<p>Here's the rundown: I am dying to go to Harvard and I have been ever since I started reading The Economist and The Wall street Journal. When I use the term "bust" I mean go to a tier 2 school like the University of Michigan, Northwestern, even Brown or maybe some other insignificant school. But we'll get to the chancing...</p>
<p>Stats:</p>
<p>SAT: 2340 - super scored: 2400
ACT: 35 - super scored: 36
Class rank: 2nd out of 800</p>
<p>My story:</p>
<p>I'm from the poorest part of Kansas city and attend a underfunded, overcrowded public high school with approximately 800 kids per grade. My father left my mother and I upon my birth, and my mother died when I was only 4. Ever since, I have lived with my grandmother who is no longer capable of working. Together, we survive on her welfare checks and the benevolence of others. Occasionally, I am bullied and criticized for being African American. During the winter, on the colder nights, we would sleep in community shelters because we were not capable of paying for the heat. Every day is a struggle and hunger is a ubiquitous threat. Despite my grandmother being loving, she is an alcoholic drug addict. My only motivation has been to improve my own welfare and someday help my grandmother.</p>
<p>Extra Circulars:</p>
<p>Student Council President
Varsity football 4 years. Varsity football captain and all-state player.
National Merit Finalist
100 hours of community service
volunteered at my church and often preached to the pulpit due to the lack of significant leadership
I also wrote an article about domesticated dogs for the magazine Science Today.
I also commonly make websites for my community with my knowledge of computer languages.
3 history awards
2 english awards
4 math awards
3 science awards
treasurer of the national honor society at my school
founded the investment club
founded the chess club
founded the college club
worked with and advised members of the school district's board
started my own business, SATACT Scholar, with another high scoring friend. The business has brought in thousands of dollars through tutoring and selling of books.</p>
<p>I understand my EC's are sort of mediocre but hopefully my academics stand out to the admissions workers. Please chance me on making Harvard.</p>
<p>Those other schools you mentioned are not tier 2 schools. They are VERY good schools. Do I think you will get into Harvard? No I don’t because your stats are pretty average for a Harvard applicant.</p>
<p>I’m sorry if I sound rude but your post is off-putting.</p>
<p>LOL. They sort of are tier 2, and based on your tone, you didn’t get accepted into them. And these aren’t average stats for Harvard, they are above average. The only reason I posted this is because I doubt my ability to get into Harvard based on my race. Chance me please!</p>
<p>I was really touched by your first post… I think you are a hard working person and all but what happend in the second post? The sudden rudeness… Or is it just me? And yea Brown is not a medio school n is par wid all ivies. About your question idontknow since I am also applying to Harvard as a freshman. But one rhing ia sure your chance of acceptance is way above mine. I am poor, international students wid 2210 SAT score, n subject sat 800 800 780. I wish u best of luck. Hope you get into Harvard and achieve what you deserve</p>
<p>I agree that the others aren’t tier 2. Of course they are not equal to Harvard but plenty of students go to the schools you named and do pretty well for themselves. Your stats are very good, but many students including African Americans like yourself get similar scores so they don’t automatically get you in or anything like that. Your story is compelling, and adcoms will love it. I think you have a good shot at Harvard, but with a 3% RD acceptance rate, that shot is nowhere near a guarantee.</p>
<p>Am I the only one who sees this post as a ■■■■■? I mean if true, I am really so sorry and congratulate you for overcoming such tragic adversity. But come on…I have never heard of a “small Kansas town” with 800 kids to a grade. Ridiculous. </p>
<p>Brown, Northwestern = mediocre? You wish! Two of the most selective schools in the country more like it. Don’t be angry because you didn’t get “OMG IM SO SORRY OF COURSE YOULL GET IN!” If you are so confident, why do you need CC reassurance? I will never understand why a salutatorian, 2400/36 student would post a chance. OBVIOUSLY you have a chance. And being black is a plus. Why would that limit you…? Of course you have a chance. Turn the humility up a bit and prepare yourself for criticism. The world of an ivy experience does not coddle the nervous mind. Weakness is frowned upon, no matter the conflict one faces. You have overcome so much and you must truly be a strong person if everything you say is true. But, humble yourself in the face of criticism. I found the title of this post ridiculous. “HARVARD OR BUST?” Seriously? Why do you even want to go to Harvard? Do you think you deserve the best simply because you have overcome so much? Please…No one deserves Harvard. Harvard is EARNED.</p>
<p>It is painfully obvious that this is a ■■■■■ post.</p>
<p>“And these aren’t average stats for Harvard, they are above average. The only reason I posted this is because I doubt my ability to get into Harvard based on my [Black] race”</p>
<p>I think you have as good a shot as anybody because admissions is random.
And, quite frankly, your attitude sucks. Based off of your story, you seem like you wouldn’t be as self-centered and obnoxious as you come across in your posts.
Not being mean of anything, just saying so that you (hopefully) will change.</p>
<p>Yeah not even Tier 2 schools like Columbia are gonna happen. I’d recommend possibly shooting for a Tier 4 school like Cornell even though it’s a totally sucky last resort. But you better work on that sob story if you want a chance. Mention something about cancer or more death. God speed >_></p>
<p>Trolling on CC is fun and games, but some of the stuff you bring up is not amusing at all. Sure, talk about curing cancer but still feeling insecure about apps is cute. Alcholic drug addict relative? Not so much.</p>