<p>No, I'm not a feline (see Castiel's "Chance me for 2015 admissions PLEASE! WILL CHANCE BACK!NO I WONT BUT CHANCE ME ANYWAY" post), but I'd love to see what my chances are for Harvard. (PS, if you are wondering, this is a friend's account, but I am lucky to use it)</p>
<p>ACT: 30
SAT IIs: US History (730), retaking Math II
GPA: 3.8/4.0 (unweighted); 4.3/5.0 (weighted)
Ranking: 60/614
APs: Euro (4), US History (5), Spanish Lit (2...do I put this on the application?), Enviro (4), English Lang (4)
APs this year: Human Geography, English Lit, Gov, Psych, Statistics</p>
<p>ECs: Journalism (10th), Help out at Church (9-12), Volleyball Club (Secretary 11th), Volleyball (9th and 11th), Africa Club (10th), After-school tutoring program (11th-12th), Competitive Volleyball (won'te get recruited, but I play about 2 hours a day, which adds up), Summer Internship with a local newspaper</p>
<p>Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
State: California (Southern)</p>
<p>Any help from y'all would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Weak chance, given what you’ve shared. Your ACT score is below Harvard’s 25th percentile, and well below average for unhooked acceptees. Your class rank is also lacking. Do you have any leadership positions beyond the secretary position for Volleyball Club?</p>
<p>silverturtle summed it well but I will add that not only are you not part of the hooked pool but you are in the dime-a-dozen white male californian pool. It will be a very competitive pool and there will need to be something compelling about you in order to be admitted. So not impossible but truthfully unless your profile changes by the time you apply then your chance is low.</p>
<p>Well if it helps i’m also the captain of my competitive volleyball team. And I will be retaking the ACT, hopefully getting atleast a 32. My essay explains my passion for journalism (not sure if it’s another dime-a-dozen, but it fits well with my internship), so I don’t know if maybe that will help. </p>
<p>Oh and thanks for the feedback. Keep me in your prayers as I’d still love to attend Harvard</p>
<p>I give presentations for a Harvard peer. I tell families and students that if they are known by the HS teachers and principal as one of the handful of top scholars, then they are in the ball park.</p>
<p>My tacit implication is that: if not, then not. A 30 or even 32 ACT isn’t very realistic w/o another stupendous hook.</p>
<p>Regardless, you seem to have had a great HS career and I would imagine, you’ll be very successful at whatever college you decide to attend.</p>
<p>you need a 2400/36 or nothing. I’m not going to sugar coat, thats pretty weak for a harvard application. you have a slim to no chance of getting in. you need much more rigorous AP’s (AP Bio, chem physics, calculus). and nationally acknowledged societies would help too, such as Mu Alpha Theta, Beta, and National Honor Society.</p>
<p>Teachers talk among themselves a lot – to the point that even the principals etc would know. They know the handful of real scholars – and not just the kids who grind out for top grades.</p>
<p>The MAIN problem isn’t your overall profile; it’s the competition you’re going to be up against. You’re a white male from Southern California, so your rivals, so to speak, are going to be beasts. Your stats indicate that you have what it takes to do well at and beyond Harvard, but they have a limited number of places, and as it stands, the reality is that there are applicants from your area that are simply better than you. As such, I have 3 recommendations:</p>
<p>1- Try raising your ACT score to a 32-36 (or try the SAT for 750+ on each section)</p>
<p>2- Try looking for something that you can present to an adcom that will make you
irresistible.</p>
<p>3- Consider other schools (even ivies) that you will be happy to attend.</p>
<p>By all means, though, do apply to Harvard and cross your fingers. Good luck.</p>