<p>The one thing I'm worried about is appearing too normal-- I'm Asian-American, my ECs involve math/sci and Asian culture, and I am sending in a classical piano CD that is not Julliard-material and thus will not hugely distinguish me from thousands of other applicants. I'm also worried that my teacher and GC recs will be good but not outstanding, so I am definitely in league with viable Harvard applicants but may seem too ordinary. In addition, I have a small amount of volunteer hours, and no special/distinguishing accolades other than my Bausch & Lomb science award. </p>
<p>HOWEVER, my common app essay weaves in computer science pretty heavily. This may be a hook because 1) Harvard's CS dept isn't very strong, and 2) I am a girl. My brother last year professed an interest in pursuing CS in college. After he got in, a Harvard professor of CS gave him a phone call, so they are probably looking to strengthen that dept.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if being a well-rounded Asian serves as a hook? E.g. being good not only at music but also at sports, and not only at math/sci but also at the humanities.</p>
<p>pathetic SATs. Classical guitar CD that wouldnt get me into juliard. no major awards at all. no weird ec's. havent found the cure for cancer nor aids. </p>
<p>my counselor doesnt know what college yale is (i hope she's heard of harvard)</p>
<p>only thing going for me is location (rural small town in Puerto Rico) from where im quite sure no one goes to top schools let alone harvard. low income. normal high school as oppposed to the few elite schools in the island that are the ones that usually send students to top schools.
dont think this will matter much with harvard tho</p>
<p>I'm also worried I'm going to appear conventional. My EC's are pretty bland, and I'm afraid my Common App is too scattered, not really showing a unified whole. I really like all my subjects, but am afraid to put down "undecided" for my major. I'm Asian, and because of that, my accomplishments may seem too ordinary. I agree with echang08, except I think she's got a better hook than me ;)</p>
<p>irrepr08 - you may have a chance if you're at the top of your class, despite the low SAT score: they could attribute it to the fact that you don't have expensive tutors and SAT-prep courses at your disposal. Classical guitar from Puerto Rico is pretty unique, though, despite it not being Juilliard-material (as long as it isn't crap).</p>
<p>My son attends a small rural public high school, which is either a common hook or a weak point. Didn't even know about SAT subject tests until fall of senior year, and while the Math 2 800 and Chemistry 780 are good, the Physics 730 is worrisome. No one from his high school has ever gotten into Harvard. And he has taken only two APs because very few are offered and they must all be taken online with a teacher halfway across the country.</p>
<p>I just don't have a hook. I don't have a particular weakness, but I don't have anything that would make an adcom think :"WOW, I've got to admit this girl!"</p>