Hey guys.
I’m a Korean girl that wants to get into Harvard.
I’m going into my senior year and I’m homeschooled. Do you think it’s a good idea for me to send an early admission to Harvard?
Scores:
Sat : (New) 1600 (800, 800)
Act : 36
SAT II : Math II (800) Literature (800) Bio (800) Chem (800) Physics (800)
AP :
Freshman year : N/A
Sophomore year : N/A
Junior year : Bio (5) Chem (5) Physics C (5) English literature (5) English Language (5) Calc BC (5) Statistics (5) Macroeconomics (5) Microeconomics (5) United States History (5)
Tofel : 118
GED : Took the Korean one and got a perfect score
Extra curricular activities:
Freshman year: Math club
Sophomore year: N/A (Not really much but I started a fund raising thing in the summer and I still do it)
Junior year:
Founded a club. (President)
Volunteer work tutoring kids
Hospital volunteer work
Wrote 3 papers that was related to the field I want to study
Awards:
3 math competitions in Korea
Okay… I think the scores are pretty good and I know that I don’t have a lot of extracurricular stuff… but note that I live in Korea and it’s really hard to do all the activities American students do. And I know that I shouldn’t have done everything in my junior year, but I didn’t know that I was going to go to an American college. I think I have decent scores but since I’m homeschooled I don’t have a gpa so I can’t really prove how much I studied in my freshman year and sophomore year… I’m not sure but I’ve heard that my GED will count as a gpa? Also, I think my essays are really strong. I can’t post the topic for personal reasons but it’s like the best thing I’ve ever written. I have three essays though, all a very different topic so should I send in all three?
Can anyone tell me the chances of me getting into Harvard? I know it’s a reach, but do I at least have a chance?
Oh and maybe this will be a plus, I’ve lived half of my life in America and half of my life in Korea so I have very different experiences than the majority of people that are applying?
Oh and one last thing. Since I’m homeschooled I don’t have a counselor but I have other people to write my recommendation letters, but will that be a problem?
Things I didn’t include was that I’ve played the violin since I was five but I don’t think that would make a big difference because I didn’t do anything major related to it.
And I’m also going to take 7 ap classes in my senior year, but the ap tests are in May so when I take the ap tests college admissions would be over so…
You’re set with scores but the thing is that Harvard could fill its whole class with perfect scorers. Why don’t they? Because they want students who perform both inside and outside of the classroom. Many students applying will have the same test scores as you; however, their ECs will likely be much more competitive. I’d say that you should save your app for RD because although you are hyper competitive in your numbers, others will get accepted over you because of their ECs. If you write sensational essays, and truly believe that they are enough to get you in, apply EA.
And this is the big question: do you really want to go to Harvard? What makes it so much different to you than the other hundreds of schools that will give you merit to attend?
The chances are not good, but then they’re not good for anyone else either, save perhaps a prized athletic recruit, Nobel winner, head-of-state offspring, etc.
Be sure to apply to some matches and at least one safety as well. And if you would like to get into a highly selective school – for instance, top-20ish private universities and LACs – apply to several that you like and can afford. (the “like and can afford” advice applies to all apps)
Something is wrong with our admissions system clearly. People are saying the odds aren’t good, and most disturbingly, I don’t disagree with them. You have perfect scores on everything. I think they could well admit you as an academic person - your extracurriculars aren’t the most distinguished I’ve seen, but Harvard wants a diverse class and you’re the most competitive academically imaginable, or at least tied for it with a few others.
The odds are small for everyone, but I personally think you’ve got a shot. Your essays will have to be worthy of pulitzer prizes. Send a good arts supplement for violin if you can. Give them reasons to want you. Best of luck.
Internationals are limited to about 170 students for the entire world at Harvard. That doesn’t leave very many from Korea. Also Harvard doesn’t admit a lot of home schooled students. I think it would be very difficult for you to get admitted. Good luck wherever you get in .
@cutebunny00 You should definitely apply. You are a very strong candidate, you could get in as an academic super star even without any ECs. Good luck to you!