Do I Have a Chance EA?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>Hey, everyone. I told myself I'd never do this, but with application season gearing up, I'd really like some thoughts on my strengths, weaknesses and chances of getting into Harvard (as well as other Ivies, Williams, BC, etc.). I do plan on Harvard EA. I know that has next to no bearing in admissions. </p>

<p>SAT I: 2340 (CR760, M780, W800), one sitting
ACT: N/A
SAT II: Bio 720, MathII 710
Unweighted GPA: 4.0
Rank: 1/262
AP: Bio (5), World (5). My school is quite restricted with APs.
Senior Course Load: Quite rigorous. APUSH, AP Lit, AP Calc AB, AP Stats, etc.
Awards: Harvard Book Award. A few smaller regional and school awards.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars/Work
-Four seasons of winter track, spring track, cross country (league all-star, varsity letters in all, school record holder, put a huge amount of time into this)
- president of class; involved in student government all four years
- music critic for popular blog
- 200+ hours volunteering at local hospital; have really loved my time here
- run small private tutoring business, ages 10-16, all subjects
- VP of school's NHS chapter; been a member for three years
- VP of school's Latin Club, been involved all four years</p>

<p>Essays/Recs
- Essays: have been written. Very well-written and give a good look into my thirst for knowledge. Doesnt come off as too pretentious and is quite funny. Common app EC essay is about my time in student council when I had to organize a dodgeball tournament. It's fun and shows my initiative. My supplement is a light essay about cross country and how it instilled in me a love of adventure.
- recommendations are coming from two of my favorite teachers(AP world and English) They're both fantastic writers and have high opinions of me. Very excited to read them. May get an additional rec from my track coach, who probably knows my character better than any teacher does.</p>

<p>Background
State: MA
School: medium public, usually gets about one ivy a year. Has sent students to H in the past ten years, but can count them on one hand.
Ethnicity: white
Gender: M
Income bracket: 150k+
No hooks</p>

<p>I regret putting the word chance in the title because, well, I know I have a chance, per se. I just would like some opinions on my app, what I should emphasize, what sticks out, etc. I appreciate any and all commentary. Thanks!</p>

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<p>I think you’re a very well rounded applicant. As you know, it is a tough call and impossible to predict. I think for you it will come down to essays and recommendations because you obviously have the stats.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>@msteiny1212: If you’re smart enough to have a 4.0 with a 2340 SAT, you should know: (a) you are a competitive applicant, and (b) your chances depend on how an admissions director feels after reading your teacher recommendations and essays and compares them to all other applicants.</p>

<p>I think Northstarmom said it best: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/835055-calculate-your-chances-admission-harvard.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/835055-calculate-your-chances-admission-harvard.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>"Because I’m a Harvard alum and have been an alum interviewer, I have been asked many times to estimate individual CC members’ chances, something that I do NOT do. However, as my holiday gift to everyone, I’m posting this so you can estimate your own chances.</p>

<p>Your chances of admission: about 7 in 100 (based on Harvard’s acceptance rate this year). If you’re an international applicant, your chances probably are less than that particularly if you come from a country like China, Korea or India, which has many outstanding students who apply to Harvard. Your chances probably are better than 7 in 100 if you come from a country that has few applicants to Harvard. You would know better than I would what those countries are. As is the case for everyone except probably the qualified offspring of multimillionaire donors, Harvard still is a longshot. Note: It’s also a longshot for legacies. Many excellent legacies are rejected. I even know URM legacies who have been rejected.</p>

<p>If you have posted a chances thread on CC or have asked CC members to read your essays, your chances of admission to Harvard are probably less than 1 in 100 because your behavior here indicates you lack the confidence and critical thinking skills that Harvard seeks. This is true even if someone on CC predicted you’d easily be accepted or said that your essay was amazing.</p>

<p>If you’ve chosen your ECs and summer activities by selecting things that you think will impress Harvard, your chances of admission are probably less than 1 in 500. Harvard wants students who follow their own passions, not students who try to fit themselves into a Harvard box or whose only passion is getting a Harvard admission.</p>

<p>If you’ve ever asked CC members what activities you should participate in so you can impress Harvard or other colleges, your chances of admission are probably 1 in 1,000. You lack the initiative, confidence, creativity, passion and critical thinking skills that impress Harvard admissions officers.</p>

<p>If you are taking notes on this post and while calculating your Harvard chances, you can stop calculating now. Your chances of admission are 1 in a million."</p>

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<p>Okay then. I stated I think I have a “chance” (5.9 out of 100, precisely) because I’m applying and I have grades that qualify me. What I was really looking for was an assessment that could elucidate any weaknesses I have, i.e. my so-so SAT IIs and my being a white male from Massachusetts. I guess I can’t always expect a balanced assessment, though, even from an online community that prides itself on helping kids who are college-bound. </p>

<p>Thanks for the post, Gibby, that’s certainly a valid point from Northstarmom. Such a shame that my chances are now only one in a hundred.</p>

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<p>“weaknesses I have, i.e. my so-so SAT IIs and my being a white male from Massachusetts.”</p>

<p>What can you do about being a white male from MA? Absolutely nothing. What is anyone supposed to say about that comment? </p>

<p>What you’re not understanding is that with your stats, your weakness will be your “character.” That’s an old fashioned word; it means the way you develop your inner qualities: intellectual passion, maturity, social conscience, concern for community, tolerance and inclusiveness.</p>

<p>Colleges learn about your character through your essays and, more specifically, through your teacher recommendations – and that outcome cannot be predicted or chanced. </p>

<p>See: [Guidance</a> Office: Answers From Harvard’s Dean, Part 3 - NYTimes.com](<a href=“http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/14/harvarddean-part3/]Guidance”>Guidance Office: Answers From Harvard's Dean, Part 3 - The New York Times)</p>

<p>"Recommendations from secondary school teachers and counselors are extremely important at Harvard and at many other colleges, particularly those with selective admissions processes. Faced with more academically qualified applicants than places in the freshman class, our admission officers review the two required teacher recommendations and the counselor report with great care, often commenting on them in writing on “reader sheets” in each application.</p>

<p>We often project the recommendations themselves onto large screens so that all members of the Admissions Committee can see them during the subcommittee and full committee review processes in February and March.</p>

<p>Recommendations can help us to see well beyond test scores and grades and other credentials and can illuminate such personal qualities as character and leadership as well as intellectual curiosity, creativity, and love of learning."</p>

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<p>Touch</p>

7

<p>" Just have to be myself, and if adcoms don’t accept that, so be it."</p>

<p>That is a great attitude and it will serve you well. Best of luck to you!</p>