<p>I live in a British colony on the southern most tip of Spain. I will be the only one applying to Harvard, or any Ivy League school for that matter. Will this have a detrimental effect on my chances of getting accepted to Harvard? If so, how bad will it be? Thanks.</p>
<p>Oh, and I forgot to mention that in my school there are very limited opportunities to do anything, so despite having very good grades, I only have a few extracurriculars. This is the only secondary school in the overseas territory as well.</p>
<p>Anybody? Please?</p>
<p>Bump------</p>
<p>Please don’t bump so often. The international pool is more competitive than the domestic one, but I doubt coming from Gibraltar gives you any particular advantage or disadvantage within that. I’m not sure how sympathetic the Ivy Leagues will be to a cry of “there aren’t any established ECs,” though–one of my good friends’ main EC was to found a free preschool in her home country, which she did despite living in the US. It started small, but became successful and solid (although still not huge) even though she started it when she was 14 or 15. Another international student I know, in a country without ECs really, became an actress who often got speaking roles on her city’s stage. The students who make it to Harvard are successful and interesting outside of school even if their school does not have a debate team. If your ECs are good but few, you may be fine! Some people believe that few is reason to be rejected. Many students who end up at Harvard did one or two main activities, although many others did many more. If you did a lot of twiddling your thumbs outside of class, though, I probably wouldn’t be very optimistic.</p>
<p>Thanks! And sorry for bumping.</p>
<p>Harvard gives slight preference to MA students and slightly more preference to Cambridge students. I’d imagine since you’re international you’d have a hard time getting in since you’re pitted against so many other countries (not all countries are created equal)</p>
<p>Your location does have a little effect on your application, though I doubt it will be a major one. You’re from a place where people rarely apply to Harvard, so Harvard will definitely be able to assume less of your background than say a student from a well known school in Massachusetts. Though you’ll have more to explain about you and your experience in the place, you’ll also have something to say that others can’t mention- find that and it can help you. </p>
<p>Being an international applicant does have a disadvantage. Quite a portion of applicants applying to Harvard are international, but Harvard will only fill 10% of its class with international students. This means that competition for spots will be fiercer for you than for a domestic applicant.</p>
<p>Harvard accepts students based on their potential to harvest the most out of what Harvard has to offer. They clearly indicate on their website that they’re looking for those who take the most advantage of their resources. Your job is to show them that. I wouldn’t worry about your background of limited resources because that has nothing to do with your chances. Harvard cares not about what opportunities you have but rather what you do with them.</p>
<p>If you find a lack of ECs to participate. I suggest you start something of your own that you’re passionate about. If you’re interested in journalism and you have nowhere to express it, try finding a school or local newspaper. If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, you can start a business of your own. Instead of worrying, take action. Oh, and by the way, Harvard doesn’t care how many ECs you do. Well they, do a little, but they care more about what you’ve accomplished with your ECs. Harvard prefer a national level tennis player over an athlete who is a member in 50 of a school’s sport teams but has not really excel in any of the sport.</p>
<p>Lastly. Stop worrying about your chances. The only way to be truly happy about getting into Harvard is being accepted for who you are, not because you’ve pleased Harvard with who you are not.</p>