Harvard EA Pending Retakes, and other Schols

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Ethnicity: Caucasian (middle eastern.. does it matter?) Male
Location: Michigan
School: Public
Rank: 1/396
Culmative GPA: 4.3 W/ 4.0 UW (only have gotten flat As)
ACT: 32 (Retaking in October for 33+)
SAT Subject Test: Math IIc-660 (Retake, 700-750), Biology-660(Retake 700-750), US History-(Need to Be Taken 700-750)
I didn't prepare for the ACT or any of the subject tests, I just got in there and winged it. I'll be sure to prepare for each of the October test dates (and November if I need it) of each test.</p>

<p>Leadership Positions:
-Football Team Captain (9th)
-Business Professional Historian (10th)
-City Beautiful Commissioner (11th)
-Link Crew Leader (11th-12th)
-Student Council President (10th-12th)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
-Football Team- District Champs 3 years in a Row (9-12th)
-INTERACT (community service organization) (9th-12th)
-Business Professionals of America (10th-12th)
-Link Crew (mentor to 9th graders in school) (11th-12th)
-IGNITE (gifted club thing.. dont know why I'm in it) (10th-12th)
-National Honor Society (11-12th)</p>

<p>Community Service:
-INTERACT- Various Stuff - 70 hours
-Link Crew Leader - Mentoring - 40 hours
-Helping out with translating and tutoring arabic kids in Detroit during summer - 200 hours
Total around 400 something hours</p>

<p>Awards:
-Business Professinals of America- Won 1st Place in Website Development 2 years in a row
-2nd Place at an ISEF competition(dont know exactly what level or whatever) for determing if a correlation between Intelligence and Confidence exists, and the project's abstract was published in a book by Villanova during a symposium I attended
-Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (Community Service Award)
-Hugh O'Brien Leadership Award (Chosen for Leadership To Represent School at Conference)</p>

<p>Summer:
Every summer I attend football camps, but in addition to summer football camps I have participated in:
-Community Service- (9th)
-Attending University of Michigan Medical Academy (only 50 students from all of Michigan are selected) (10th)
-Harvard Summer School (11th) and Business Internship at Harvard Crimson (11th)</p>

<p>Schools:
-Harvard (Applying Early Action)
-Yale
-Princeton
-Stanford
-MIT
-Johns Hopkins
-University of Michigan</p>

<p>Recommendations: I can't say for certain that I know exactly how my reccomendations will turn out but I have an idea. I have a really close relationship with my counselor, in fact, she's the one who wanted me to apply to these schools. I'm also real good friends with her son, who is also in my grade. She's friends with my parents... in short... she's practically family. I have no embarrassment in making sure that she stresses certain aspects of my character and achievement, even if I have to tell her what to write.</p>

<p>For my teachers, I have a real close relationship with my Chemistry teacher. For one of them, I wrote the letter to the award ceremony that made them Teacher of the Year for my city. She's a real sweet woman. She's told me numerous times that she wants to write my recommendation, and her being intelligent in other areas as well (36 ACT), I beleive she will have the competence to write a good recommendation. My other teacher is a sweet woman as well who I know very well (had her every year of my high school), although I can't say for certain, students praise her recommendations and I know she's veeery fond of me. I beleive this will come across in my recommendations. I just know that they will stand out.</p>

<p>Essays: I've been debating what to talk about, but I feel that I should mention the unique life that comes along with having 8 siblings, all of them being younger than I am. I'm not going to make it more than it is, but I will put an interesting perspective on it. I also will somehow tie in life as an Arab-American in today's society as well, although I don't know for certain how yet. I'm a good writer (contrary to what my writing in this post may seem like). My main goal of the summer is have rough drafts and ideas that will stand out.</p>

<p>While I'm in Cambridge (summer school), I have the oppurtunity of having an on-campus interview. Do you think that this will somehow help me in anyway (not just admissions but learning if about the school)? I also think that if I get the contact information of the official, I may be able to keep in touch with them, and maybe put in a good word? I know I'm being a little pushy here, but I really enjoy Harvard as a school and as an environment.</p>

<p>Pending this information and the SAT and ACT test retakes... do I have a shot at Harvard EA and my other schools?</p>

2

<p>ryanberry, yes, you have a shot at all of the schools on your list. As I'm sure you know, however, HYPSM are wildly selective and there are no guarantees. These are extreme reaches for everyone. Johns Hopkins would be a match/reach. Not as selective as HYPSM, but still selective.</p>

<p>Are you considering UMich your safety/sure thing? If they are still offering rolling admissions in the Fall (I heard that they may change this system) then be sure to get your application in as soon as possible. If you are accepted, you can use UMich as your ace in the hole. If you are not accepted or if, for any reason, you really don't want to go UMich, then you really, really need some other matches and safeties. Your counselor's faith in you is wonderful but not enough to get you into these super selectives.</p>

<p>Your Middle Eastern background will be a major advantage for you as will your ability to speak Arabic and your involvement in the local Arab American community. If you are Islamic, so much the better. Anything having to do with the Middle East is is a hot ticket right now so be sure to feature this aspect of your profile prominently in your essays and resumes. </p>

<p>I'd also suggest that you investigate smaller schools with excellent academics like Williams or Amherst. They would be very interested in your background.</p>

<p>Good luck and let us know how it goes.</p>

3

<p>I'd like to add that I work 30 hours/week, at a local car wash in my community. I've had this job for 2 years now. I have been promoted to manager. On another note...</p>

<p>Actually, I am an Arab-American muslim. I will try to tie in some of the experience I've had due to my background. </p>

<p>University of Michigan is my, as you said, "ace in the hole" (hopefully I'll get scholarship money from them as well, but I'm doubtful about that), and would go there if I don't get into those highly selective schools.</p>

<p>I greatly appreciate your input. </p>

<p>Any other advice/interpretation is welcomed.</p>

4

<p>In the EA setting, will my current low test scores count me out(assuming I don't improve, which I hope is not the case)?</p>

5

<p>They won't count you out, but they will certainly be a hinderance of sorts.</p>

6

<p>Decent chance if you can play football there, below average if not. You would need to up your test scores an unrealistic amount for even an average (10%) chance.</p>

7

<p>ryan, Don't underestimate the value of your background. Being an Arab-American Muslim (with the bona fides of speaking the language and being involved in the community) is a HUGE hook and to continue the cards metaphor would most likely trump your relatively low test scores. </p>

<p>The big name schools, however, will have a goodly number of applicants with the same background. They may choose you; they may choose someone else so you may have to cast a wider net as you have no control over who's in the applicant pool. You might consider adding Dartmouth and Cornell.</p>

<p>Because the competition is an unknown factor, I'd strongly suggest that you look at Amherst and Williams. They would "fit" well with your objectives and you would get an excellent education. Even if you're not able or willing to play football there your sports involvement would push you over the top.</p>

<p>My opinion, and I may be wrong on this, is that applying EA to Harvard doesn't give you much of an advantage and may actually be a negative if you're not providing the strongest possible scores. I think if they want you they'll want you RD just as much. </p>

<p>I'm not familar with Harvard's interview system but if it's anything like Yale's, then yes, by all means, interview on campus this summer. You may get a student instead of a member of the admissions committee but either way you'll establish a personal contact.</p>

8

<p>your GPA and ECs, needless to say, are practically perfect. 32 ACT is in no way low. just make sure you bring up the subject tests. how many APs have you taken/are taking? </p>

<p>and your relationship with the chem teacher is interesting... seems like you are both very fooond of each other</p>

9

<p>I think you are counting your chickens before they hatch. Raising all of your scores significantly is unlikely at best. Assuming you don't, and even if you do raise them, you have too many reaches and no safeties. With that list and your current scores, it is entirely possible you will end up without a college to attend. It has happened right here on CC. Do a search on Andi's son. And yes, it is possible to be rejected outright in EA and never see the RD round.</p>

10

<p>I am pretty sure that all my SAT subject test scores will be over 700, since I've been scoring 750+ on practice tests for them.</p>

<p>In regards to the number of APs and my courseload</p>

<p>Junior Year Schedule Included:
AP Lang. and Comp
AP US History
AP Biology
Accel Precalc & College Calc 1 (University of Michigan)</p>

<p>My Senior Year Schedule Includes
AP Lit. and Comp
AP Enviro. Science
College Course (Anatomy and Physiology)
College Calc 2 (Fall) (UofM) and College Calc 3 (Winter) (UofM)</p>

<p>This is the hardest courseload I can have. I think I should add that I attend two schools. A state-funded half-day public selective school(admissions process and everything) part of NCSMSSST for advanced math and science courses, and regular public school for the rest of the day where I do my sports and such.</p>

<p>I'd like to thank you again you all for your input. I really appreciate the comments/evaluations. I really do value all your opinions(those both encouraging and discouraging), please add anything you feel is warranted.</p>

11

<p>ryan, aiming for any superselective requires a mix of optimism and realism. That's why the UMich rolling option (if it's still offered) is SO valuable. If you're in, then you don't have to worry about finding another safety. If you're out, then you know early enough to recalibrate your list to include more less selectives.</p>

12

<p>Actually, I am planning to work on both the Harvard EA and UMich applications first, since my counselor stresses the fact that she wants everything mailed in by the end of September, October at latest. She has made me realize that rolling admissions at UMich really does favor early applicants. After that decision letter comes in, I'll know where I stand.</p>

<p>They still practice rolling admission as this is directly from their site:</p>

<p>"# The University of Michigan uses a modified rolling admissions process. We will communicate admissions decisions on a periodic basis beginning in late fall through early spring. We will make final decisions on all complete files by mid-April.</p>

<h1>Early fall application is STRONGLY recommended "</h1>

13

<p>I'd love to give advice or whatever, but I really am in the same boat you are. Or campus, even. Where are you housed right now? (I'm at Harvard SSP too)</p>

14

<p>Thank you momrath for your input - people with such insight as you are the reason I post on this forum. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated - I'm at a loss of what to improve or if I have a chance, a diverse group of opinions would be appreciated.</p>

15

<p>Beastly grades and extracurriculars.
Not so beastly test scores...</p>

<p>No idea, but you have a shot, but it might not be so good for harvard. EA shoudl help though. Gluck.</p>

16

<p>Anything else?</p>

17

<p>In regards to testing, which should I focus on: my SAT subject tests or my ACT? They both seem a bit low for Harvard. Does anyone know offhand what Harvard's average act score is?</p>

18

<p>dont worry about it... many people on here would have traded their EC and Rank with you immediately. your test scores are fine. improving them certainly helps, but aren't you sure that you'll get 750+ and 33+?</p>

19

<p>Which high school do you attend in Michigan?</p>

20

<p>I go to a public school in Dearborn and attend a half day magnet school.</p>

<p>Yes, I'm pretty sure that I can raise my scores... but it's never good to be overconfident.</p>