Few questions about international students and SATs.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I've been lurking here for a while, but I finally decided to join; seems like you have a great community!</p>

<p>I just got my SAT score, and I'm a bit worried that it's insufficient for Harvard.</p>

<p>Critical Reading: 720.
Math: 800.
Writing: 720.
Total score: 2240.</p>

<p>A little information about me: (If you don't have time, please read the first three lines, ignoring the rest, and give me your opinion on whether my SAT score will cause me problems or not. Thanks!)</p>

<p>-I'm an arab guy from Israel (Yes, we exist!)
-Muslim, but went to a Catholic school in Nazareth.
-English is my third language - after Arabic and Hebrew.
-All my subjects are 5 units, which is the highest level we have. Equivalent to APs (?) I believe. And one special course in Computer Science that offers 10 units.
-I have been an intern for 3 years at a Biomedical Engineering company that's working on a novel formulation for wound healing (focusing on diabetic patients.)
-I got a Computer Technician Certificate from a Cisco-affiliate by 9th grade.
-I was an exchange student in the United States for my sophomore year under a scholarship. 17 students were selected from the country; after I came back home, I had to learn everything I missed independently. (different curricula)
-Have been volunteering at the Arab Association for Human Rights for the past 4 years, during which we visited a lot of families that their houses were destroyed. Raised money, volunteered food and moral support.
-SAT Subject Test scores: Math 2- 800, Physics- 800.
-I retook the SAT few days ago on December, and I'm hoping to raise my Writing and CR scores.
-I will also be taking January's SAT Subject Tests in Literature, U.S. History, and either Chemistry or Biology.</p>

<p>I know I have some good points, and some ok points. But seeing everyone getting 2300+ SAT scores is getting me worried. And I wonder if the admission officers would take into considerations that English is my 3rd language.</p>

<p>Thank you in advance!</p>

2

<p>Well, if I had your record, I would definitely sleep very very well ! Your academics+EC’s+history just look great to me .
But to be honest, as you might already have seen it, chancing somebody for Harvard is pretty useless . However, if you applied for other top schools (Princeton and Yale excpeted, like Harvard) I’d say you really have a good shot .
Your SATs are not weak AT ALL.</p>

3

<p>One of my friends here at Harvard got a 1800 with english as his third langage, and still got in, so you are in excellent shape!!! English is my second language and I got lower than you and still got in too, so I am not worried for you at all. Generally admission officers are super understanding about that. Don’t stress out too much about the SAT stuff, give it a try and you’ll see :)</p>