<p>I’d also point out that if the 25th percentile is 2100, it,s very possible that, say, the 20th through 25th percentile are all around 2100 or even at 2100.</p>
<p>That would be a strange bell curve…</p>
<p>It wouldn’t have a bell curve. The Gaussian bell curve applies to a population (like all hs seniors). 2000 or fewer people will not make a bell curve, especially when considering the sample is accepted Harvard students.</p>
<p>No. I do not agree. Fair enough though, we all have different opinions.</p>
<p>I am happy to respect your opinion, but it is well known that the Gaussian curve applies to a general population, not sample sizes as small as the typical Harvard Class. What is your take on it exactly?</p>
<p>Define the typical Harvard class.</p>
<p>Posted by somebody the other day…</p>
<p>Xxxxxxxx
I also want people to know that you truly do or have to be a superhuman to get accepted into Harvard. I go to a semi-competitive public school in MAryland where I’m not even in the top 10%, I am white and also Jewish, no legacy or financial connection to Harvard, 29 ACT composite; but I am a member of my county’s health department and I have been told that I wrote “beautiful” and “mesmerizing” essays haha. Also, I have a few friends who also got accepted EA to Harvard and received SAT scores for each section that were less than 650. I just hate how many students feel inadequate for “top tier” schools. Most admissions decisions are truly based upon what you personally can offer a school beyond the classroom, especially at liberal arts- focused schools like Harvard.</p>
<p>29 ACT is equal to 1920 SAT…</p>
<p>See, 4 students do not constitute or even exemplify the entire student body. The typical Harvard class is about 1650 students (with a total of 2000 students). That is a good number- for a sample, but does not qualify to make a general population of all HS seniors, which would make a bell curve. </p>
<p>The information I am providing is readily available on the Internet and is learned in introductory statistics. I encourage you to look it up for a clearer understanding.</p>
<p>Sorry, I meant to say a total of 2000 students accepted (though there may be even fewer accepted students this year).</p>
<p>It sounds like you are looking for balance. An excellent college experience in and outside the classroom. Yes, there are schools that offer both an excellent academic and social environment. Students should have a “holistic” approach when making a choice of where to attend college. Yes academics and reputation are important as are cost, location, quality of life etc… Make a list of what you want from a college and go find a school that can offer it to you. Visit and spend time at schools and watch and talk to students. At some schools they are alone and stressed and look like they are going to their mom’s funeral. At others they are happy, talk to fellow students, look forward to the game on the weekend and work hard and play hard. No one school is best for everyone. Good luck finding the right school for you.</p>
<p>Newyork94. I am going to ignore your sarcasm and attempt to disparage me. Ok it’s not a bell curve. My whole point was that Harvard is not filled with 2400 SAT scores and I think you are confirming that at least 25% are around 2100 and even more between 2100 and 2200 are accepted. Obviously the people that post their acceptance on CC have very high scores but how many is that? 200? That’s only a small part of the acceptance class. 2400 scores on SAT are incredible and the 21’s and the 22’s are incredible ordinary kids and not only athletes. So my answer to the original poster is that yes, ordinary kids (if that what you want to call them) can get into Harvard!</p>
<p>I still think that kids that score in the top 3% on standardized tests and rank in the top 5% of their class are not "ordinary.</p>
<p>It’s like debating ordinary presidents or ordinary world leaders or ordinary CEOs.</p>
<p>Thp2017, I am deeply sorry if I came off as disparaging or anything close to that. Yes, you are right, plenty of kids with 2400s are rejected and plenty of kids with 2100 (and below) get accepted. </p>
<p>I was, myself, accepted early for the class of 2017. And I had a 32 ACT score. A good score, I would say. But we’re the numbers stacked against me? Indeed, they were, but thanks to Harvard’s holistic admissions, it’s not JUST the numbers, although you do have to reach a certain level of academic achievement (those with scores below 1800 will find an almost slim to none chance barring an exceptional aspect outside their academics).</p>
<p>@thp2017 </p>
<p>I am not sure that I understand your comment that 21’s and 22’s are “incredible ordinary” kids ;)</p>
<p>Admitted students who score 2100 are undoubtedly extraordinary in some other way besides their SAT scores.</p>
<p>My S got a lot lower score than 2100 and he’s not at an Ivy but he is an extremely gifted kid with a LD that makes math super hard. Dyscalculia = Dyslexia for math. Anyway, he is a very talented artist ever since he was two. He did drawings and the difference between his and others was that his looked like what he said it was. Now he’s on scholarship at a top art university. Just saying that extra-ordinary kids go to all kinds of schools.</p>
<p>He also remembers stories he reads almost verbatim with a single reading and recite the dialogue of movies almost verbatim. He writes songs and raps freestyle. Almost anything artistic, he is able to master very quickly. Amazes me.</p>
<p>I don’t know if I’m too late, but I really hope you’ll read this. I’ve never really been “stellar” at anything. I haven’t received any national or international recognition for anything. I’m not extremely passionate about one specific thing, nor do I pursue one specific thing at a non-local level. I do the best with what I have. So instead of joining some sort of international volunteer organization to teach children in Uganda, I joined my local first aid squad. Instead of writing for an actual newspaper, I joined my school’s publication and became editor. Instead of being elected as an official on the state level for JSA, I became president of my local chapter. I don’t have any amazing talents, nor am I particularly gifted in a specific discipline. I didn’t get a perfect score on my SAT. Nor did I get particularly good scores on my subject tests. I don’t think I was helped by any form of affirmative action either, being a white male. I also never played sports or played an instrument. Those things didn’t interest me, so I never did them and neither should anyone for the sole purpose of “it looks good on you application”. I did however do all that I could with the limited resources and opportunities that I had. Now that most certainly doesn’t mean I had no free time. I strongly believe in enjoying our short lived existences and I made sure I always had time for myself.</p>
<p>Despite all of this, I got into Harvard. And Oxford. And every other college I applied to. I tried to transmit as much of myself as I could in my application, and tried to set myself apart. Most importantly, I didn’t do anything for the sake of a nice looking resume. So, please, don’t think it’s impossible and don’t be disheartened by others on this thread. That goes for anyone reading this. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask or PM me and Ill be glad to answer them or give your tips or anything.</p>
<p>Bjac10, congrats on your acceptances. I looked up your stats on another thread because your post peaked by interest.
You scored over 2300 on the SATs and have an unweighted 4.0 average. etc, etc, etc.</p>
<p>How is that not stellar? I’d have to agree with the others above that truly “regular” kids do NOT get into Harvard. Or Oxford.</p>
<p>I think “regular” was meant in terms of those students accepted to Harvard. </p>
<p>2300+ and a 4.0 GPA is quite stellar but seems to be the norm for those accepted to Harvard.</p>
<p>As Hunt pointed out in post #31: </p>
<p>"I would reiterate that “normal” doesn’t mean the same thing as “average.”</p>
<p>A student can be normal and have ultra stellar stats . . . but that is not average!</p>