<p>"Mini I'm aware of the HCR, but didn't realize they had in excess of 800 members? Where on the site does it give this information as I've looked but couldn't find it."</p>
<p>Look in "Club History". </p>
<p>"Even if the club itself had a large membership, as far as students using politics as a "hook" to get accepted goes, Republicans are the vaunted URM's."</p>
<p>I highly, highly doubt it, and if I were a Harvard adcom, I think I'd be offended by the implication, but you are welcome to try it. Just make sure you have a back-up plan. Muskogee State?</p>
<p>I really can't believe that you're under the impression that your political feelings qualify as a hook...If anything, coming off as someone so passionately devoted may raise a red flag. Extremists scare people.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I highly, highly doubt it, and if I were a Harvard adcom, I think I'd be offended by the implication, but you are welcome to try it. Just make sure you have a back-up plan. Muskogee State?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Offended by the implication? I gave warning two posts ago I was being cynical about this, but a fact is a fact is a fact, and I'm just trying to evaluate my chances based off of facts. Please, don't misunderstand. Out of curiousity mini, what college did you go to/are going to?</p>
<p>I'd appreciate all evaluations of my stats based off of fact. Thanks again to all those who reply.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I really can't believe that you're under the impression that your political feelings qualify as a hook...If anything, coming off as someone so passionately devoted may raise a red flag. Extremists scare people.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I appreciate your input wishmeluck, but I strongly disagree. You might have a point, though, with other places besides Harvard. Harvard, on the other hand, really wants passionate people on their campus. At least, all of the literature points to that. And it's not merely my political "feelings" I'm riding on here as a "hook" anyway, but rather how I've acted on my strong, liberty-loving Republican feelings.</p>
<p>Ah, but see, EVERY school wants passionate people on their campus.This is hardly unique to Harvard. Also, putting excessive emphasis on a single activity makes you seem single-dimensional and unworldly. Flat. The opposite of well-rounded. </p>
<p>Again, being passionate is not a hook. Everyone is passionate about something. And yes, even as passionate as you are about being a Republican. I spent my summer at Harvard, and nearly everyone that I met was deeply involved in one amazing activity or another. Being so involved in your political beliefs doesn't set you apart, it merely gets you into the pool.</p>
<p>What else could I have possibly done to inrease my chances, politically speaking, that is feasible for a high school student without political connections?</p>
<p>Wishmeluck, you talk about being well-rounded, but everything I've read on "how ot get into Harvard" talks about how a mindset geared towards versatility gets you shoved out of the door. Harvard's campus is diverse because it accepts passionate people who fill a wide range of niches, not because it accepts people who are all semi-good and semi-passionate at everything.</p>
<p>Correct me if I am wrong.</p>
<p>By the way, where are you going/where did you go to college wishmeluck?</p>
<p>I'm not saying that your political endeavors will hurt you in any way, I'm simply saying that they won't be enough to guarantee your acceptance. They will get you in the door. However, remember that you are not unusual. At a place like Harvard, there are a ton of kids that are just as involved and MORE involved in various activities than you, and you are all vying for a limited number of spots. And you're right, being somewhat involved in many activities is not nearly as impressive as being extremely involved in a few. Generally, though, a few constitutes more than one. It's safe to say that you will be considered, but don't think that you're extremely unusual just because you're passionate. It's not so much a hook as a requirement.</p>
<p>Whether your parents are willing to help pay for college or not is irrelevant. Harvard is a strictly need based school. You parents income and assets will be consider, whether they are willing to help or not. Based on that input, Harvard will determine your level of need, if any. There are no merit scholarships in the Ivy League. There is some variation in the need formulas of each school, but not much. You can find a number of calculators that will give you an estimate.</p>