Harvard.. Should I apply?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hello there.. I am considering a major in either Business or Mechanical Engineering and wanted to know if I have a shot at Harvard and if it is even worth applying with the stats I have... </p>

<p>I am currently a junior in a private school here in Connecticut. I will be applying as an International student ( since I'm an Indian passport holder, born and brought up in the middle east and moved to the US 2 years ago ).</p>

<p>My unweighted GPA for my Junior year is approx 3.8. The following are my junior courses:</p>

<p>AP Physics B
AP Computer Science A
Calculus Honors
English III Honors
Spanish II
US History
Guitar Lessons</p>

<p>I hope to take the following courses as a senior:</p>

<p>AP Calculus AB
AP Literature
Chemistry Honors
Spanish III Honors
International Relations ( Semester course )
Economics ( Semester course )
Guitar lessons</p>

<p>The following are some of my extra-curriculars:</p>

<p>1) Flying Single-Engine Aircraft
• Earned Solo Pilot privileges soon after 16th birthday.
• On track to receive Private Pilot License & Instrument Rating on 17th birthday.</p>

<p>2) Flying Gliders/Sailplanes
• Will have my license by the end of this month. </p>

<p>2) Music Lessons
• Tabla ( Indian Drums )
• Guitar </p>

<p>Flying is my main passion and thats what I love doing. Having taken a few lessons in Tabla during my spring break, I realized I really like it and continue to daily practice</p>

<p>I also love learning languages: I am fluent in English, Urdu, Hindi & Sindhi ; Proficient in Gujarati and have a basic knowledge of Arabic ( can read and write ) , Spanish & Mandarin</p>

<p>SAT II Math IIC : 650
SAT II Physics : 650
ACT : 29 </p>

<p>Will be taking my ACT for the second time in Sep and hope to get it up to 31 or so... </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>meh, you seem like a strong, rather unique candidate, but the test scores are really low. unless you can pull them up significantly i'd recommend looking at some different schools.</p>

3

<p>I envy the flying credentials... and Im of the opinion that you have to apply anywhere you would consider going to... that way, you have no regrets!!!</p>

4

<p>Thanks for your opinions... </p>

<p>Jimbob, which test scores do you recommend I increase? my ACT or SATII's?</p>

<p>Feli, the problem is that my guidance counsellor is of the opinion that I need to have a more "focused" college list with realistic matches and reaches..</p>

5

<p>jai, if you take the ACT, you do not have to submit SAT2s. Therefore, raise the ACT!</p>

6

<p>well, a 650 in math 2c is below average, which is 670... :(</p>

7

<p>
[quote]
jai, if you take the ACT, you do not have to submit SAT2s. Therefore, raise the ACT!

[/quote]
</p>

<p>From what I checked on Harvard website, they need three SATII along with the ACT. :(</p>

<p>
[quote]
well, a 650 in math 2c is below average, which is 670...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Doh! Don't think i'm going to be able to get it up since I dont do too well on timed tests ...</p>

8

<p>What the heck, GO FOR IT! .. you never know you might just get in</p>

9

<p>hes definately not going to make it... i dont mean to be mean jai...but it appear your just not smart enough.. IM REALLY sorry to say</p>

10

<p>Are you being sarcastic or serious? Its hard to tell...</p>

11

<p>im serious it doesnt look go for you... im dead serious
A harvard student must get 750 plus on sat II
on the SAT I you need a 2300 plus and your scores are much below average </p>

<p>i am really sorry.. im just telling you the honest truth about this
Im not a mean person its just that the odds of you getting is around 5 percent maybe not even</p>

<p>I AM really sorry</p>

12

<p>your grades can get you into a low ranked college or even a medium ranked one, but with your grade i doubt your going to get into any IVY league</p>

13

<p>Cool.. Thanks for your opinion. I had the same apprehensions but I might apply anyways and just give it a shot.... That way, I know I tried..</p>

<p>
[quote]
ut with your grade i doubt your going to get into any IVY league

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well I have bad SATII scores so I'm hoping to apply to Ivy's that dont require them ( Upenn and Brown ). Will try and get my ACT score up in the 30's..</p>

14

<p>i didnt take the act...whats the highest you can get on that. and from that i can judge if you are able to get in one of those selected college and by the way are you allowed to take a SATII i know the SATI are allowed to be taken again</p>

15

<p>sean .. i think thats a lil harsh to say .. dont get a persons hopes dont :: DONT SAY IM SORRY YOUR NOT GONNA GET IN .. say what he needs to improve in !
then he can work from there >>
jai ;: work hard .. write a killer essay .. and it cant hurt to try</p>

<p>good luck</p>

16

<p>i wasnt trying to be mean, i was just trying to be truthful with jai, his expectations may collapse on him and hurt him even more and i dont feel as though he would be comfortable taking classes above his level and maybe he is smart but the college may not take him and at a normal college he is likely to run into people on his own level and even some competition :)</p>

17

<p>Sean is somewhat right...typical applicants are generally going to need very high scores to at least be given a second thought, but unique ones like yourself can sometimes get away with slightly lower scores. If I were you, I'd just aim for 31+ on ACT to get your foot in the door. Harvard's a long shot for most anyone, but it's not only based on test scores. </p>

<p>Just realize that there may be a pilot like yourself that has stellar test scores and he/she will be chosen instead. With thousands of applicants, it's not only possible but likely. Test scores are typically one of the easiest things to improve, so study hard using Barron's or Blue Book (recommend) and aim for a higher score. You can take the ACT as many times as you want and then only send in the best score, so take advantage of that.</p>

<p>That said, anyone has a chance at Harvard. I've seen some ppl on CC get accepted with "sub-Harvard" scores.</p>

18

<p>what did you guys get on the math A regents and the earth science regents and the chemistry regents and the BIOLOGy regents</p>

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<p>let me put it another way very few people get in and those people usually get in cause of the DUMB IDIOTIC AA which is very unfairful</p>

<p>but there are people like me who work hard and wana get in, honestly im a future freshmen in highschool, though i have my future planned out</p>

20

<p>"i have my future planned out"</p>

<p>VERY scary.</p>

<p>Why exactly do you feel you must go to Harvard?</p>