help a lost soul realise his way into Harvard

Colleges & Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>Hello fellow CC'rs,</p>

<p>I put forward to you today an interesting tales of twists and turns that has led me to this point today</p>

<p>Little bit about me:
Ever since I remember, I have been in LOVE with Computers, Technology and Mathematics. When I was 7 I wrote down that I was going to be a Software Engineer. Till Year 6 I studied in one of the top Indian private schools and was one of the best achievers. Come year 7 my family moves to Australia. I still love computers, maths and have a newfound interest in languages and sciences after moving here. In high school I enrol in all the related subjects and am one of the top performers till Year 10. Come year 11 and 12(the crucial years), I lost a lost of interest in study as I became actively involved in sports. As a result I got an embarassing 54% average for year 12 which was in the 71 percentile in 2007.</p>

<p>Obviously my aim for top international schools was over. I enrolled in the second best university here in a Software Engineering(Bachelor of Science) course and did that for a year and a half. Those being one of the most tumultous times for me. 2 of my uncles passed away, my family literally broke down and fell apart, I moved out, quit university and have supported myself fully since the age of 18. I couldn't go back to university for financial reasons but I kept my love for sports.</p>

<p>I have played Grade 1 cricket, State Rugby, Badminton, Aussie Rules Football.</p>

<p>Fast forward to today, 2013. After finding great success in entry-mid level jobs in organisations and gaining a few leadership roles, I find that my progress forward is stalled due to the lack of a degree. I have been thinking for a while to resume my studies and I know the importance of going to the right place to get the right opportunities. </p>

<p>Now for the past 2 years I have been self studying all the books and material I can find on Computer Science, Maths and Physics. I've also been creating my own Maths competitions that I promote across universities that have quite a cult following now (its an 80 question paper that you have to finish in 8 minutes without the use of a calculator, it involves squaring numbers from 40-100, cubing numbers in that range, sqare and cube rooting numbers, 7-9 digit division etc etc all done mentally)
What I want from you CC'ers is some honest advice. I'm giving myself another 2 years to do some more learning in the fields of creative writing, critical thinking and analysis amongst other fields. What else can I do during these 2 years to really give my application a boost</p>

<p>I know EC are looked upon fairly heavily. What EC's could you reccomend for me? What other options are out there for me? Do I need to have a professor or a tutor that can give me a letter of reccomendation? I will obviously take SAT and SAT II's here within the next year or so and I've already begun prepping for those but are there any other exams that I can take might help (I've heard an IB is looked favourably upon).</p>

<p>Please give me some guidance about how I can go about planning my next few years to get a good shot at Harvard.</p>

<p>P.S. Reason I mentioned sports is that I hear athletic recruitment is fairly relaxed as compared to academic. I don't know if Harvard does Cricket or Rugby or anything of the sorts. Is there any other sports I should be involved in?</p>

<p>P.P.S. I'm aiming for admission in computer science but what pathways are available in Maths any Physics at Harvard?</p>

<p>any and all help will really be appreciated guys</p>

<p>AJ</p>

2

<p>I tried to edit it but I can’t. I didn’t include I’ve been taking lessons in Music as well from one of my friends whose doing a degree in Music, I’ve learnt piano a little bit and I’ll also be learning violins and drums soon.</p>

<p>ALSO what exams/competitions can i take/enter in that would improve my chances for scholarships, full rides</p>

<p>AJ</p>

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<p>You need to look on Harvard’s website about “international Transfers” for requirements. You cannot apply as a freshman. You should also know that the chances are miniscule – like 1-2%. for the very best students (both HS and college). Your less than stellar HS performance basically removes H from any realistic consideration You should take your mind off this one school and broaden your search parameters.</p>

<p>BTW: rugby and cricket are not sports that any US college will recruit for</p>

4

<p>T26E4, can OP take evening high school-level classes as a way to ‘resit’ high schools? Programs like this exist in the U.K., but I’m not sure if they do in the U.S., or Australia. </p>

<p>ajlong, depending on what T26E4 says, you can either resit high school or you have zero chance of being accepted. I would suggest you spend your time in an Australian college, and then perhaps consider American graduate schools in the future.</p>

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<p>[Harvard</a> College Admissions § Applying: Transfer Program](<a href=“http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/transfer/eligibility.html]Harvard”>http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/transfer/eligibility.html)
[The</a> Real 1%: Harvard Admits 15 Transfer Students | The Harvard Crimson](<a href=“http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2012/6/21/transfer-admissions-one-percent/]The”>The Real 1%: Harvard Admits 15 Transfer Students | News | The Harvard Crimson)</p>

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<p>OP finished HS and attended university for 1.5 years. That makes him/her ineligible to apply as a freshman.</p>

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<p>google college varsity rugby - lots of interesting info. that being said, OP has issues besides his EC interests…</p>

<p>fwiw, the Harvard rugby club has a full paid staff, lots of nice gear and swag etc. the university is putting money behind the program and it could be a boost on applications even if players are not formally recruited</p>

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<p>well thats the main thing. my HS scores were really really bad so is there no alternative? for example in Australia after about 23-24 you can use alternate entry pathways like sitting an entry exam for a uni</p>

<p>also in the US SAT scores matter can I not sit SAT and SAT II’s here and send my scores for those? I’m a bright student who won dux awards (getting straight A’s all year) until year 10. Year 11 I really started concentrating on sports…and the things being succesful sports brings you.</p>

<p>Can I not take part in competitions or do internships or do ANYTHING in these 2 years that would help me improve my chances?</p>

<p>I do Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu and am a multi gold medal winner for my club on a national platform. I’ve gone from white belt (1st belt) to purple (3rd belt) fastest of anyone in my clubs history. my awards have included most technical fighter, best fighter, best fight etc. There’s a lot I can do ALONG with academics, surely there must be SOMEWAY. I mean I tutor final year Math and Engineering students for crying out loud</p>

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<p>Unfortunately your chances are extremely slim, as you will have to apply as a transfer student. As gibby stated, last year only 15 students were accepted who were stellar at high school and college. </p>

<p>In the 1000+ applicant pool there will be students who have almost perfect SAT scores, perfect GPAs and outstanding ECs. You stand almost no chance. </p>

<p>As I previously said, finish your college education in Australia, and consider an American graduate school in the future.</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>THIS means you have zero chance at a school like Harvard. If you read [url=<a href=“http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2012/6/21/transfer-admissions-one-percent/]THIS[/url”>The Real 1%: Harvard Admits 15 Transfer Students | News | The Harvard Crimson]THIS[/url</a>] and compare it to your situation and cannot derive the result, then your analyitical skills need serious reset as well. </p>

<p>Whom do you think Harvard accepts? I’m sorry you hit some missteps but your future course for success won’t include a University like Harvard. You’re not in reality here.</p>

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<p>While Harvard is a dream school to so many people, I think it will help to set your priorities right. From your post, it seems to me that the most important thing you want to do is to complete your college education so that you can advance in your career. This is a great idea.</p>

<p>Limiting your college choice to Harvard seems suicidal to me. You seem to have enough passion to do well in life. Don’t let Harvard admission limit that. You clearly stated that your advancement is limited because of not having a college education not a ‘Harvard education’. Just my 2 cent.</p>

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<p>Harvard is hard to get into in any case.</p>

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<p>^ Wow. Maybe you should go and google “realise.”</p>

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<p>You had a chance at University. A chance many, many people in your country don’t get. Forget Harvard. Go back to where you dropped out. Finish your business there and then think about Grad school in the US. GL</p>