<p>At first, I am currently 14 years old, I'm Brazilian, and was wondering to know about Harvard.
What is needed to go study there?
I have a couple of questions about admissions.</p>
<p>I- The grades here, at least in my school, It's by numbers, 10 it's something like A+ or A, 9 A- or B, the system i'ts diferrent, how to preceed to get GPA?</p>
<p>II- I need to do SAT and ACT? I know how to do the SAT here in Brazil, in the Col</p>
<p>I- Ask whatever official at your school what it might be; if nothing else, contact Harvard and ask them how they would calculate it. Either way, Harvard will understand your GPA system, so no worries.</p>
<p>II- You only have to pick the ACT or the SAT. I recommend practice tests to gauge on which test you do better. Also, remember to take at least 2 Subject Tests. I don’t know how you should register for your tests in your country, but a safe bet is checking out the websites for the college board and the act. Also, remember that you may need to take the TOEFL, but I’m not really sure, so look into the requirements. </p>
<p>III- Honestly, do whatever you want to. I think that colleges respect achievement in a couple areas of true engagement, not people doing things because they think it will get them into college. It’s easy to see laundry lists of EC’s on this website and think that that’s what is necessary to get in, but those lists are easy to see through, especially for admissions officers. They like to see people who truly care about their activities, make a major impact on their community, and who are recognizably talented.</p>
<p>IV- Okay, join Interact if you want to, but if you truly feel alienated by the people, then join another community service club or project, or start your own if you have to. Chances are that if you feel alienated enough not to join, then there are other people who have as well.</p>
<p>V- Your grades from middle school don’t matter, only high school. So, forget about the past, and do your absolute best during high school.</p>
<p>VI-Honestly, just enjoy your life. If Harvard happens, then so be it, but don’t just do things to get into Harvard. There are plenty of other schools where you could be just as happy, and don’t hope too hard for Harvard. Look for opportunities and take advantage of them. By the time you apply, you might be looking at a 95% rejection rate, and it would be best to not only look into safety schools, but absolutely adore your safety.</p>
<p>Thank you so much!</p>
<p>I - Your school will provide their system of grading with the school report. You don’t need to convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale or 100 point scale; Harvard will be able to understand your grades based on your school’s system.</p>
<p>II - You can take either the SAT or ACT, but you don’t have to take both of them. If the SAT is easier for you to take, then take that test. You also need to take 2 SAT Subject Tests, which are 1-hour exams in specific subjects like Physics and Literature. You will need to schedule those tests in addition to the SAT.</p>
<p>III - The word “extracurricular” means “outside of class”, so an extracurricular is an activity that you participate in besides the classes you have every day. It could be anything, like sports, music, volunteering, or any activity. Do what you like, try to be a leader in your activities, and succeed at them.</p>
<p>Speaking multiple languages is great. It would be a good asset to your application if you are multi-lingual. I would suggest you take a widely-spoken language, like French or Chinese.</p>
<p>IV - It’s okay if you don’t do that club. Find an activity or service club that you like, where the people are nice to you. You don’t have to be in that one specific service club, just be in any service club.</p>
<p>V - Definitely not too late. Harvard only looks at your grades from high school. Your middle school grades won’t matter, and they won’t show up on your school report that gets sent to Harvard.</p>
<p>VI - Write good essays for your applications. Find teachers that would write good Teacher Recommendations for you. If you can make it to the United States, visit Harvard and take a tour of the campus. Do very well in school and do well on your SATs. But don’t look at JUST Harvard. There are hundreds of other great schools. Besides, Harvard’s acceptance rate was only 6.3%, and it is falling every year. Your chances of getting in will be very small, so look at other schools in case you don’t get accepted.</p>
<p>Thank you so much too!
About prizes/awards, I have 4 medals of best redaction and one which the school participated against other schools, and won, I was in the team.
I think it helps.</p>