Hey guys! Do you know if it’s harder for internationals to get admitted SCEA?
I read somewhere (perhaps here) that Harvard sometimes chooses to defer internationals to compare them with the entire applicant pool from their region. Is this likely to be true?
*Please note that I do not have any evidence that the statement above is correct (hopefully, it’s not). I’m only asking because I read it somewhere and it made sense.
@nrsebayer Talking about minimum for physics, or for any science major at Harvard, I think being a finalist in respective Olympiad competitions is desired. There are about 20 finalists each in physics, chemistry, biology, or math. These kids are selected for a training camp from where five will be sent to the international competition. Here is this year’s finalists in physics: https://www.aapt.org/aboutaapt/AAPT-Announces-2018-U-S-Physics-Team.cfm
Obviously, not everyone admitted to Harvard physics is a finalist. That’s what holistic admission is about.
Btw, one of the finalists was only a high school freshman, so he’s not competing with anyone for Harvard, yet.
@nrsebayer I apologize if you feel offended by my opinion. I am not trying to hurt your feelings. This forum is for advice and not all of it is great to hear. I don’t know your son, you are correct. I have zero doubt that he is incredible. But the thing is, neither does the adcom, despite what a wonderful person your son is, ultimately Harvard is an academic institution and he will be compared against the best in the world. Now, if you told me he came from a really poor upbringing, or he is a URM and he has overcome incredible odds, that’s different. I"m just going by what you have said so far and it doesn’t look that way. I’m trying to find a way to be optimistic. Give me some more info and maybe I’ll change my opinion. I know what kind of schedule rowers have, your son has worked hard in cold weather at all hours. You need to USE THIS TALENT where it is wanted, and if Ivy coaches want him, that is amazing. All rowing teams at the Ivies are well coached, well funded etc. He will get an great education there as well. I would have another talk with the Harvard coach and ask his frank advice. I think he would tell you not to turn down a sure thing. If he is completely happy with his safety, and can see himself there, then I guess this risk is ok. But I think it’s a low odds proposition. I also think you should ask some of the senior members here what they they think.
I have a question about submitting supplemental items to my application. I am the 2nd contributing author on a research abstract that was recently presented at a national conference. The abstract is also going to be presented in February at a different conference. I have already submitted my Regeneron STS research paper with my application
@Fearthebull21 what is your question
Sorry about that. I accidentally submitted the post before I was done. My research paper is different than the research discussed on the abstract. Should I submit this abstract with my application? I read that it is suggested only submitting items if you are the primary author, however this is pretty significant research and I did a lot of work on it. Thoughts?
~225, IMO - all recruited athletes.
One does not exist. Harvard does not admit by major. That said, many, if not most, students who eventually concentrate in Physics will have strong Subject Test scores. Many/most will have 5 on the AP exams, although a big chunk of them will take as a senior. Not that it matters, since physics concentrators still have to take the intro physics sequence at Harvard.
Thank you for your comment, I am not really confident that I can get in, so what I can do now is to wait until 13th December…really so nervous
Yes. I hope I can really get in…really nervous
Mine mine was around 700 words
Is it possible? Yes. Is it probable? No.
not a scea applicant but i am applying RD and was wondering how you guys formatted your optional essay and how many words was it? it’s cool that we get so much freedom with it!
Still haven’t received interview…not sure whether to be concerned or not (submitted third week of October)
I’ve presented science research at a national conference, have very extensive volunteering experiences, and my GC said LOrs were amazing…my application showcases my personality very well, but I still haven’t received an interview!
@AnnaNura Are you an international student?
@independent413 nope, I live in the Midwest
I haven’t received an interview either. East coast. I am really worried.
@ArWrFe Are you a strong applicant? Bc if you’re a very strong applicant and live close to Harvard, i think your chances are looking good
@AnnaNura, I wish that would be true! I do not live close to Harvard, and I assume there are alumni in my area. I am still hoping…
Curious to get the opinions of @skieurope and other posters.
I just got back my 1st Quarter progress report at my school, and my grades were pretty good (A (98) in a class that’s both AP U.S. and Comp Gov, A (97) in AP Calc AB, and A (97) in AP Physics C Mechanics). I had hoped to submit a copy of this as a supplemental material, as due to a chronic illness, I’ve only been a part time student the past few years and my schedule is a bit untraditional as a result (I’ll post the full rundown in a follow up post), so I feel like showing that I’m doing really well in hard classes this year kind of boosts me and shows that I’m still excelling in difficult classes despite my limitations and my untraditional schedule.
What I noticed on the copy I received of my progress report, however, is that it lists the number of absences in each of my classes (so far 16, 12, and 11 in Gov, Calc, and Physics, respectively). Because I have a chronic illness and attend a school where the schedule is five days a week, sometimes my chronic fatigue catches up to me and I can’t attend all three classes for several hours five days a week. I still go five days a week most weeks, and even when I’m home I always work on what I’ve missed, and obviously I’m doing fine in the classes and still understanding the content, but I just want to make sure that submitting something showing the number of absences won’t raise red flags. To be clear, I am 100% confident that with college scheduling - where I’d have more freedom in class scheduling and where you will not usually have all of your classes five days a week - that my attendance would be significantly more regular. I’d also make it clear that, as previously stated, I’ve attended all classes four to five days a week most weeks this year and I have never struggled with understanding content because of my attendance (I have never gotten a grade below a 97 percent). But, while I know this, I know that Harvard might not, and I want to make sure that I’m not submitting something that I think will help, but that could actually completely screw this up for me.
What are your opinions on if I should submit this report or not? And, as a follow up question, if you think I should submit it, does anyone know of any ways to also submit an explanation of my absences to Harvard?
(again, in a follow up post I’ll post my full high school credit schedule to show just how unusual it’s been and provide more context).
@cmc1999 not offended by your comments. I can see your point of view and while I appreciate the advice and understand that going to any ivy is an honor my son simply chose Harvard as his top choice. Since he will be able to row there should he be accepted we are happy with his decision and have encouraged him to stay positive and wait for the announcement in December. His 2nd choice is actually not an Ivy. And yes his safety schools have all accepted him already and he would also be happy with any of those choices. While I respect the opinions of all on this forum, they are just that, opinions. I prefer to use this forum to offer encouragement to the members. I know many who have att meds or are attending Harvard in science and other fields who did not have a specific spike or hook. That is why everyone is so anxious. It is an unpredictable process and is largely in the hands of 40 people.