Hello, my name is Nathan Koenig and I am a sophomore at a small high school in South Lyon, MI. I have a 3.9 GPA and my most recent PSAT score was a 1140/1520. I know, bad, right? So, I'm going to work all summer on this and a few other details that I'm about to get into.
To fix this mess of a PSAT score I bought an SAT book, I'm going to get a tutor, and I'm going to spend multiple hours every week this summer on Kahn Academy (not to mention help from my PHD, MD, etc. Harvard and MIT graduate father: which I know to him is fustrating to see his son as a natural born genius). Moving on, I have done a few extra cirriculars. I am in Key Club (volunteering) and I'm in Science Olympiad. I need to improve this so I plan on doing a lot next year and this summer (summer program at local college for learning coding, entrepreneurship, etc.). Therefore, I ask of anyone to give me tips on how to improve myself. However, that will not be my only topic of discussion.
I want to go to Harvard Business school or MIT for multiple reasons; mainly for their business and entrepreneur programs) and I have a few ideas in the works for this summer as well to set me aside from the rest of the pack. I'm planning on concieving a business this summer, I'm just not sure what type yet. I'm 15, but that doesn't matter at all. I'm thinking of starting a clothing line? Teach myself how to operate Photoshop, etc. Anyway, that's all I have to say for where I've gotten so far on my high school transcript.
Down to business... I'm a bit confused at the moment. MIT's acceptance rate is 7.9% as of 2016 and 5.4% for Harvard. That is disatisfying, thousands of perfect scores on SATs, ACTs, and GPAs being turned down! However, I'm an undaunted person, I'll take that on. But most likely I'll be turned down from that school and instead probably go somewhere like an NYC business college, California technical school, U of M, UMass, etc. So my main problem is what does it mean to go to college for undergrad and then to another college [or the same one] for graduates? Could I transfer from say UMass to Harvard or MIT if I do well there?
I appreciate all the help or criticism, as long as it will help me achieve these goals. For those like me, good luck and you will do amazing things.
You shouldn’t put your real name on this post … ask an Admin to edit it.
It is virtually impossible to transfer to Harvard or MIT.
That’s great advice about your name.
Anyway, your determination and enthusiasm are evident in your post. Those are really important qualities for anyone wanting to be successful. So that’s terrific.
If you end up going to Harvard or MIT, that’s great. Of course, they are exceptional schools . . . and extremely competitive. I like to cite this example. I visited a tip-top LAC a few years ago. Acceptance rate was 14% (lower now). At info session, rep said 70% of applicants were fully qualified to come to the school and succeed academically and otherwise. So, at the time, they were accepting 1 of 5 fully qualified applicants. The numbers at Harvard and MIT are much more daunting. It’s no reflection on the applicants who are denied, just a matter of supply and incredibly high demand. It’s the same dynamic that makes “Hamilton” tickets on Broadway so expensive.
I always like to point out, though, that there really are many, many terrific universities with amazing professors, staff, and students. The vast, vast majority of people who are successful–financially and otherwise–do not attend HYPS. Most of the wealthiest people I know–and they are wealthy–attended public universities, and not elite ones either.
Babson and Northeastern in MA are very entrepreneurial and terrific schools. I know someone who had a startup in the area and brought in some interns from Harvard. They were disappointed in their performance and instead started bringing in Northeastern students, who they found to be bright and hardworking. Santa Clara has a very good business school and is right in the middle of Silicon Valley (with internship opportunities). Weather is way better than in Boston. SMU has an outstanding business school. All of these schools are much more accessible than Harvard/MIT, though still competitive (and expensive).
Prestige is one factor in college selection, that’s true. I just tend to think people overweight it. That’s why there are so many applicants to a couple of dozen schools in particular. That’s why people apply to all eight Ivies even though a school like Dartmouth could hardly be more different than Penn and Columbia. All three could be ideal for specific students, but they are so different I can hardly think that is typically the case.
Fit is so much more important. What school really suits you (and is affordable)? What you do in the workplace after graduation is much more important than the name on a diploma. Work hard, embrace opportunities, learn from others, treat people with dignity and respect, and have some fun and take care of yourself. Those are the things that will win you the success you desire. Good luck!
Graduate school is not transferring. If you finish your bachelor’s degree with a good record at one school, it is often expected that you go somewhere else for graduate school to get a perspective on your field from a different faculty. However, it is still the case that a more rigorous undergraduate background will give you the most options for grad school.
Transferring is when you attend college for a year or two of undergrad, then try to go somewhere else to finish your undergraduate degree. Transferring up to an elite school is very difficult. You should build a good college list including reaches, matches, and safeties so you will get in somewhere you would like to attend for four years.
I’m not sure OP realizes he is talking about graduate school. So, OP, Harvard does not offer business as an undergrad concentration. They offer economics but clearly state that is not business. Excel at any college and you can apply for Harvard Business as a graduate student.
Back to college, starting a business is not a golden ticket to admission to a selective school. Don’t do it just for that reason.