Do guys think by doing a research internship and being a USABO finalist, I can get into Harvard?
Is that enough prestige along with average gpa and scores?
Admissions is very holistic, and you definitely can’t bank on being a USABO finalist…are you a semifinalist this year or something, waiting for finalist results? But I mean everything aside, if you have all of the numbers and have the finalist status, your chances will definitely be higher than the average person. Not a guarantee though (recs, essays, interview…all have weight as well), but definitely will increase your chances!
No, not with “average” GPA and SAT scores, sorry.
Yes and how prestigious is semifinalist considered
Your screen name concerns me because you never want to be HPYS or bust. But, it says 2023 so you have two years to go, correct? You have plenty time to work on your test scores. What is avg GPA? Generic is not helpful.
Do remember that there are more highly qualified applicants than slots at every Top 20 university so reach for the stars but don’t lock in. A flexible mindset is helpful for college search and life.
Another post. I hope you will go back and read the responses on the other one. At this point, I would suggest you see a counselor.
when would the USABO open exam results come out? Would it make for college admissions for the current year?
Hate to be the voice of doom, but I think you’ll need better stats to have a chance unless you have a hook such as legacy, URM, or athlete.
Does an average athletic ability at tennis count for anything or do you have to be exceptional at it
Unless one is a recruited athlete, it makes no difference how good one’s athletic ability is.
It is a minor EC. unless you are a world/national champion in something it won’t make up for average stats.
Schools like HYPS really love USABO, UNSCO, etc… finalists. A finalist is a pretty big deal, but do make sure to support it with good grades, SAT scores and other materials. If you get a research internship + are able to publish or subsequently get to semifinalist/finalist level for Siemens, Intel ISEF, Regeneron, then you will be a very competitive applicant. I have many friends who were USABO finalists and most went on to great colleges.
Know that phrase,“The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club?” Well the first rule of aiming for a tippy top is to be the sort who can research and process some idea of what the TT college values and looks for. Then, do a little critical thinking to see if you really match. It’s not enough to just want X. Or really, really want it. Or to ask others.
For any college that values a high level of thinking, action, and achievement, you have to show you have it. Not some one piece you won, even if worldwide. Nor some usual student research. (Tons of kids do research or some work, especially when they want STEM.) They want to see the ongoing academic strengths, the real responsibilities you took on, how you work with others, and how you present yourself.
And plenty of kids cal their hs work “average,” when it’s much higher. Care to elaborate on that and your involvements through hs?
^^^ as Louis Armstrong said, “if ya gotta ask…”
@harvard2023 - each of these will help build your story, but none of these will help guarantee admission. I had all the ones you mention and more, plus great academics, still did not get into even a single Ivy. But I did get into a lot of other great schools. So, my suggestion is for you to continue working on your passion and to apply to some reaches, some matches, and some safeties.
If one is a USABO finalist, there is a good chance that this person is a male Asian American: https://www.usabo-trc.org/2016-national-finalists
Among the 20 finalists, 3 are females, 18 are Asian American, and 15 are male Asian American. A similar pattern exists for some other olympiad teams. It will not surprise me that there are more than 100 male Asian American each year who are a finalist at one of these olympiads.
How many male Asian American Harvard is going to take in each year? About 150. I think it is simple math that a finalist is no way a guarantee for the majority of finalists.
Nevertheless, if the OP is a finalist, congratulations!
@pro2dad: I think your math is a bit off. According to this Crimson article, 22.2 percent of the admitted class is Asian American: http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2017/3/31/harvard-regular-admissions-2017, So, doing the math: 2056 (admitted students) times 0.222 = 456 Asian American students admitted to the class of 2021. That’s about three times your estimate.
@gibby The rough estimate is for “male” Asian American. I started with the number of enrollment, about 1600-1650, and you started with the number of acceptance, around 2000. I think you chose a more sensible base.
Suppose that we are willing to be off a bit and use 1600-1650. I deducted international students out to arrive at the number of domestic students. So we are talking about 1450-1500. Among domestic students, about 20-22% go to Asian American. So I came out a rough number of 300. I further assumed a 50%-50% split among males and females. It then gave me about 150 for male Asian American. Of course, it is a very rough number, but I think it would not have impacts on the point that I wished to make.
The article quoted 22.2% of accepted students are Asian American, and 11.4% of accepted students are international – that’s an unknown percentage of Asian international students in addition to Asian Americans. My guess just form walking around Harvard’s campus is that 20% to 25% of the student body is Asian, whether they are Asian American or from an international Asian country.
In any case, looks like OP is a soph. He doesn’t seem to have an idea what H looks for. That suggests he hasn’t dug in. No stats mentioned, a possible issue with the course spread recommended, we have no idea of ECs, so far. Just some claim to USABO, wants a reseach internship, says “average.”
It takes more.