Chances of getting into Harvard University

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hello all, I am a senior who is applying for Harvard University (regular decision). My teachers and counselors all have very mixed reviews of my chances, so I thought I might ask about them here. I am Chinese, and attend a relatively high-standard international school in southeast Asia. I was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at age 3, with an IQ of 82. Three years later I was diagnosed Asperger's with an IQ of 98. My last major diagnosis was at age 9, with PDD-NOS and an IQ of 109 (more about all that stuff later) Here are some stats about myself:</p>

<p>Cumulative GPA: 3.49
9th Grade GPA: 3.06
10th Grade GPA: 3.70
11th Grade GPA: 3.72</p>

<p>SAT I (12th grade): 730 on reading, 740 on writing, 690 on math, total 2160
AP World History Exam (10th grade): 5
World History SAT II (10th grade): 800
AP US Government Exam (11th grade): 4
AP Comparative Politics Exam (11th grade): 5
AP European History Exam (11th grade): 5
US History SAT II (11th grade): 750
English Literature SAT II (11th grade): 740</p>

<p>In terms of clubs, the ones I have committed to the longest were Model United Nations and Debate. I became a club leader for the former this year, and have won many awards in both. In addition, I am scheduled to be President of the Security Council in a major Model UN conference next February. I am also leader of the Opera Club, but it's not as intensive as the other two.</p>

<p>My greatest asset however, is my life story. As said earlier, I was diagnosed with autism, and had to rely on therapy and support for much of my earlier years. I gradually became more independent between 4th and 8th grade, and now I'm pretty much on my own. It is very rare for someone with autism to be able to do this. Furthermore, I work with an autism organization where I live, and have made presentations about my experience with autism to classes at my school, workshops for parents and teachers, etc.</p>

<p>Oh, and my dad went to Harvard. So perhaps that legacy will help ;) ?</p>

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<p>What is your class rank (your GPA is rather low for Harvard)?</p>

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<p>Would colleges legitimately take it into account if you were last diagnosed with these ‘autistic’ disorders at age 9? I don’t really know about these things, but I myself was diagnosed as being ‘mentally ■■■■■■■■’ when I was almost 8 (LOL). Just because a child displays certain odd behaviors or scores not so great on tests or can’t keep focused when they are young, doesn’t necessarily translate to when they’re older. But I’m not sure if colleges will look at it in such detail. Honestly, often times these disorders are often just a way of explaining someone who doesn’t focus well or doesn’t interact well socially etc. But I don’t know for sure. </p>

<p>Based on how you explain it though, it seems as if most of your personal growth was in your younger years. Colleges generally care more about your time in high school. Obviously you are a capable test taker (still low for Harvard), so you’re intelligent in that sense. But at the same time your GPA is extremely low and your ECs are weak, so I don’t know how colleges will interpret this.</p>

<p>Also, ArtsyGirl13 is correct in asking for your class rank. I think something like 96% of those admitted are in atleast the top 10% of their class. Those that aren’t are recruited athletes, URMs, or have truly extraordinary accomplishments. Plus, you are an international, which doesn’t help your case. And I hope you’re not a ■■■■■</p>