Freshman and Sophomore Years of High School

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Is it still possible for me to be accepted to Harvard University even with my first two years of high school? I attend a top college preparatory school in my area. Here is a list of some things I have done during my first two years:</p>

<p>Freshman Year</p>

<p>Academics</p>

<ul>
<li>Two Honors Courses [Honors Chemistry (a course designed for juniors) and Honors Geometry]</li>
<li>Two Electives (Multimedia Design and Concert Band) </li>
<li>Maximum Number of Credits </li>
<li>Honors Community Service (50+ Community Service Hours) </li>
<li>GPA - 2.957</li>
</ul>

<p>School Sports</p>

<ul>
<li>None</li>
</ul>

<p>Student Government</p>

<ul>
<li>Elected Ninth Grade Class Council Officer</li>
</ul>

<p>Extracurricular</p>

<ul>
<li>Volunteer at the Children’s Section of the Local Library</li>
<li>Judge in the Lower School Science Fair</li>
<li>Performed in the School Spring Drama Production </li>
<li>Member of Church Youth Group </li>
<li>Host at an School Information Session </li>
<li>Wrote and Acted for the School Drama Festival </li>
<li>Member of the Chess Team </li>
<li>Summer Volunteer at a Hospital</li>
</ul>

<p>Sophomore Year (so far)</p>

<p>Academics</p>

<ul>
<li>Two Honors Courses (Honors Biology and Honors Algebra II) </li>
<li>One AP Course (AP World History) </li>
<li>Two Electives (Introduction to Computer Science and Concert Band) </li>
<li>Maximum Number of Credits </li>
<li>Honors Community Service (50+ Community Service Hours) </li>
<li>GPA - 3.25 (as of the end of last quarter) </li>
<li>PSAT - 184 (without prior preparation)</li>
</ul>

<p>School Sports</p>

<ul>
<li>Junior Varsity Cross Country </li>
<li>Junior Varsity Swimming </li>
<li>Junior Varsity Tennis</li>
</ul>

<p>Student Government</p>

<ul>
<li>Elected Tenth Grade Class Council Officer </li>
<li>Elected Student Council Secretary (Highest Student Council Position Available to a Sophomore)</li>
</ul>

<p>Extracurricular</p>

<ul>
<li>Volunteering at the Children’s Section of the Local Library </li>
<li>Performed in the Fall and Spring Drama Productions </li>
<li>Member of the Technical Crews for the Fall and Spring Drama Productions </li>
<li>Member of Church Youth Group </li>
<li>Founding Member of a Junior State of America chapter (Offered the position of Director of Debate for next year) </li>
<li>Model United Nations Delegate </li>
<li>Wrote and Acted for the School Drama Festival </li>
<li>Staff Writer for the School Newspaper </li>
<li>Member of the Community Service Board </li>
<li>Member of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter </li>
<li>Founding Officer of the 40 Hour Famine Chapter</li>
<li>Member of the Chess Club</li>
<li>Vice President of the Sports Writing Club</li>
</ul>

2

<p>your academics are weak, especially for freshman year</p>

3

<p>I’m assuming that a 3.25 doesn’t represent a very good rank; if you’re near the top of your class because of major grade deflation, don’t worry about the actual number. However, if it means what it means most places, how hard were you trying for it? If that demonstrates that you’ve reformed and are now serious about school, you’re not going to get in. If it’s a rough step on a ladder to a 4.0 or 3.99whatever, it’s just barely possible. The SAT your PSAT predicts (1840) isn’t out of the competitive range if you took it cold, but you probably need at least a 2200 SAT to help make up for your particular grades–nearly a 400 point increase.</p>

<p>Your ECs are obviously awesome, though, and indicate a driven and motivated person. Harvard probably isn’t the place for you, but some of the colleges with numbers more along the lines of what you’ve been getting will be absolutely delighted to have you. The Harvard admissions committee would probably look at your file and, with true regret, put you aside because your numbers just aren’t competitive. A school where those numbers are competitive? You will probably be a very easy acceptance. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>… Bump…</p>

5

<p>Google “Colleges for B students” and you will find lists of schools that are appropriate for your GPA.</p>