Harvard Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>White male</p>

<p>Location: average-size public high school in NJ, always in top 50 high schools nationally</p>

<p>GPA: 3.9 UW, top 10% of class (school doesn't rank)</p>

<p>APs: Euro 5
US history 5
AB Comp sci 5
Chem 4
Taking English, French, Physics, AB Calc this year</p>

<p>SAT: 1600/2290 (one sitting)
800 Reading
800 Math
690 Writing</p>

<p>SATII:
800 Math IIc
800 Chem
800 World</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Academic Team (President)
Amnesty International school chapter (VP)
School Magazine (Editor, writer)
Religious School (Student 9-10, Teacher 11-12)
Volunteer tutor to immigrants (10th grade only)
More minor stuff, no sports but there's a medical reason so I should be OK there</p>

<p>Honors/Awards:
Academic team finished top 5 in the nation in 2007 (Along with a bunch of other top finishes)
Statistical analysis study/paper published in journal, publication pending revision in another scholarly journal (sole author in both cases)
2nd place in national essay contest (pretty minor thing even though it was national)
National Merit Finalist
Presidential Scholar Candidate</p>

<p>Thanks a lot everybody!</p>

2

<p>You look like a typical applicant. You have a 1600 which might be a tip factor, although ECs are average. I would say a solid reach.</p>

3

<p>You remind me very much of someone I know, who had been waitlisted, then rejected.</p>

<p>Your scores are impressive, but you aren't impressive.</p>

4

<p>^
The statement contradicted itself. Scores can make someone impressive.</p>

5

<p>The numbers are all good. The EC's are so-so. The essays and recs have got to stand out and shine.</p>

6

<p>^^ Actually at Harvard, scores probably can't make someone impressive, as many of their applicants have really great scores. </p>

<p>Anyway, as tetrisfan said, essays and recs make a huge difference, so good luck!</p>

7

<p>Thanks for all the input - the reaction to my stats and ECs being unimpressive and typical is telling. Looking at them now I can't help but agree with you. I hope that my essays and recommendations combat that perception when it comes to the admissions decision. Can't speak for the recs, of course, but uniqueness and passion-demonstration were my goals on the essays.</p>

8

<p>getting your paper published in a scholarly journal is pretty impressive- I wouldn't say that the "typical applicant" has that</p>