Chances? (Please don't shoot me)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Please bear with me on the length of this post; I greatly appreciate anyone who will take the time to help me out and give me some advice. I have my Harvard interview coming up, and I honestly started out with the attitude that it was just for fun and I wasn't going to get in, but after researching Harvard heavily to have some speaking points with my interviewer I absolutely fell in love with it beyond the prestige factor and would greatly appreciate chances. It's my biggest dream ever to go to Harvard, and I know my SATs are on the low side of the applicant pool, but are my ECs strong enough to get in?</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>SAT: 2080 (730 CR, 640 M, 710 W)
SAT Subjects: 780 US HIST, 600 Lit
GPA: 3.9 (unweighted, my school doesn't do weighted)</p>

<p>I also take college courses at my community college as an early admissioin HS student. I'll have like 24 credits by my senior year in HS. My school did not offer AP which is why I was accepted into this program, but they just recently added AP Calc BC which I am now taking and have an A in.</p>

<p>My college GPA is a 4.0</p>

<p>ECS:</p>

<p>Journalism/Media:</p>

<p>Wrote for my local community newspaper, the Gettysburg Times - Youngest Columnist ever, also did monthly blogging</p>

<p>Intern for another paper called Evening Sun Newspaper that has a circulation of 20,000 and is an award winning newspaper in the community, as a newsreporter and video editor, also their youngest reporter (first person to do videography for their website ever and the first 5 videos on their site were all mine)</p>

<p>Began my own business at age 16 (still running, its a multimedia, family history dvd business, has turned profit, and been recognized by local media) As a part of this business, I have interviewed many WWII vets, some Holocaust survivors, and other very interesting individuals. I have donated some of these to the local historical society to preserve our town's history. I also won the Girls Going Places National Award in recognition of this accomplishment. The profit from my business allowed me to become the youngest ongoing financial contributor to NOYS the National Organization for Youth Safety (something I am passionate about)</p>

<p>Presented to many businesses in support of my own business, including the Veterans Affairs department in Washington DC, United Way, and College Business Seminar. I was recently asked to present to the Young at Heart group at a local church.</p>

<p>Washington Journalism and Media Conference (includes meeting with local congressional rep, maintaining a blog, and learning about the field of journalism)</p>

<p>I began my own blog that had 2,000 hits within first few posts. Was such a success that my newspaper editor decided to add it as an addition to our websites blog, and I now make money off of my posts.</p>

<p>Political:
Videographer for the local democratic AND republican committees
Founded community chapter for teen politics
Participated in local elections with 50+ hours of volunteer service, handing out literature, going door-to-door, etc.
Was invited by my representative as the honorary teen guest to a Republican dinner
Have met with my representative on several occasions (and was told that I would be his first choice if I ever applied for his college internship program)
I also cover politics in my blog, and for the newspaper</p>

<p>Other:</p>

<p>President of the National Honor Society (we are a very active group with many service projects and activities). As President, I organized a book drive that collected well over 1,500 books, and have given speeches for new inductees at the induction ceremonies.
Volunteer service:</p>

<p>Volunteer:</p>

<p>Penn - Pal to prison inmate program
Volunteer service at United Way and YWCA
Began community/school supply drive titled Students Helping Students, collected and distributed 100 full supply kits to associated charities</p>

<p>Awards/Other Achievements:</p>

<p>Student of the Month at high school
Student Presenter/Guest Speaker at community college
Principal's award at HS
Dean's List at College
First in 2 of my college classes
Student of the Month by Evening Sun
Phi Theta Kappa Nominee</p>

<p>I plan to studying political science/government, and participate heavily in journalism and political related activities in college. I would love to either go directly into politics or report on them. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Jesus Christ, man, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.</p>

3

<p>First reaction:
OMG. You’re amazing!!! Don’t worry I say…</p>

<p>Thought-about-it reaction:
You have fantastic extra-curriculum in my opinion, if you have a lot of passion for all these subjects (and let your interviewer know it) it will probably overshadow your SAT scores. If you’re still worried, Harvard always said they don’t want perfect scoring students, they prefer interesting students.</p>

4

<p>Thank you so much you guys! The ECs I have the most passion about are my media and politics experiences, and especially my business! I did prepare a portfolio with all of this, but would that be overkill to take to the interview? </p>

<p>I am so excited that you think I may have a chance. When I first applied, it was out of fun, but I’ve grown obsessed with the idea of getting in (by some miracle). I’m trying to force myself to be content with the idea of not getting in, but it’s really difficult as hope kicks in :D</p>

5

<p>People like you make my to be application look bad :frowning: God dam you…</p>

<p>Although seriously best of luck, I wish I had half the EC you do :D</p>

6

<p>Smd if you really don’t think that you have a chance. You’re golden</p>

7

<p>Wow thank you everyone! I really thought my chances were pretty much unlikely due to my SATs, but you gave me a boost of confidence for my interview this Saturday. Best of luck to you all as well :)</p>

8

<p>ECs make you golden. Increase the SAT just in case, but you are VERY competitive as it is.</p>

9

<p>Good luck on your interview!</p>

10

<p>Honestly, you have what it takes, but remember, Harvard gets enough qualified applicants to fill their school three of four times over. They could accept a completely different class of kids from the ones that they picked and no one would tell the difference. </p>

<p>Part of it is hard work, and you’ve got that down. The other part is luck and that’s a crap shoot for anyone.</p>

11

<p>Dude, you are so golden.</p>

12

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<p>I agree, and I definitely wasn’t expecting anyone to tell me whether I was a shoo-in, just whether I have any chances whatsoever. I am so excited about all the positive responses as I thought my SATs might have put me in the automatic reject pile. You guys gave me some hope! Thanks :)</p>