<p>thank you anyone who is reading this. I meant to post this information in the decision thread but for now i'm going to include it here. I talk about my problem down below the decision information</p>
<p>Decision: Accepted</p>
<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): 800/780/770
[</em>] ACT: N/A
[<em>] SAT II: Chem 800, Math I 800, Math II 780
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
[<em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): My school doesn't rank
[</em>] AP (place score in parenthesis): U.S. History (5), Euro (5), Calc AB (5), Chem (5), French (4), English Lit (4), English Lang (5), Macro (5)
[<em>] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
[</em>] Senior Year Course Load: Difficult with alot of AP's
[<em>] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):National Merit Semifinalist, Won a local poetry contest, Advanced to second round for FBLA,
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[</em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Student government (Treasurer), NHS (President), FBLA, Jazz Band (1st Trombone), Key Club and other less-involved activities
[<em>] Job/Work Experience: Waiter at my uncle's Italian restaurant
[</em>] Volunteer/Community service: Tutored kids at local shelter and volunteering through NHS and other orgs.
[<em>] Summer Activities: Harvard SSP, Internship at University of Pennsylvania for a few weeks, wrote for a local newspaper (unpaid)
[</em>] Essays: I thought they were good
[<em>] Teacher Recommendation: Couldn't read
[</em>] Counselor Rec: Couldn't read
[<em>] Additional Rec: N/A
[</em>] Interview: Overall good but i was very nervous at first
[/ul]Other[ul]
[<em>] State (if domestic applicant): Pennsylvania
[</em>] Country (if international applicant): U.S.
[<em>] School Type: Public
[</em>] Ethnicity: White
[<em>] Gender: Male
[</em>] Income Bracket: 150,000+
[<em>] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Legacy but nothing else too special
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[</em>] Strengths: Scores, EC's and Leadership
[<em>] Weaknesses: sent my SAT II's sort of late
[</em>] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I guess a pretty well rounded application but overall it seems like kind of a crapshoot
[li] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: nowhere[/li][/ul]General Comments: </p>
<p>I would like to start off by saying that i'm very happy i got into Harvard. After thinking about it, i'm not sure that i'm gonna go to Harvard or any college for that matter. I've always done alot with music and this was something i was passionate about. After listening to various genres, i was drawn to rap. Initially just listening to it but eventually i tried it out myself. Rapping was a good way to blow of steam when i had some free time but i think i got alot better over time. Eventually i showed some of my friends and kids at my school and they all said i was pretty good. The reason i'm saying this is because i'm not sure what i want to do with my life later on. I enjoy most of my classes but there's nothing i think i'm passionate enough about to make a career of. This may change during the rest of the year but as of right now my mind is set. I want to pursue a career in rap. Even though it would be difficult, the only way i could see myself truly being happy is by rapping. As would be expected, my parent weren't thrilled by this notion. My dad was a graduate of Harvard law school and he always inundated me with the idea that i would go there too. He was thrilled when i got in but it's my life not his. I don't think my parents understand me or my situation and so talking about this has been difficult. I've been stretched pretty thin because of my class load, work, and trying to make time to work on my rapping. Taking this into account, i've realized that if i really want to reach my potential as a rapper, i'm going to have to make sacrifices. I don't think i could devote the needed time to my rapping if i have to deal with the workload at Harvard or any other college. I guess i'm posting this here because I really need help. As i said it's hard to talk to my parents about this and I don't think my counselors will take me seriously. People always told me to find something i'm passionate about and it won't ever feel like you're actually working. For me this is rap. My mind is set at this point and i just don't see me changing my mind. I'm asking for advice from anyone, whether it be parents or students, who have had similar experiences.</p>
<p>If your mind is made up, what is your question? I’m sure you don’t want to be told that your chance of a successful career as a rapper is about equal to the chance of a high school basketball player joining the NBA, but if you aren’t committed to a college education, don’t go. College will always be there for you if you change your mind. (Also, please be extra nice to your parents, who probably banging their heads against a wall right now.)</p>
<p>Go to Harvard. You could still rap and go to Harvard… Yo Yo Ma, the greatest cellist to ever live turned down Juilliard for Harvard… People called him crazy, said he’d never be the musician he would be if he’d go to Juilliard, but he’s the world’s greatest cellist, and… He says time and time again that choosing Harvard was the best decision he ever made. You can easily rap while attending Harvard… Major in something that’ll help you out in the music industry, it won’t hurt if rapping is where your passion lies.</p>
<p>Can’t you do both? Maybe I am wrong, but if kids can find a time to practice their instruments and be a member of a sports team, you will probably have enough time to rap and study.
I say this because, well, a career in rapping is very unlikely, but a career through education is more definite.
I just don’t want you to look back 20 years from now and say, “Man! I could have gone to Harvard!”
Never, EVER, give up on your dreams, but also do not limit yourself with no more than a high school diploma.
(I am not trying to say that the only way to succeed is by receiving a college degree, I am saying it helps. :)</p>
<p>I think that it is rather silly of you to want to drop Harvard for a shot at rapping. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for accomplishing goals and what not, but come on, be realistic here. If you are intent on being a wrapper, it wouldn’t hurt to at least go to college and take some music classes or something related. Another option would be to go in as whatever you applied but minor in music or something like that so you have a backup plan if your rapping career does not take off. </p>
<p>I encourage you to go to college, where your chance for success lies. However, in the end it is up to you. You make the choice: is rapping honestly a feasible career choice? Whatever your decision is, I wish you the best.</p>
<p>Assuming you are not a ■■■■■, take it from some one who’s been where you are but doesn’t have a Harvard EA acceptance. I KNOW how to rap. As a matter of fact, I can send you verses if you give me your email. I can even lecture you on flow and enunciation, not to mention word choice and theme marketability. BUT, HEAR ME NOW: A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH. You have Harvard as the bird in the hand. Rapping is the two in the bush. Pursue Harvard. Work with people like me to improve your rap abilities IN YOUR SPARE TIME and then go big one day…or not. Think of Biggie: “If selling drugs was my wife, rapping was originally just a girl I had on the side,”. Think of Lil’ Wayne: He has a GED and credit for online psychology courses. So does B.O.B. Not to mention: - Public Enemy’s Chuck D. He graduated from Adelphi University in Long Island, New York, with a degree in graphic design.</p>
<p>-- Ludacris. He earned his bachelor’s degree with honors (summa cum laude) in business from Georgia State University. (Wait, does this mean he’s no longer excused for spelling “ludicrous” incorrectly … or do we think he did it on purpose now?)</p>
<p>-- M.I.A. She completed a program in fine art, film and video at London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.</p>
<p>Again, think about this easy decision carefully. I would love to rap with you. The chances of you getting into Harvard EA are twice as big as you becoming a successful rapper.</p>
<p>Gap year. Give yourself 1 year to launch your rap career. If it doesn’t take off, start Harvard and do the rap gig part time. Another alternative is to apply this year to NYU/Tisch or other more artsy, urban schools or majors. At NYU, I think that there are no classes on Fridays so that you can “work” or intern in NYC; maybe you could intern at a record or recording studio.</p>
<p>@flocka, you know, you can have a gap-year and Harvard will save your spot. If you are really passionate about pursuing music, this may be a viable option for you. You still will get to go to Harvard while having the chance to explore your music career.</p>
<p>Do not go to Harvard for your parents. If you would feel more comfortable at another college, go there. YoHoYoHo’s suggestions are great options. But remember that there are thousands of qualified students lined up for your Harvard spot who would do almost anything to have that opportunity. My advice is to pursue your passions in the manner that you best see fit, and consider the impact that your decision will have on another student. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>Yeah man I might have a chance of getting in if you don’t go…just become a rapper and make millions…you don’t need Harvard…take a gap year at least, who knows what might happen?</p>
<p>Ray William Johnson created the most successful YouTube channel of all time while he was an undergrad at Columbia. Go to Harvard. You won’t regret it. </p>
<p>Or… maybe don’t go to Harvard and open up a spot for me. ;)</p>
<p>um obviously go to Harvard. people will automatically respect you more and give your more opportunities for being a harvard student, plus the networking will be incredible. seriously this is a non-question.</p>
<p>Gap year then Harvard. Attending college is more than just about obtaining a piece of paper at the end of four years. It’s an entire experience. In addition to getting arguably the best education (if you make it happen), you’ll also learn more about the world, about other people, make new friends, and pursue your dreams, including rapping! Yes, classes, exams, and homework will eat up your time, but there’s so much more to experience than just academics. </p>
<p>Take a gap year to sort out all of your feelings and intentions. I think you need a breather. </p>
<p>Congratulations on your Harvard acceptance! I’m sure that whatever decision you make, it’ll be a good one. Just have confidence. </p>
<p>Why does this feel like a ■■■■■ thread? Did you just find out about CollegeConfidential? It just seems like an extremely rare situation, especially for a first-time poster. A Harvard kid who likes Flocka? lol </p>
<p>This is an absolute no-brainer. That’s why ■■■■■ is the first thing that comes to mind. Harvard would inculcate that knowledge that you could rap about anyway. And people would actually take you seriously if you had a Harvard degree. This is like choosing to sleep on a rock or a soft place.</p>
<p>Eeeeshhh you two need to calm down. I know that a vast majority of people would say to go to havard, but the OP has a genuine passion for rap. Hopefully he will find a way to fit both.</p>