SAT CR: 760 M: 800 W: 770
Unweighted GPA: 3.77
Weighted GPA: 4.7
AP: Comparative Govt, US Govt, Human Geography, Comp Sci, World History, Chemistry, Physics C, Micro-econ, Macro-econ, Bio, Environmental, Eng, US History (All 5s)
Extra-curricular:
Wrote a novel, now on Amazon.com
Attended MIT Launch
3 Patents
Founded an umbrella organization that unites all the Chinese studying abroad
Reformed student government
Editor-in-Chief, school newspaper
You pays your money and you takes your chances. GPA really falls off the cliff, there, but extrcurriculars are impressive. If they impress the admission committee, you might get a seat.
For Harvard applicants, yes, your unweighted GPA is low. I think the average unweighted GPA of incoming freshman last year was about 3.92 or something like that. Usually, most folks view 3.8 as sort of an unofficial lower limit. About half of students coning in have roughly 4.0s unweighted.
However, I wouldn’t despair just yet. If your classes are tough, and your school has a reputation for tough grading, that may mitigate the GPA. My son went to a school with tough grading, and had about a 3.8, but still manage to get into Harvard. As well, your extracurriculars truly are impressive, if they accurately represent the work you’ve done.
You’re not a lock for admissions, but I wouldn’t bet against you. And, if you apply to a sufficient number of top schools, someone is going to let you in.
I really don’t have confidence in my own chancing ability so I won’t do that but I’ll just tell you your weaknesses and strengths.
weaknesses - GPA. It’s not low enough to get you app tossed but it’s near that level, Race. For some reason I can’t quite comprehend US colleges think racism is awesome. Asian people have a harder time getting accepted than other races.
Like you’ve heard above, your GPA is below average for Harvard applicants but your ECs are standout. There are plenty of 4.0 Model UN Presidents, Study Body Presidents, Varsity Captains, etc. (not to demean these accomplishments, but it’s true), and your resume certainly differs from that.
It also says something that you got all 5s on your exams, which usually indicates that the class is harder than the test (at least in my experience). Strong APs and recs should help you in that area.
Would you mind chancing me back? I’m also an editor-in-chief who’s published a book (although not Harvard aspiring)
Lowish GPA
Excellent SAT
Excellent AP exam scores
Nice ECs, but the publishing a novel that is available on Amazon isn’t one of them as that’s pretty easy to do.
3 patents is more interesting. I’m sure you will elaborate on that in your application.
Harvard is a REACH for everyone, but you are a very interesting and strong candidate.
For an Asian applicant your GPA is on the lower side. You are unfortunately in a very competitive pool relative to similar applicants, so while not impossible, your odds are not great.
Good ECs, low GPA. Top schools are a reach for everyone but low grades just hurt more than anything else because it’s the main part of your high school academics. I’d still apply though your chances aren’t zero. You’d most likely can still get in a top 10-20 school with those stats, its just random where you get in and the lower your grades the less freedom of selection you have for where you get into.
I have lots of friends that went to MIT Launch - I’m glad to hear that someone here on CC has attended it! It is an amazing experience.
But seeing that you have 3 patents while filing a patent may cost someone 5 grand to 15 grand each by an attorney it sounds like you can pay tuition at a reasonable price - that may or may not help you.
You should know that Harvard acceptances are a crapshoot - low or high GPA - no one knows if you’re going to get in.
Our Chinese family friend’s son Unweight GPA 4.0 SAT score 2350 with couple of National and International Science Awards didn’t help him to get into Harvard. He is waitlisted. But he got into UC Berkeley with Regent Scholarship. So, he will go there. School like Harvard too many great applicants with similar stats. You really can’t be the same cookie cutter resume to compete I guess. Good Luck.