Help for Harvard Summer School.

[okpotate]

Hi, I’m Indian and I wish to apply to the Harvard SSP. I’m in tenth grade at the moment. I will be completing this academic year in March and I will begin my IB Diploma in August 2016. I have been speaking English at home since birth and we communicate in English in the family, with friends and in the school as well. I’m highly proficient and fluent with the language. I was wondering whether I am required to give the TOEFL exam. The Harvard website says a candidate would be required to appear for the exam if English is not his/her native language. Moreover, I believe it depends on what Harvard defines native language as. I’m quite confused and I need to make a decision as soon as possible because the applications open in mid-November for Summer 2016.
Btw, I want to take up an econ 8 credit course if I make it to the summer school. My extracurricular activities and community service is pretty good. What could I possibly do to increase the probability of my acceptance? Also, if someone could send me some sample LORs, it would be a HUGE help because I had a word with my subject teachers and guidance counselor and they want me to show them samples and I couldn’t find any samples impressive enough to match up to the Harvard standards. Please advise.

[skieurope]

I believe it depends on what Harvard defines native language as.

In my mind, if you speak English at home and do not remember a time when you did not speak English, you would be a native speaker. However, that is my opinion. You might want to contact Harvard SSP for their opinion, which is the only one that counts FWIW, I did not submit TOEFL when I attended SSP, but then, I attended a HS in the US.

What could I possibly do to increase the probability of my acceptance?

Harvard SSP is not like Harvard College; admissions is not nearly as selective. For the most part, if you apply early and can pay, you’re in.

if someone could send me some sample LORs

[url=http://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/writingrecs]This[/url] is what MIT says, but it’s applicable to all schools.

[gibby]

Do you need financial aid? While Harvard SSP does offer limited financial aid for US students, I believe they don’t offer the same for international students: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/08/13/precollege

Colleges and universities see [the programs] as money-making opportunities. They’re ways to make revenue off of buildings that would otherwise be empty but still costing the institutions money,” Van Buskirk said. “And they increase applications by giving students a glimmer of hope that they’ll be able to get into the college because they got into the summer program.”