<p>Just a quick question. Is it impossible to get into Harvard with a GPA in the 3.7 range and a 2250+ SAT? I'm an immigrant (came here when I was young-- so a long time ago) and I think I have some interesting things to talk about in my essay's but is it still going to be impossible to get in? Hooks: URM, first gen, only live with my mom and we have a kind of low income but my mom works 2 jobs and so we have an income of average $55-60,000. I don't want to rely on these things as what will get me in but I think I have some great leadership skills that I have shown through work i have done at school in EC's and I also will have around 100 service hours (mostly tutoring kids who were in the same position I was in -- immigrants and whose parents want them to do well in school. This will also make for a good essay topic possibly as well). I have done some internships with politicians and if need be I can get a rec from him as well which will be good. I am looking to study economics and business.</p>
<p>Also will my chances be better if I apply ED? I also go to a very competitive prep school so a GPA in the 3.7 range will put me in the top 20% of about 145-150 students. Thanks for the replies.</p>
<p>Are you an international applicant? Just wondering, but in terms of Harvard, it won’t matter for you.</p>
<p>Overall, rather low gpa, but good SAT scores. Make sure you have some subject tests! </p>
<p>Don’t let the “hooks” guide you. I’ve had family members who went to Harvard to earn degrees but I don’t let that be my motivation to apply. You have a decent chance, and it’s not impossible. Write about how hard your early years were and then how you have dealt with everything now. </p>
<p>Best of luck! I’m applying too with a 2280 SAT so you’re not alone! </p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. I’m not an international applicant. I live in the states. I’m trying to make sure my hooks don’t guide me like you said. The problem is that in my school there are kids who get good GPA’s but they don’t take some of the harder classes like I do. Also I do plan on taking subject tests later this year. </p>
<p>My EC’s are ok i guess but tell me what you think. </p>
<p>-Saxophone 9-10
-Student Council 9-11 (so far)
-School leadership group – really cool thing I was chosen by an administrator to be in this group along with other students and we got some great leadership training and got to do stuff with that in our community (10-12)
-Football – 9-11 two years JV captain and 2 varsity letters
-Basketball – 9-10
-Volunteer – mostly tutoring kids whose families are immigrants and sometimes themselves are too. I have also done volunteer service since 7th grade. I was a part of a youth group that did service in the city. The big thing we did was we went to the local school district HQ and helped truant students to find ways to make sure they get to school and solve their problems-- this was a cool experience because I was a 7th and 8th grader talking to 10,11 and 12th graders trying to help them. lol. but school is just something that is valued in my family so this was a great experience.
-Internship with politician
-BSU (Black student Union) and Global Energy team. </p>
<p>How are these EC’s? Anything to improve on? I still have some time so it would be great to hear some feedback. Thanks. Also for the original Post/question</p>
<p>Oh don’t worry, Harvard is going to see the fact that you took harder classes than those goofballs who didn’t. They’ll know your gpa is lower because you have taken more rigorous classes. In fact, a bunch of ranked 4-9 students at my school are worrying over the fact that they didn’t take enough ap classes.</p>
<p>Your ECs are good! A very well-rounded guy. Do you have something specific you want to pursue in Harvard? If you do, concentrate on that in your essay and show your passion. </p>
<p>Hawks20062, I recommend that you apply to the Questbridge program.–you are likely eligible based on income. If you become a finalist you will have the opportunity to do their collegematch. You can also pass on that and just apply regularly anywhere, but all the partner colleges will get your Questbridge application which will show more about you than just the CA. And you will get to list Questbridge Finalist under Honors which is a quite good award to have. There is a QB forum as a subforum under the Financial Aid forum. Spend some time to learn how it works.</p>
<p>Harvard does not have a business undergraduate program so if you want a program in that you should not apply there or if you do don’t be so dumb to name a nonexistent department to study in.</p>
<p>I plan on studying economics as an undergrad at Harvard. I know there is no business undergrad at Harvard but I put that in there to just let you guys know where i wanted to go in school. So that would be a graduate thing for me or if I go to UPenn and go to Wharton. I’m for sure going to do some business/economics related stuff and try to get that on my app in my essays for sure.</p>
<p>Brown Parent: Thanks for telling me about the Questbridge program. I hadn’t heard of it before but I will be sure to check it out. </p>
<p>I’m Thinking of applying to Harvard,
This are the things i do/did</p>
<p>Sport:
Captain School fieldhockey team (2009-now)
Captain MHCO fieldhockey team (2008-now)
Coach/trainer Schoolhockey team (year 1-3 students) (2013-now)
Trainer MHCO fieldhockey D1 (2013-now)
Selected for National team fieldhockey (Netherlands (2012)</p>
<p>Rowing in VADA crew 1 (2010-now)
District selection Rowing (this year)</p>
<p>School activities:
Ecological Footprint Project (International Project)
Builded several websites for school projects.
Captain School fieldhockey team
Coach/trainer Schoolhockey team (year 1-3 students)
2 years of Bilingual education
Class President (every year i’ve been to school)
Participant Science Olympiade
designed/build a Smartphone (schoolproject)</p>
<p>Other activities:
Member Of VVD (political party)
Set up a Bussiness (building websites) (2013-now)
wrote book (about political leadership compared to bussiness leadership) (published)
wrote book (Detective) (just for fun)
Created several websites/apps (rebler/timenet/wheelic/yourmusic/kingbee/mystocks)
Set up Brokers bussiness with 2 friends (we invested for schoolmates)
active as an invester since 2012
created 3 games (from wich 1 app)
designed/build a Smartphone (schoolproject)</p>
<p>Personal information:
Age 16
First language: dutch
man
proffesion Dad: Mayor (Oosterbeek,renkum,wolfheze,heelsum,heveadorp,doorwerth)
Proffesion Mom: Entrepreneur
both studied at Twente University </p>
<p>My grades are good, money is no problem, i was curious if i’m “active” enough for Harvard.
please let me know!</p>