EA chances and questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Generally, who gets into Harvard EA? I've heard really scary stories about how the only people who get in during this round are recruits/minority or clear admits. Most others get deferred.</p>

<p>I was considering applying EA, but I would rather apply ED to another school I like almost as much and seems to give more weight to students in the early decision round. </p>

<p>So, basically, what are my chances for Harvard EA, and should I apply early?</p>

<p>SATs
800 V 720 M
SAT IIs (three highest)
800 Math2C / 800 History / 780 Lit
APs
2 5's / 2 4's</p>

<p>GPA: 3.8 UW / 4.1 W
Ranked around top 10, fluctuates
Hardest courseload, IB Diploma Candidate
Regular high school, not well known but not terrible.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars
President of two clubs that do community service
Started another and am a lead in a counseling service
Captain of the debate/mock trial team--basically the same thing
Drama, various crews, lettered in drama
Piano--tutor other kids</p>

<p>I'm very involved in these clubs--they're all three to four year commitments that I spend a lot of time on. I'm also in Key Club and NHS and other stuff, but I don't feel its worth mentioning because the chapters at my school does not really do anything.</p>

<p>I've done two internships with political organizations--about six weeks each.</p>

<p>I tutor some kids at the community center afterschool for a job for the past three years. About five hours a week.</p>

<p>Recommendations
-Should be great, the two teacher recs are both from humanities teachers--both teachers I know very well and are known for writing good recs.
-One supplemental from activities advisor for several of my clubs. I'm really close with him too, so the rec should hopefully be good.
-Another supplemental from a professor who taught me in a college level seminar course in the field I hope to major in. </p>

<p>Awards
National Merit Semifinalist
Telluride Summer Program
Some other awards that aren't that big of a deal but will probably be on my app: schoolwide or more obscure ones.</p>

<p>I plan to send in a paper I wrote that relates to my major......</p>

<p>Chances / comments /advice, please? Thank you so much!</p>

2

<p>Looks like you have just as good a chance as anyone...probably your essay will weight heavily on whether you would get in EA or not. Your stats are excellent, but then again so are everyone elses most likely.
Good luck...it's a big decision for sure, and ultimately one that you along should make, but if Harvard is where you really want to be, then maybe you should go for it...</p>

3

<p>If Harvard is your dream school, go ahead and apply early. It's a long shot for virtually everyone. If the other school is not your clear first choice, I don't think you should commit yourself to it through ED. You can't let the "scary" nature of an admissions process deter you from reaching for your goals, whatever they may be. The worst that will happen is that you'll get deferred, and I promise, there is life after deferral.</p>

4

<p>"...probably your essay will weight heavily on whether you would get in EA or not"</p>

<p>dean, is this really true? The reason I ask is that I've always heard that essays play only a minimal role in Harvard admissions, mainly because many students--most students--are great writers in the first place. Have there been many cases where students were admitted (with strong profiles) because their essays gave them an extra hook?</p>

<p>In addition--what do you think a somewhat boring applicant like I could do to try to give my application an edge?</p>

5

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<p>Most Harvard students are good writers. Most Harvard admissions essays suck. They suck because they are cheesy, overwrought, cliched, or all three. There are many books filled with "successful" essays whose authors got in in spite of their essays, not because of them. Getting in doesn't mean you wrote a good essay; it means (at most) that you wrote a reasonably clear, grammatical, well-punctuated essay. Therefore, writing a great essay -- one that's highly personal, original, and cleanly expressed -- can be the reason you stand out from the crowd of bright, well-rounded kids.</p>

6

<p>What is your SAT I (or old SAT II) writing?</p>

7

<p>Oh, sorry; my SAT I writing is 800.</p>

<p>Does that change things much?</p>

8

<p>good scores, but below average ECs. Every other harvard applicant is president of 2 school clubs.... just a reality check.</p>

9

<p>Yeh, thanks, I realize that. I'm really dedicated to both of those clubs, though; I guess I'm counting on that and the fact that one of these clubs was named best nationally and the other was best in my region last year. Do you think mentioning this will help?</p>