Getting into Harvard?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Ok, I have some questions that are just dying to be answered about Harvard. If anyone could answer them that would be sweeeet.</p>

<li><p>First, is it better to get 2300+ on SATs? I got a 2260 before, but should I take again? Also, does the National Merit for PSAT count much in applications?</p></li>
<li><p>Also, should I take ACTs as well and try for 36? I already have 33…maybe 34+ would look better?</p></li>
<li><p>What things can I do to “show” and demonstrate my passion? Like, for example, if I like math, then should I do math competitions/contests/math club/math/science summer programs/research? And do well? And show all that in my essay? </p></li>
<li><p>Also, If i take college classes how do i report those and the grades I get in the applications? And are AP scores important? If I get mostly 5’s and national ap scholar, can I show that in the app? </p></li>
<li><p>Lastly, which extracurriculars actually matter much? I know school clubs are not important, but how bout others? Like leadership conventions? </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks for the input guys!!! :slight_smile: Sorry for being so clueless lol.</p>

2

<p>1) DON'T RETAKE!
2) DON'T RETAKE! (especially w/ the above SAT score) Nat'l Merit won't make or break you.
3) If you're a senior, which if you got Nat'l Merit, I'm guessing you are, there's nothing more you can do. Just ace your essay and the rest of your application.
4)Not sure about college classes. There's a place to report AP scores on the common app and Harvard supplement.
5) Who says school clubs aren't important? It's not which ECs but your dedication and role in them that are important.</p>

3

<p>Ok thanks again! Btw I am a junior not a senior, so the new SAT policy would apply to me. So, is there any harm in taking the SAT/ACT again just to see if I can improve? And for the school clubs...I have been dedicated to math club and have been president. I've done the contests including math league, himcm, and amc12, along with others; I honestly enjoy math and am taking a college math course. Now, you think it is alright to "buff" this extracurricular up a little to make it seem like I succeeded more? As in, I'm not only dedicated and passionate about it, but also successful. Do a lot of people do that? Like talk about all the stuff they did, such as in math club, even if it was trivial? Thanks!</p>

4

<p>you got a 2260 on the SAT as a junior?</p>

5

<ol>
<li><p>Only take it again if you have nothing else you need or want to do that day, and if you are sure you can submit only your one preferred score. I think what PSAT does for you is open many doors that are not open other wise. These opportunities can lead to amazing experiences (and perhaps college acceptances).</p></li>
<li><p>Same answer as above.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes. Yes. Maybe. (Or include in your resume or supplemental essay.)</p></li>
<li><p>College courses should be on your transcript. If they are not, request a transcript from your college. AP scores: Yes, I think they CAN be important if you have many 5s. You could send a copy of your AP report with your other supplements.</p></li>
<li><p>The ECs that actually matter are the ones you care most about, the ones you put your time and heart into.</p></li>
</ol>

6

<p>By the way, by all means mention your leadership and successes in the math club. All of that is terrific (as long as it is true).</p>

7

<ol>
<li><p>Taking the SAT once more in senior year is rather routine, but the score increase you can reasonably expect likely won't be decisive for your application. National Merit semifinalist status or even finalist status counts for little at a college where most applicants have that status. </p></li>
<li><p>There is no particular need to have a high score on both the ACT and SAT (and you already have high scores on each). Harvard considers your best scores. </p></li>
<li><p>What things can I do to "show" and demonstrate my passion? </p></li>
</ol>

<p>If you have to ask, I'm not sure what answer would help you. </p>

<ol>
<li>Also, If i take college classes how do i report those and the grades I get in the applications? </li>
</ol>

<p>All college admission offices expect all applicants to submit complete transcripts of ALL studies at the secondary (high school) and postsecondary (college) level. My son, for example, will submit six (6) separate transcripts to the colleges he applies to next year, as he did last year to get into his current dual-enrollment program. Find out early how to order transcripts and get them sent to the right place. </p>

<p>And are AP scores important? </p>

<p>Harvard has been asking for them on its Harvard Supplement to the Common Application for years, and now the Common Application has spaces for self-reporting AP test scores to all colleges that use the Common Application. Self-reporting is enough; you don't have to send official AP test score reports to colleges when you are applying, but only after you enroll at one of the colleges that admits you. </p>

<p>If I get mostly 5's and national ap scholar, can I show that in the app? </p>

<p>Read the application, which is easy to download. </p>

<ol>
<li>Lastly, which extracurriculars actually matter much? </li>
</ol>

<p>As most people know, using all capital letters in an online post indicates shouting. I will shout for emphasis. DARE TO BE YOURSELF. Any activity matters if it matters to you. (See my report about what the Harvard admission officer said in my town two weeks ago.) </p>

<p>Good luck in your applications. Apply to a safety, for sure, and attend information sessions of the colleges you like </p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/530012-fall-2008-events-where-students-can-meet-admission-officers.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/530012-fall-2008-events-where-students-can-meet-admission-officers.html&lt;/a> </p>

<p>if they are anywhere near your town. (I know of students who drive into another state to attend such information sessions; I'm lucky I live in a metropolitan area that most colleges visit.)</p>

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<p>Ok, Thank you so much for the information and the link tokenadult! From what I've heard, I'm guessing that, since I'm taking 2 college classes (physics, multi. var. calc.) at 2 different colleges, I would have to submit a total of 3 transcripts? (the high school one, and one from each college?)
To hopefull yankee: I think I was misleading, but I am actually a junior, and I got 2260 as a freshman. (I'm just trying to get a headstart about this knowledge). Would colleges see that as a bonus, since I took it freshman year? (June SAT)
Ok I've realized that I'm worrying too much about the little stuff like submitting transcripts and stuff. I need to go out there and do stuff.</p>

9

<p>A score of 2260 as a freshman suggests you could get very close to the peak score, maybe all the way there, with one more retake, which you would have to do anyway for eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship. (The National Merit Scholarship confirming score on the SAT has to be within one year before or after taking the PSAT/NMSQT to qualify as a semifinalist.) That's the main reason my son will take the SAT once more before retiring (he hopes) from that test.</p>

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<p>Ok, thanks! That totally cleared it up! I will probably take the SAT once more in February/March then.</p>

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<p>PSATs-were yesterday and in some places Saturday, if you didn't take them yesterday you would need to do it on Saturday, its only offered once a year. Token adult, what is the SAT confirming score? I thought National Merit qualifying test was the PSAT taken during the junior year. That is all my kids had to do and they were semi-finalists-that being said they did take the SAT's within the year of taking PSATs but I never knew there was another step???</p>

<p>Tomjonesistheman- take it again, it can't hurt and if you haven't taken it since freshman year you should do better.</p>

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<p>The National Merit Scholarship program FAQ explains the steps. </p>

<p>National</a> Merit Scholarship Corporation - NMSP </p>

<p>(and linked subpages) </p>

<p>In general, a lot of juniors take the SAT to set their target colleges, so most have an SAT score to send in as part of the process of going from semifinalist (relies on PSAT score only) to finalist (relies on additional criteria, including an SAT score). I've never seen an official statement that there is any particular rock-bottom minimum SAT score for going on to finalist. 16,000 semifinalists turn into about 15,000 finalists, so most people who complete their paperwork go on.</p>