erm... do i have a shot?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>thanks everyone.
harvard is my dream school but i think that it may stay a dream. do u think i have a shot, at least?</p>

<p>Female
Korean-American
English first language</p>

<p>GPA:
-3.92 unweighted
-42/482 rank (top 9% or so)
-our school is competitive, but does not offer many ap courses. i took the most challenging classes our school has to offer. received B's in geometry (9th), euro history (10th), and chemistry (10th). i can understand the history one but i can't undrestand the math and science... i'm actually very good at math and science. i got all A's junior year with a challenging course load.</p>

<p>TESTS:
-SAT I (Critical Reading 710, Math 790, Writing 730), multiple sittings, 2230. highest composite single sitting: 2170.
-SAT II (Biology E 650 - going to retake, Math II 800, Spanish 730)
-ACT 34
-AP Statistics 5</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULARS:
- district-wide research internship program at comprehensive cancer center, 14 students selected in the city, 35 hrs/week 11 wks/summer. currently working on poster, research paper for competitions. internship previous summer in chemistry lab also, 10 hrs./wk
- violin 5 years, 10 hrs/week, 50 wks/yr. state youth symphony orchestra, school orchestra, city chamber group, private lessons.
- design graphics 2-3 years, 10 hrs/week, 35 wks/yr., yearbook editor-in-chief, received school yearbook scholarship, wisconsin art education association regional art show "best in show (first place)"
- peer tutoring, 2-3 yrs at school volunteering to help freshmen and sophomores in their classes, 3 hrs./wk, 35 wks/yr., tutoring korean children in english since age 10, last summer tutored 4 kids 15 hrs./wk.
- piano 6 yrs., 10 hrs./wk for the sheer joy of playing, no awards or membership
- class council 3 yrs, 1-2 hrs./wk, 35 wks/yr, head of food drive/twirp committee
- freshman advisory 12th grade, 5 hrs./wk, 35 wks./yr
- senior citizen 12th grade, 5-6 hrs./wk, 35 wks/yr
- health occupational students of america, 1 hr./wk, 35 wks./yr, helped organize hiv/aids awareness week</p>

<p>HONORS/AWARDS:
-national honor society
-spanish honor society
-probable national merit semifinalist? (217)
-2005 wisc art education association regional art show first place
-west yearbook scholarship
-varsity math award</p>

<p>VOLUNTEER:
-univesrity hospital, 4 hrs./wk 30 wks./yr, 2 yrs.
-senior center, 4 hrs./wk 30 wks./yr, 1 yr
-peer tutoring at school, 3 hrs./wk 35 wks./yr, 2-3 yrs.</p>

<p>OTHER:
my asian-american status puts me at a disadvantage, but my mom is a waitress and my dad has been unemployed for a very long time.. he has never had a real job in his field (archaeology) and we are living way below poverty level. he graduated from brown and u wisconsin-madison. i need a full scholarship anywhere i can get it, otherwise i can't go to college.</p>

<p>i dont know if i forgot anything.
thanks so much for helping me out guys i really appreciate your help.</p>

2

<p>you're right...your asian american stats do put you at a bit of a disadvantage...however, you might want to stress your art ability if it's something your passionate about because that can make you stand out. try to pull your sat up to around 2300 if you can...best of luck :-)</p>

3

<p>Everyone has a chance. Work on your essays, you qualify with your stats. You need to show in a single sitting your SAT ability though I think, but as long as thye fall within the range it's okay.</p>

<p>Families under 60k go to Harvard for free...so yeah, if you get in you're going.</p>

4

<p>Thank you for your advice.</p>

<p>are my extracurriculars good enough? i will retake my SATs, and hopefully i will get above a 2200 in a single sitting.</p>

<p>i actually posted my economic disadvantage because maybe that will give me an edge in admissions? or am i wrong? i don't know, i just haven't been able to do many things and i had to quit a lot of extracurriculars. i do violin on a scholarship and the research program is completely free. everything else i do is free, also.</p>

5

<p>Does the Asian American 'disadvantage' apply to other Asian-White mongrels, or just the American breed?</p>

6

<p>What's the difference between Asian American and just Asian on the apps?</p>

7

<p>I hate when people say being Asian puts you at a disadvantage. It's certainly not an advantage when it comes to admissions at Harvard, but you have just as much of a shot as the white candidate. 17% of the Class of 2010 identified themselves as Asian-American. The applicant pool? 17% was Asian. You have much of a chance as anyone else.</p>