Coming from a lower-caliber high school

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>Although I am thrilled on my acceptance to Harvard, I am a bit apprehensive in regards to fitting in with students from very strong prep schools. I attended an all-girls catholic school that has a wonderful humanities program, but not a very rigorous math and science curriculum. We have had two students attend Harvard in the past four years, as well as two students accepted for 2012. Can anyone speak about the adjustment from a relatively non-competitive high school, to an Ivy League University? I am confident in Harvard's admission committee, and I doubt that anyone would be accepted that could not handle the workload…in fact, I am looking forward to the challenges that I will have to confront. Still, it would be nice to hear about others experiences.</p>

<p>Thank you =)</p>

2

<p>There are math and science courses on many different levels. The biggest problems I've seen are with kids who don't know how to write a research paper. Harvard doesn't accept anyone that they don't think can do the work. Just be sure if you are having difficulties to get help sooner rather than later. The Bureau of Study Counsel is there to help you. It might make you feel better if you could talk to the students from your school, I expect if you talked to your administration they would tell you how to get in touch with them.</p>

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<p>Wow thanks mathmom. I'm in the same situation. Except I attend a public school in Florida where the grade inflation in some classes is ridiculously high (a 54 in AP Physics can get curved to a B) and I'm very worried about the level of difficulty at an Ivy League school, let alone Harvard.</p>

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<p>Want2b - My Ds attended a rural county HS that has low achievement statistics in a state that itself tends to rank low on national measures of educational accountability. The older one is a soph at H, and is doing very well academically, but tells me that the experience has demonstrated to her how much she missed from an educational standpoint compared to those from the very rigorous schools. It's made her aware that she has some catching up to do, but I think that the H admission is based in part on the demonstration that you have the ability and will to rise above previous limitations. My sense is that you can do the catching up there without being left to drown in a workload that you can't handle. In short, reflect on this phrase - 97% graduation rate.</p>

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<p>Once again, we appreciate all the positive input. It is definitely putting our minds to rest.</p>

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<p>My D also came from a very middle of the road public high school so we were concerned that she might be overwhelmed at Harvard, but on the contrary it is challenging in the very best sense of the word and she is so happy to finally have access to the sort of learning that wasn't available in her school. She has made many friends from all sortsof backgrounds and is involved in many ECs as well. I think you can trust that if you are admitted, you will thrive there...</p>

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<p>My sister-in-law came from a lousy public school in Florida. It didn't help she turned out to have an LD in languages. She flunked a couple of language courses before being excused from the requirement. She had a hard time writing lots of long papers, but ultimately did graduate I think she even pulled off a cum laude.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for your responses. It is a relief to hear that some incoming students feel the same way that I do! My high school was wonderful in preparing us for writing and research...our English department is excellent and demands 7-15 page papers throughout the high school career, complete with proper citations and submission to turnitin.com! So in that arena, I think I should be fine. It seems help is available when one needs it, which is also a great relief!</p>

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<p>Once in Harvard some student take easy courseit while other take avery hard course load. Somepeople take math 19 andsome goes andtake math 55. similarly some take easy econ course andsome take very hard course. All of them graduate. If you want to take easy course and have higher GPA (many student do it) you will do fine. But ifyou want to challenge yourself, then take the path and explore what makes you tick. Taking hard course at graduate level is very demanding but you learn more. Do not worry, majority of harvard student focus is extracurricular activities that allows personality development rather than bookish knowledge. It is well worth it.</p>

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<p>I had the same background as you did, just 20 years ago. In my experience what happens is that the humanities classes and social sciences are great, but I really suffered in math and science. Since I had been the top of my class at home, it was hard to realize I couldn't do the work in college. If you are planning on staying in math or science, I would try to get extra help over the summer or once you are there. You are less prepared, but the admissions office thinks you can do it!</p>

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<p>Grejuni makes a great point. If you want to concentrate in the humanities (or social sciences, for the most part), a weak science/math background won't be a problem. You can take (I'm serious here) "The Magic of Numbers," "Dinosaurs," and "Time" to fulfill your requirements.</p>

<p>But, if you're interested in being a math/sci concentrator (or a premed) it might be beneficial to do some prep work over the summer. The intro life sciences sequence is a bit of a "one size fits all" so it can be daunting to someone who's barely taken chem. Similarly, there's a great math track for those who haven't taken calculus (Xa/Xb), but it takes up some time!</p>

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<p>OP: If your school is sending two other people to Harvard this year and has sent recent people to Harvard in the last couple of years you don't go to a low caliber high school.</p>

<p>A low caliber high school is one where only about a quarter of the students graduate and those that do attend community college.</p>

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<p>how are you from a lower-caliber high school when your school has that kind of harvard-acceptance history</p>

<p>my high school has had one harvard acceptance in its entire history. most public schools have no one ever attending a top 10 school</p>

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<p>Yes, I know that the phrase "lower caliber" is not extremely accurate...but I couldn't really think of another way to explain my situation in post title. In terms of most high schools in this country, my school is probably extremely qualified in terms of academics and opportunities...in fact, it is a college prep school. Hence, the low-"er" part. I think that for every brilliant student admitted to Harvard from a struggling school, there must be some from top prep academies, specialized high schools, and even boarding schools with the best teachers and the most challenging courses. The students that currently attend Harvard from my high school came back on a visit and expressed concern over the math curriculum, feeling that it was inadequate preparation. I am doing quite well in my courses now, but belief the expectation is not at all comparable to those at neighboring schools…like Bronx High School of Science, Marymount Academy, or Stuyvestant. It’s difficult for me to gage, since I did well on the math portion of the SAT and my school does have a good track record in terms of admissions. I guess my anxiety comes from my comparing my homework and tests with those of my peers at other high schools. I wouldn’t want to have to desert my interests in math and science merely because I wasn’t exposed to the material and standards of students coming with very strong math/sci backgrounds.</p>

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<p>One though you should try to realize is that Harvard is a big place. From your post, it sounds like you're prepared academically to do well, period. However, if you're asking whether or not you'll be one of the top students in the Harvard math/science department...well, if you have to ask, then probably not. This isn't too discourage you, but one of the major adjustments of coming to Harvard is that chances are, you're not going to be the top scorer on the difficult math test, but you're going to do fine in the math class even so.</p>

16

<p>Virtually all incoming students have some apprehension about whether they are good enough to survive at Harvard. That was the case decades ago when I was a student, and it's the case now. </p>

<p>For instance, I remember that one of my classmates entered Harvard at age 16 with soph standing, and afterward went to Harvard med school and became a surgeon. When I ran into him about 20 years later, he told me that he almost had dropped out of being premed because he thought he wasn't smart enough! He was surprised to learn that his fellow students were awed by his presence at Harvard at age 16!</p>

<p>Another classmate was the 3rd generation of her family to go to Radcliffe, and her mother was high in the alumni association. Decades later, my classmate told me that she, too, had apprehension that she wasn't good enough!</p>

<p>Remember, too, that Harvard says that last year 90% of Harvard applicants qualified for admission based on their stats. Also something like 97% of Harvard students graduate from Harvard within 6 years. The people who don't are the (few) who decide to transfer, get married or do something similar. </p>

<p>Everyone who gets in has the ability to handle the work. Certainly students will enter with different levels of prep. For instance, I went to one of the best high schools in Upstate N.Y., the kind of place that students at other schools would virtually genuflect when they heard the name of our school.</p>

<p>Senior year, we had to do 10 page research papers, far more than what students at other local schools had to do. Then, at Harvard, I met prep school students who'd had to write 50 page research papers.</p>

<p>Yes, they had better prep, and had been exposed to some things that I had not been exposed to, but I was smart enough to catch up on the things that I hadn't been taught in h.s. The same is true of you.</p>

<p>In addition, I guarantee that there will be some things that you know about life, ECs, and/or academics that your classmates won't know. That's the beauty of the wonderful diversity of Harvard's student bodies. Everyone has something to offer and to gain from being there and interacting with the other students.</p>

<p>Enjoy!</p>