Harvard Chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
21

<p>@T26E4 While I do understand your opinion, and while it does make a certain sense that I don’t entirely disagree with, when push comes to shove, I take (mostly) the opposite point of view. </p>

<p>This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. A person who has stats like the OP, as you and I know, has a very slim chance of being admitted. Still, there are a couple people who do get admitted with such scores and grades. Usually they have something unusual about them. Since there is so much more to a person than what is posted on a message board, I have no idea what the OPs story is. Maybe they lived 10 years in a refugee camp in Burma. Maybe they just learned English two years ago. Who knows? </p>

<p>The point is this: I would never tell someone to limit their dreams on the front end. Even if you and I and they know that their chances are slim, I do think there are benefits to going through the process, both psychologically and practically. They have to write more essays, and hone them to a shine. Because of this, I think their other applications will actually be BETTER, not WORSE for going through the process of applying to HYP or whatever. </p>

<p>Even if they get rejected, later they can always know that at least they gave it their best shot rather than have that nagging “what if?”. In the longer run, if they have a good experience meeting H or Y or P alums through the interview process, or through visiting the school, they might be inclined to apply to grad schools at said universities, and may get in then, having learned everything they learned through the undergrad process about what is necessary for Ivy admissions. </p>

<p>All that being said, there are your considerations as well-- especially the financial cost, which to me is the one that I agree with. However, if you are struggling so much financially that you can’t afford the extra $75 application fee to Harvard, then you can apply for a fee waiver. For most average people, $75 isn’t going to break you either way.</p>

<p>It’s up to each person individually, really.</p>

<p>I just think it’s always better to dream and shoot high. </p>

<p>Keep looking up!</p>

22

<p>I think it’s better to aim realistically. From what the OP told us, it is clear that a good college is in their future. But realistically, an upper middle class ORM kid with these stats has almost zero chance at Harvard.</p>

23

<p>Let’s stop this nonsense…especially the poster who wants to increase the applications to H…</p>

<p>OP. To be blunt with your profile you may even have a hard time getting into Texas or any other top state flagships if you are planning to apply as a potential engineering/CS/STEM major…</p>

<p>…so, please do more research on schools that are more appropriate for YOU…</p>

24

<p>^^ I agree with @sherpa and @gravitas2. With a 3.4 unweighted GPA, basically an 85 on a 1 to 100 scale, unless the OP is a Division 1 football or basketball recruit, they have no chance at Harvard. It’s a complete waste of time and money for them to apply!</p>

<p>OP, you should be looking at some of these schools: <a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/a-plus”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/a-plus&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

25

<p>@gravitas2 I suppose you’re referring to me when you say “the poster who wants to increase the applications to H.”</p>

<p>You’re assuming some motivation from me where none exists. Why should I care how many people apply to Harvard? It makes no difference to me either way. I have my two Harvard degrees already, and a very full life as a teacher and an academic. I volunteer my time interviewing applicants and posting here on CC because I enjoy it and because I like helping people— and wish there was someone there for me when I was 17 to give me advice. There was no one at the time, and I had to figure it all out on my own. </p>

<p>I can appreciate that people might disagree with my point of view, but my opinions surely are not nonsense. Sorry you’re so unhappy!</p>

<p>I don’t disagree with @gibby’s assessment of this particular applicant’s chances, either, which should have been clear if you had read my post— unless they have something VERY compelling like a history of tremendous hardship, or if they are a recruited athlete-- they have a very small, almost zero chance of being admitted to Harvard. But as I don’t know anyone’s personal story, it’s not up to me to make those kind of assumptions. Yeah, maybe they come from a household with an income above $100,000— but, you know what, maybe their mother has MS and they are her main caregiver. I have no idea.</p>

<p>Overall, though. these kinds of responses make me feel unwelcome, and less inclined to continue to post here. </p>

<p>Oh well.</p>

26

<p>@GregB77777‌ </p>

<p>I wouldn’t let one or two cynical people prevent you from continuing to use CC. That’s just kind of how the internet is, and the longer you’re on CC, the more used to it you get. After a while they don’t even bother you. It sounds like you have a lot of information and advice to offer to future applicants, and so I would encourage you to try to ignore the negative comments you receive.</p>

27

<p>@gregb77777 please come back to the Harvard forum often, there are plenty of appreciative applicants who will need your help in these coming months!</p>

28

<p>@gregB77777: Welcome to CC! </p>

<p>You shouldn’t walk away, but instead look through the CC decision threads of HYP. Over the last 5 years (the time I’ve been on CC), I don’t recall one poster who was accepted to HYP who had lower than a 3.6 GPA – no matter what their story, EC’s, teacher recs, essays or EC’s looked like! </p>

<p>It’s been my experience – and that of many seasoned adults on CC – that when a student asks about their chances on the HYP forum and they have a low GPA, that student does NOT have a compelling history. Instead, what they need is a clear dose of reality from someone with experience, as they are not getting it from their guidance counselor, teachers, friends or parents. As you are a teacher with two Harvard degree’s, you could be that experienced individual who guides many a lost student. This Spring, when my youngest child graduates, I’m probably done on this forum and CC could use you. Think about it!</p>

29

<p>@gibby‌ How do HYP convert an average out of 100 to the 4.0 scale? Is it the usual 93+ is a 4.0 or do they have a different system?</p>

30

<p>I just did the math: 3.4 divided by 4.0 times 100 equals 85. </p>

<p>FWIW: Some high schools give letter grades and some give numerical grades. Although a few GPA conversion charts weight a 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 and 100 as a 4.0, when looking at high school transcripts, Admissions officers understand that a student who has a 98.7 GPA at a high school, for example, worked harder than a student at the same high school who has a 95.4 GPA – so many colleges use their own institutional formula: <a href=“Why Colleges Scoff At Your Kid's GPA - WSJ”>http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB105899458688282900&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

31

<p>:( <a href=“Would I have a chance restrictive early action? - Harvard University - College Confidential Forums”>Would I have a chance restrictive early action? - Harvard University - College Confidential Forums;

32

<p>@GreggB77777 could you please chance me or suggest me anything that I can improve on this link below? Thank you so much :slight_smile: </p>

33

<p><a href=“Can I get accepted? - Harvard University - College Confidential Forums”>Can I get accepted? - Harvard University - College Confidential Forums;

34

gl m8 u cn gt in no doubt

35

@gregb77777 - though I am from the “other Ivy” I agree with those that say you should stay on the forum and add your comments when you see a post you want to pipe in on. I am a Yale graduate and currently have a freshman D there. I have been doing interviews for over 25 years. I currently have 4 on my plate to do this cycle. Though I have nothing to gain from being on this site now except for the “friendship” of some of the regular posters (some of whom I have really good running PMs with), I do like to answer posts once in awhile to clear up misconceptions or answer questions.

I often get PM from posters thanking me for the advice I have posted or asking me more specific questions. So, all that being said - don’t let a few push you away. If I got off CC every time someone disagreed with me or made some off color comment, I would have left years ago.