Harvard? Do I honestly stand a chance/how could I improve?

<p>Hi! I'm a junior this year. I've had my heart set on Harvard for as long as I can remember. I'd like to be a pediatric oncologist, but study romance languages/linguistics as an undergraduate. I've been in a cyber school since 4th grade, so the extra-curricular opportunities I've been exposed to haven't been as active as they normally would be in a regular public school. While I feel I have strong grades so far, I'm getting a little worried that there's nothing I've done that would truly "stand out."</p>

<p>I'm sure I'll end up giving more detail than what's relevant, but here goes:</p>

<p>Transcript:</p>

<p>I've been taking high school courses since 7th grade, but I'm not sure if my 7th and 8th grade credits will be included.</p>

<p>7th: </p>

<p>Honors Geometry (A)</p>

<p>8th:</p>

<p>Algebra II (A)
Honors American Literature (A)
United States History (A)
Physical Science (B)
Half a year of Spanish I (D-) I really hate this grade and it's probably 98% because I didn't do the work for it. My parents initiated their pretty complicated split at the time (it's still going on, if that says anything) and kind of started a spiral of depression for me. I'm currently retaking Spanish, so I'm hoping it will void out.</p>

<p>9th:</p>

<p>Honors British Literature (A)
Honors Biology (A)
Honors World History (A)
Pre-Calculus (A)
Career Awareness (A)
French I (A)
Music Appreciation I (A)
Shakespeare Studies (A)
World Artists (A)
Culture and Diversity (A)
Food Science (A)
Author Study about Laurie Halse Anderson (A)
Mythology (A)
Technology Education I (A)
Technology Education II (A)</p>

<p>10th:</p>

<p>Honors Chemsitry (A)
Honors United States Government (A)
College-Prep World Literature (A)
Survey of Calculus (B)
French II (A)
Health, Safety, PE (A)
Arts and Culture I (A)
Arts and Culture II (A)
Child Development (A)
Overcoming Adversity: History Through Literature (A)
SAT/ACT Prep (Pass - No numerical grades given)
Student Leadership (A)
Bacterial Diseases (A)
Microsoft Certification in Word (A)
Microsoft Certification in Excel (A)
Microsoft Certification in Powerpoint (A)</p>

<p>11: (My current classes)</p>

<p>AP English Language
AP Calculus AB
AP Biology
AP Environmental Science
AP United States History
AP United States Government
French III
Chinese I
Latin I
Spanish I
Physical Education
Personal Fitness </p>

<p>I'm also hoping to accelerate through the P.E. classes and hopefully get my guidance counselor to add German I to my schedule. If that works out alright, I'd ideally like to do the same with Latin I and get Japanese I added as well. My transcript is kind of my most unique "characteristic," I believe as I've been able to take a lot more courses than average. My current overall GPA is 3.984 (which is unfortunately low because of the first Spanish and my weighted courses being distributed more to my nonweighted ones), and I've current earned 25.5 credits (the amount to graduate is 24) and still have two years left.</p>

<p>As far as extra curriculars...</p>

<p>Teen Advisory Board Member and Volunteer at local library (Jan. 07 till Sept. 10 - about 20 hours a month)
Girl Scout with numerous awards; most notably bronze, silver, and working on gold (Sept. 2000 till present)
Student Government (9th and 10th - not offered at current school. In 9th, I was just a senator and served on the rules and student involvement committees. In 10th, I held 2 executuive positions [Sergeant-at-Arms and Secretary] and was on the exec, rules, and fundraising committees.)
SADD Club (8th and 9th grade)
Worked with NHS to host a senior citizens prom (9th)
Teen Staff for local newspaper (11th - current)
Pediatric Department Assistant (Aug. 11 till current - 4 volunteer hours a week)
Youth & Government Club (11th - present)
President of Environmental Club (11th - present)
French Club (11th - present)</p>

<p>I'm not in NHS (grade requirement at my school), but plan to apply this year. </p>

<p>I've also been looking at a medical research program for this summer at Stanford, or applying for the volunteer program at St. Jude's.</p>

<p>I haven't taken the SATs. I had PSATs earlier this week. I don't plan to take the AP tests, as I don't want to use them for college credit ($87 each seems pointless with my decision). As far as SAT II tests, I'll probably take Math and English. </p>

<p>White, female. I'd definitely need to look into a scholarship. It seems as if it really doesn't matter regarding college admission, but the past 4 years have been incredibly stressful. My mom was diagnosed with a chronic illness (spent most of Nov. 07 till May. 08 in the hospital) and my dad's put a lot of pressure on my family since he left in the beginning of 2008 (financial, stalking, harrassment). He'd been abusive towards me for as long as I can remember prior to that, and I'm very introverted partially because of it. I'm aware that it's not an excuse and a lot of people have gone through much worse situations, but I do feel that coping with these different circumstances prevented me from being able to be as active (especially at the beginning of high school) as I would have like to or should have been.</p>

<p>I think I've highlighted everything I can think of. I'm not too worried about the essay since writing is my strength. Any opinions on what sort of chances I might have at Harvard or any ivy-league school? Where can I improve?</p>

<p>I know that was a lot to read, so thank you so much if you've made it to this point! :)</p>

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</p>

<p>Coming from a non-traditional high school, you need to take both the AP tests and a large number of SAT II’s for your application to have any chance of success - without a full class of students for fair and independent grades, you need standardized tests to prove your abilities.</p>