really good shot.
You are what Harvard would consider a very very well balanced student. </p>

<p>The thing is that they look for students who are:
1. Very well balanced (30%)
2. Very good at some sport (30%)
3. Insanely intelligent (30%)
The other 10% is legacy and other stuff.
- Harvard Rep. </p>

<p>But, you have got a very very good chance. </p>

<p>Choose something that you love to talk about in your interview.</p>

<p>@S.Hasnoo</p>

<p>That part about the percentages is really interesting info. Did you really hear that from a Harvard Rep? Because if it's true, then I am very much encouraged.</p>

<p>I was really thinking that I wouldn't get in because I wasn't "insanely intelligent", with awards like Siemens, Intel STS, national competitions, etc. But now that you say they still look for well balanced, not just well lopsided, I'm really encouraged.</p>

<p>Can you confirm where you got that info, please?</p>

<p>Harvard is a super-reach for just about everyone. Your stats are fine. It's really going to depend on some kind of intangible feel that your application has based on essays, teacher and GC recommendations. So you are match, but realistically Harvard is a reach.</p>

<p>I'm not so sure about those percentages (I've read 10 to 15% for legacies for example), but it is true that all those types are well represented at Harvard.</p>

<p>hmm, very interesting.</p>

<p>imma gonna do some research about this whole % thing. I thought they weren't supposed to have like...quotas and such..</p>

<p>Anyways, what did you guys think my chances were? haha</p>

<p>to the OP: it's spelled "privileged"</p>

<p>
[quote]
2. Very good at some sport (30%)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Is it really that much? How many varsity athletes can there be?</p>

<p>@aznfishy: whoops! haha. thanks for pointing that out :)</p>

<p>@databox: i agree, 30% JUST for athletes?...</p>

<p>guys, come on. Those percentages are BS and we should all know that. It is about 70% minority status/athlete/legacy, and the rest if you're smart/well balanced which most applicants are. Of course the reps are going to tell you that stuff, but frankly, it is foolish to apply to Harvard if you are NOT well balanced and intelligent, and many many applicants are good at a sport. Granted, they could pull out the argument that every percentage point on that "scale" matters, but the first 3 30%s aren't what get you in unless you are truly exceptional.</p>

<p>so, anyone else want to help chance me? :)</p>