Harvard chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>I'm in the middle of my applications and would just like a little advice. I only managed to get 1980 in my SAT because i could only revise for a week as it was in the middle of my A level exams. However, I am top of my class and have perfect UK grades (10 A*s at GCSE and 4 A's at AS level if you're wondering, and all those are 95% average). I also am captain of the tennis team, varsity rugby, head of school council to name a few. I know nothing groundbreaking, but theyre okay. My recommendations will be from 2 teachers that really like me, so i think they should be very good. Also, I like to think my essays are quite unique and above all, personal. (hopefully i dont come across cocky, just running though the basics of my app!)</p>

<p>I was wondering at how much my bad SAT score will hurt my chances? The Harvard UK site says that they take into consideration that people from different educational backgrounds will be less prepared for these exams (but im not sure how much i believe that) Will my good transcript make up for the bad score? I know no one will be able to tell me exactly how they will view my application but any comments would be very much appreciated :)</p>

2

<p>Any help please?</p>

3

<p>It’s very hard to say, since SAT is only a fraction of what your application will be. It definitely won’t help, I can state that. And it can harm your application, but it depends on so many factors (the college admission process)</p>

4

<p>Okay, thanks. I’ll just have to put in as much thought as possible into every other part of my application to hopefully make up for this big negative</p>

5

<p>^^^ See Harvard Common Data Set (page 8): <a href=“http://www.provost.harvard.edu/institutional_research/Provost_-_CDS2008_2009_Harvard_for_Web_Clean.pdf[/url]”>http://www.provost.harvard.edu/institutional_research/Provost_-_CDS2008_2009_Harvard_for_Web_Clean.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Harvard’s 25th Percentile = 690 CR, 700 M, 690 Writing = 2080</p>

<p>Although SAT scores are only one part of the application, your SAT scores fall below Harvard’s 25th percentile . . .</p>

<p>Truthfully, it’s a very long shot, but that’s true for everyone.</p>

6

<p>Thanks gibby. Always appreciate honesty</p>

7

<p>The scores will make it tougher to get in and every applicant needs all the help he can get, but you should still apply since you still do have a chance.</p>

8

<p>Um, U-CAN lists a different set of numbers ([U-CAN:University&lt;/a&gt; and College Accountability Network](<a href=“http://members.ucan-network.org/harvard):%5DU-CAN:University”>http://members.ucan-network.org/harvard):slight_smile: 700-790 M, 690-800 CR, 710-800 W for the middle 50% admitted students for the class of 2014.</p>

9

<p>Thanks for all the comments. I understand it’s a long shot so not setting all my hopes on it. The only way i’m gonna guarantee not going is by not applying. That slim slim chance i have is enough for me to put my heart and soul into the rest of the application</p>

10

<p>Honestly, if you had 2400 on your SATs I would still consider it a reach. No offense, but Harvard consistently rejects dozens of people with better EC’s than that even with near perfect SATs. Not trying to be condescending, just realistic.</p>

11

<p>1980 is the bottom basement IMO… there are only a few 19xx who are not recruited athletes.</p>

12

<p>Yeah, realistically, I understand that my chances are the slimmest of the slim. So I’m not gonna be at all shocked when i get rejected</p>

13

<p>Aww, don’t say that! Harvard doesn’t emphasize scores THAT much. You’ll be fine; the first-generation situation will help :slight_smile: I predict at least a deferred decision</p>

14

<p>Thanks for the optimism! You can never really predict the whole admissions thing, the only certainty is I’ll need quite a lot of luck! And hope the people reading my application like me enough to look past the very poor score</p>