<p>Harvard avg. SAT score is approx. 2210. Once you’re in that range it becomes more about the rest of the application.</p>
<p>^^^ I Agree!</p>
<p>I really don’t think they do.</p>
<p>Truly regular kids just don’t get in, imo. I don’t know how one can call oneself “regular” and achieve stellar stats. Lulz</p>
<p>“Regular” is meant in terms of the common applicant to Harvard, i.e. one with stellar grades and test scores but no absolutely wowing parts of an application, like national awards and whatnot.</p>
<p>Oh.
Nvm.
xD</p>
<p>I am deeply sorry I read this thread too late, but I do hope that the OP, or anyone interested, reads my comment.
Btw, the OP specifically asked if “normal” students can get into top tier universities, NOT the avg SAT score for Harvard or Princeton admits. </p>
<p>Anyway, I had far from stellar stats. Really far. My SAT wasn’t even in the 2100 range and my ACT was average a best. However, I did everything I could do with what my school had to offer. We had few AP classes, about 4 sports, limited clubs, etc. I didn’t win any major award, and the only thing I excelled at was at sports, although not good enough to be a recruit. I joined every thing that interested me without thinking that it was gonna help my college application. I played soccer since I was a 7 year old, won regional and national awards, BUT I live in a small, Third World Country, so I didn’t compete against Olympic or World class players. I mean I wasn’t even good enough to get recruited, so you can get an idea. I had limited MUN experience and never left the country for it. I joined the drama club in 7th grade, but we only did 3 plays since, so you can tell it wasn’t a very stable club. As far as hooks go, I don’t think Latin American counts because I’m an international student, so my chances were even lower than the rest. Yes, the majority of Harvard admits have >2100 SATs, but there are also “regular” people, like me, who can get in. I’m grateful I never visited this site before the application process, as it may have discouraged me into applying to top tier universities. Seriously, the chances that you’ll get into Harvard are low, but unless you win an Olympic medal and cure Cancer at the same time, the probability will always be low. Oh, and my roommate got an 1800 in her SAT’s, no hook and the only exercise she does is walk to class. Please stop thinking that you need to be exceptional, I sure am not.</p>
<p>What you’re describing in Harvard admission terms is referred to as 2-2-4-2 on a five point scale, with respect to academic, extracurricular, atheltic, and persoanlity characteristics of teh applicant. And yes, they get in all the time.</p>
<p>On this five point scale, a “1” in academic usually means that the student has taken many, many college courses and is destined to be an academic or major-league scientists. Sometimes it’s that obvious. In extarcurricular and athletic, a “1” means statewide recognition. I have seen very few academic 1s in my 18 years of interviewing. </p>
<p>Harvard doesn’t necessarily want a class of prodigies.They also consier how the student will contribute to campus life and how the student will be as a roommate.</p>
<p>The people on this site care too much about scores. It’s a holistic process, everything counts. Of course if you’re an all arounder, with >2300 SAT’s, you probably have a better chance than an equally rounded person, with 1800 SAT’s. Not only athletes, legacies, URM’s, etc. get in with <2100. Yes, scores are important but they view your application as a whole.</p>
<p>A guidance counselor at my school likes to tell the seniors what an MIT adcom told her: if MIT wants an oboe player, they’ll take an oboe player. This applies to all the top tier schools, and basically HYPMS are reaches for everybody, even the seemingly perfect applicants. Yes, there’s always a chance for the well rounded students but the adcoms are “sculpting a class” so to speak, so whether they think you’ll be a good part of their class is based on the other kids they’re letting in. I agree with the people vouching for SCEA, but I would also get safety applications (to schools you like) done well in advance of your Harvard notification so you avoid the potential demotivation. Good luck!</p>
<p>I considered myself a “regular” person and was stunned and ecstatic when I got into Harvard (Law School). I never thought I had a chance; I wasn’t even going to apply until my mother got the application and forced me to fill it out.</p>
<p>Keep in mind re: studying: your junior and senior years of high school will largely determine where you go to college, which is something that will stick with you for the rest of your life. The first two or three years of college will largely determine where you go to grad school, which will have a significant impact on your future earnings and stick with you for life. So it’s just a few years of hard work that will make your life much, much, much better in the future. I’d focus on studying more, if you don’t think that you have been.</p>