Harvard University: insight & input greatly needed. Thanks!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Almost 3 years of high school has passed, I have spent my time in the areas I preferred. Discuss, argue, or criticize! I’d love some insight, I will most likely be applying SCEA to Harvard next year. Try not to just chance me, try to seek out my strong and weak points!
Thanks, babes. (This information for any last minute changes to my extracurricular load, and easing approaching applicant anxiety)

Any advice or input would be GREATLY appreciated.

SAT I (breakdown): 2320
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II (place score in parentheses): Math 2 (800), Chemistry (800), Physics (800)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.97
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 5-10/300?
AP (place score in parentheses): Chemistry (5), Psychology (5), Calculus BC (5), U.S History (5), Physics Mech (5)
IB (place score in parentheses): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Linear Algebra, AP Computer Science A, AP Government, English 4H, AP French, AP Biology, Genetics?
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Published in peer-reviewed journal, USNCO semifinalist, JSHS semifinalist, National Institute of Health: Summer Intern Program Participant, Siemens semifinalist, NMSF (bleh)

[ b]Subjective:**
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses):
Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: Neontology Division (10-15 hrs/wk)
UNICEF (President-1 hrs/wk)
Boxing-freshman & sophomore year focused on conditioning, so ran cross country, winter track, and spring track for both years. In junior year I focused on more technique and force. (4 hours/wk)
Technology Student Association (3 hrs/wk)
Student Government-freshman class treasurer, Coaches vs Cancer commitee, junior year president (1 hr/wk)
World Affairs Club (Vice President- 2hr/wk)
Instruments- Guitar, Piano-frequently play in guitar bands, for much needed enjoyment (2 hours/wk)
SpeakUp-drug/pressure associated public speaking group (25 hrs/year)
NHS (should i even include, this might hurt me lol)

Job/Work Experience: Research Internships
Volunteer/Community Service: 1 on 1 relation with mentally ill students at school (1 yr), Tutoring students at inner city school (2 hrs/wk)
Summer Activities: Research, SAT studying, NIH: SIP
Essays: I hope these go well!
Teacher Recommendations: should be great, hopefully one amazing.
Counselor Rec: lol does she even know my name
Additional Rec: deciding on who to ask, input would be helpful
Interview:

[ b]Other**
Projected Concentration: Biology
State (if domestic applicant): PA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:
Ethnicity: Asian (Chinese)
Gender: M
Income Bracket: 125,000/yr
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

2

bump

3

Hey, I’m also a junior!

Everything looks very good to me (having five APs under your belt as a junior is impressive). As I’m sure you know, race matters, and I think it’ll be helpful that some of your extracurriculars do not fit the typical Asian applicant profile.

I’m thinking that essays and recommendations (and, let’s face it, chance) will be the most important factors. That’s kind of where I am with my application (I’m similar to you academically) and I’d like to think that personality and genuineness is what ultimately gets you through the door.

4

great information, thanks so much! developing in guitar/boxing through the summer will hopefully put me in a better spot.

5

bump

6

You are a Siemens Semifinalist, if you apply to HYPSM you are bound to get into one.

7

Your chances are excellent if you apply to Harvard SCEA, and very good if you apply to HYPSM RD. The only thing that will reduce your chances is that there are many applicants similar to you (high achieving STEM focused Asian male). Your credentials are likely better than almost all of them, but these schools are not going to select based on credentials alone.

My recommendations: Chose the teachers you ask to write recommendations wisely and make sure you are on good terms with your guidance counselor. Start working on your essays this summer and get others (preferably adults) to critique them. Many otherwise stellar applications to these schools are shot down by uninspired essays.

If you do apply to Harvard SCEA, you should at least go through the motions of selecting other schools to apply to and working on their supplements. The time between the SCEA notification date and the RD deadlines is short, and if you get deferred from Harvard (you will not get rejected outright), you might end up submitting rushed applications to the other schools.

Great job so far, and good luck!

8

thanks guys!

9

Yo if you emphasize your experience in boxing that would help you so much. The reason being is because most of the nerds that apply to Harvard aren’t boxers. That sport is unique and stereotypically, a lot of boxers aren’t as smart as you. Perhaps write your essay about boxing. You definitely have the smarts so applying SCEA is a great idea. I’m telling you, EMPHASIZE THE BOXING. Hahaha, good luck bro

10

ahahahah, great advice thanks

11

yeet

12

Asian is definetely not a URM. That is an overrepresented group. You have a decent shot but a very good chance at other schools! :slight_smile:

13

haha -_-

14

yeet