Harvard Hispanic Applicant...Chance me??

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello! I am considering applying to Harvard this year because my mom really wants me to and I have a sibling who goes there. While I do not think that I can POSSIBLY get in (basically 0% chance) my sibling tells me that there are kids who go there with similar stats to me and actually get in over kids with the perfect 36 or 2400 and 4.0s because they are uninteresting and devote their entire lives to GPA and test. I do have some achievements that I am proud of, but again, I expect nothing from applying to Harvard and only expect embarrassment. Please tell me if it is even worth applying or if I should tell my mom and sister that they are totally wrong.

Sex:F

School: Private

GPA: 3.82

SAT: 2210 (M-740, CR-680, W-790)

SATII: Taking in December

AP’s: Junior Year: AP Physics 1 (4), Senior Year: AP English Language and Composition, AP French, AP AB Calculus, AP Biology

Recs: One from English teacher and One from Calc teacher, My english teacher loves me and my Calc teacher doesn’t exactly love me but I had him both junior and senior year and I have had so much improvement since the beginning to the end that he said he has written about a lot. I also have a rec from my science research mentor who is a Vanderbilt alum and his rec is amazing amazing amazing he let me read it before he sent it. I have a recommendation also from my violin teacher at one of the best music schools in the country and she is the director of the Preparatory program.

ECs:
I am mainly devoted to science research. I dedicate every summer to time in the lab and work throughout the year to achieve awards for the research. I have received the AGA Eli-Edythe Broad Foundation award twice ($2500 x 2), the AGA Student Abstract Prize ($500), An oral presentation at DDW 2015 in DC, A first-authored abstract presentation at ICMI 2015 in Berlin and the Young Investigators award for my presentation at DDW 2015. Those are my “major” awards.
I also play volleyball, have lettered for 3 years, I am an all-conference honorable mention, and I won the most improved sophomore year because I just got good really fast. I also have received a high honor for the French National Exam but I forget the exact specifics of the honors. I was elected as the only senior leader for one of the four houses at our school. I am a tutor for inner-city children in middle school. I am a member of Model UN and a member of our school’s Red Key/admission society.

I am not applying for financial aid. I am not a resident in any of these states I am Hispanic, so that makes me a URM. I know this is a slight hook but I’m not sure the difference it will make with my low overall stats. I know most Harvard kids have above 4.0’s, but my sister says that is not always the case. I also already know my GPA sucks…no need to harp on that issue if that is what you’re going to say.

If you could let me know my chances at Harvard but also Vanderbilt, UMichigan, Wake Forest, and UT Austin, that would be great. Thanks.

2

You are a URM. you’d be surprised where you can get into with your stats. You have as good a shot as any

3

Please more people reply! I know that 71 people have viewed and early is coming up so soon!

4

I think it is possible for Harvard actually but besides academically here are some concerns.
Harvard denies having quota’s but they unofficially have rough numbers about people of which ethnicity they want to accept. The fact that you’re a hispanic from private school will hurt. An admission officer can admit plenty of White kids from private schools and will want to admit Hispanics from public schools. That happened to asian, hispanic and african american kids from private schools that I know. However the violin playing will help a lot. If you still can apply to Amherst, Washington University in Saint-Louis and Northwestern. Prep Scholar Admissions Calculator gives you around a 50;50 chance at Wake Forest based on scores alone but your ECs make it more like 75%. Vanderbilt ewill be tough, with EC’s about 20-25%. I think you have a good chance at Michigan and Austin is a safety.

5

EDIT: I have played violin for 8 years and I am the principle chair of the 2nd violins in my school’s orchestra. I was selected to play in a quartet for our school’s centennial assembly. That is just more background on violin playing since you mentioned it above.

6

Did you mean “impossible” for your post @honorroll123 because you said but besides academically?

7

Now I meant possible. I should have said: Besides the concerns you listed above about academics

8

bump

9

Since when is a 3.8 and 2200+ on the SAT considered mediocre? Your ECs are great (violin, science). Not many kids get to present their research at a scientific meeting.

I think you should definitely apply. Harvard and other Ivies like to take URMs, but only those with high test scores. Your test scores are fairly good. Just because you go to a private school, don’t sell yourself short.

The sibling connection can only help. Good luck

10

You should apply. Nothing to lose in applying and honestly, it’s unpredictable for everyone. I have a feeling you’ll end up somewhere amazing, somewhere that loves you for you. Maybe that place is Harvard. You’ll never know until you apply. Go for it.

11

Apply.

12

What area of the country are you from, and are you being recruited as an athlete?

13

If that’s the driving force behind you applying, I’d suggest saving the $75.

For Harvard admissions, that will offer you no advantage.

If you want to apply, apply. You have as much of a chance as any other qualified candidate.

14

The temptation is to look at Harvard’s 50th percentile for test scores or the GPA of admitted students and to think that you don’t have a chance. What you see with a college like Harvard though is a fairly wide range of test scores and GPA for admitted students based on holistic review of each application. You are hispanic and that is helpful. Your EC’s are interesting and you have achieved awards at a fairly high level. If I were you I would apply. You have an interesting application and if you don’t apply, you will always wonder what the outcome might have been. The goal in college admissions is not necessarily to get admitted to every college you apply to. D applied to Harvard last year with an identical GPA and a 36 ACT. She was rejected but she was not an URM nor had such interesting ECs. She felt bad about getting rejected from from a number if reach colleges for a few days but then moved on.

15

Those science ECs are amazing. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

I say go for it.

16

I am from Midwest and not being recruited @boolaHI

17

Hispanic recruitment can often be more competitive in some areas, than others. Thus, there are regional considerations that also inform the decision process.

18

I would give it a try and see what happens. I’d also add Wash U St. Louis to your list as they are strong in the sciences and have some scholarships for URMs.

I assume that UT-Austin is your safety, but given that you are out of state, you might also want to apply to your state’s flagship university, if you haven’t already done so.