Here are my stats
French Honor Society
National Beta Club (Vice President)
Operation Smile (Founder and President)
Youth Saxophone Choir (Principal)
String Quartet (founder and Violin I)
City Philharmonic (Usher)
Theatre Pit Orchestra (Principal Sax 2 years/Concertmaster 1 year)
Tri-M Music Honor Society (President)
Science National Honor Society (President)
Science Seminar (select kids in my city)
School Orchestra (Concertmaster)
All-State Orchestra (top orchestras-2yrs)
Interlochen (Orchestra Program- Scholarship Receiver) (1st Violins)
Music Dispersion -non profit organization- (send love of classical music to people who may not have the chance) (Founder)
City Wind Ensemble (1st part)
Jazz Band (Grammy Awards won) (1st chair)
Youth Symphony Orchestra (1st Violin/Concertmaster)
Program that raises money for awareness and research of disease I have (Director)
Winterfest (1st chair)
District Honor Band (1st chair) (2 years)
4/216 98.44 GPA
Jobs
Currently at a grocery store but I’ve been working since sophomore year at other grocery stores (15-20hrs a week)
SAT 1310 /1600 (should I send it?)
Subject Test - taking in november
URM - AA Male (first generation)
AP Classes (WEAK I know)
AP World History - 3
AP US History - 5
AP Calculus AB - 3
AP Government - 4
AP English Language - 3
AP Physics C - 2 (Not sending)
Senior Schedule
AP Biology
AP Macro
AP Psychology
AP Music Theory
AP Calculus BC
Also applying for NEC dual degree program
My main worry is that my SAT score will get me deferred or rejected…
What do you think? What SAT score should I try to aim for to be competitive?
Ideally you’d get a 1500+ SAT but I think 1400+ will make you much more competitive. Also if you took Physics C as a class in school and they don’t see the AP scores they’ll assume you got a 2 or 1 so just know that.
@tomjagner17 - are you a senior applying this year?
Your 1310 concords to 1940. The mid 50% of the Old SAT was 2110 to 2390. Depending on other criteria like URM etc, you want to aim for the 15xx in the SAT.
1310 is about an 1800 on the old SAT but we’re in uncharted territory how colleges will view the new SAT. You probably need at least mid 1400’s to be competitive even with your URM, first generation status. Then again, you have a strong EC music profile so who knows maybe the 1310 will work. Low AP scores suggest grade inflation at your school.
Music involvement increases your chances, though violin is always competitive. Your URM/first generation status helps too. Of course they want to know you can do the work- that is the only reason for any admissions office to look at scores and grades (I wouldn’t worry about the physics AP by the way).
Are you sending an arts supplement? That would include a recording or video (not too long, you can cue to best three minutes if you like), a music resume, including teachers, conservatory prep or summer programs, performances etc., possibly concert programs, and- very important- a couple of letters of recommendations from teachers or directors. That last piece covers work ethic and dedication and other aspects of “character” which is important in admission to Harvard.
Are you applying to NEC as well? Have you considered attending conservatory for a BM without the college? NEC or any other conservatory?
I think you should go ahead and apply but prepare for all options.
@tomjagner17 - did you take or are you planning to take the ACT? If not, you will have to send your SAT scores. I’d suggest you retake it if you believe you can do better - as others have said, 1310 is relatively slow for accepted Harvard students.