<p>Decide what you are passionate about, and systematically pursue it. Also make sure you can get good standardized test scores. Read a lot for fun for example.</p>
<p>AM I THE ONLY ONE HERE WHO THINKS THIS IS CRAZY???</p>
<p>Kid, take it from someone who knows people accepted to HYPS plus scores of elite schools like Columbia, CalTech, and MIT.</p>
<p>Your entire high school life is not used to get into college. My friends went to movies, watched the Simpsons, went to Prom and Homecoming (some made court), and loads of other things. </p>
<p>The reason they got into what they got into was that they were amazing people with great personalities that showed in their essays and interviews. Teachers loved them and they were bloody smart and worked when they had to. They pursued what they would have done anyways even if it did not go on a transcript and that made them succeed in it. AND NEVER DID THEY EVER CONSIDER PLAYING IN A ROCK BAND FOR COLLEGE!!! Or ice skating or marathons for that matter.</p>
<p>Kid, if 10 random strangers can tell you are setting yourself up for failure, how do you think you can fare in Harvard admissions?</p>
<p>
[quote]
For instance, you ask what type of instrument you should play. Music should move you! It should be an enjoyable outlet where you play an instrument that you truly love. Harvard is not going to turn down a pianist just because they would rather have a violinist.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree completely. I play the F horn because I love the instrument, not because I'm constantly evaluating which instrument will get me into which college. I could have kept slaving away at piano, or taken up some niche instrument like contra bassoon (assuming I had that kind of money, which I don't) but I would not have been happy--all the musical ensembles I would be in would be nothing more than "fluff" to fill up my EC list on college apps.</p>
<p>What do you mean what instrument should you play, or do art "just to look artistic." That is so ridiculous.</p>
<p>Basically, you're setting your ENTIRE high school career based solely on trying to go to Harvard. </p>
<p>They're going to see right through that, and get that crap every single year by the thousands.</p>
<p>Be yourself, you know WHY? Because NO ONE can copy that, or has that, thus, you stand out. How do you be yourself? Find a passion you enjoy, and do something with it. But that's one question you can only answer, because only you know the answer to it!</p>
<p>Also keep up good grades, and etc. of course.</p>
<p>And be cautious about thinking so much about college right now. Trust me, you'll start doing stuff just for colleges, and not for yourself. This, is one ting that many people don't get, thus earning them a rejection.</p>
<p>None of the stuff you mentioned is a hook, because you're doing something that is obviously not "you" but just to look artisitic, or just to look sporty, or just for a hook.</p>
<p>8th grade, are you serious? It's good to think ahead, but don't fall into the "do only for college" trap that so many get into.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Harvard is not going to turn down a pianist just because they would rather have a violinist.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Actually, if they're lacking violinists, I think they would.</p>
<p>harvard isnt a conservatory they arent accepting people to fill up the orchestra and harvard has a plethora of uber-talented musicians who dont get into the orchestra.</p>
<p>i think this guy is a troll. never would have imagined there would be kids like this applying to Harvard. good luck in 4 years. you're going to need it.</p>
<p>well, i respect you critics and all, but you're efforts are pointless. im not going to change my outlook on my life. </p>
<p>a ton of kids my age can't stop thinking about sex
a ton of kids my age can't stop thinking about video games
a ton of kids my age can't stop thinking about friends
a ton of kids my age can't stop thinking about food
a ton of kids my age can't stop thinking about food they don't have
a ton of kids my age can't stop thinking about sports
a ton of kids my age can't stop thinking about money
a ton of kids my age can't stop thinking about their evil parents
a ton of kids my age can't stop thinking about .....</p>
<p>give in to the diversity of human thought patterns and accept my not-being-able-to-stop-thinking-about-getting-into-harvardness. its been my dream since 5th gradre dream. </p>
<p>"let it be"</p>
<p>eh...im not entirely sure what a troll is but i think i get it from what you said. </p>
<p>i don't understand whats so hard to believe. my parents always used to talk about it at the dinner table with my brother. plus, my friends talk about it too. </p>
<p>p.s. about the rock band....i like to pretend that i play the guitar and my singing isn't too bad. but now i see that i would have to be really really good and fmous...</p>
<p>Music is for the very, very weak. Learn to throw a football 70+ yards and run the 40 in under 4.5 and you will be a lock.</p>
<p>Ashley rejects her mother's advice:</p>
<p>Hehe. How do you find this stuff, Byerly?</p>
<p>Windcloudultra: "sorry to burst your bubble man but there's definitely no magic formula."</p>
<p>Ahem, yes there is. A friend of mine poured a circle of salt around himself (4 feet in diameter), clasped his hands, closed his eyes and said "Soy un perdedor grande que hace todo en High School secundaria para conseguir en universidad. Soy insincero sobre todo que lo hago." Three times. He got in early.</p>
<p>holocenecool: You're halfway there! Best of luck!</p>
<p>thanks, darmani! :)</p>
<p>ur friend sounds like a cross between an aztec priest and a buddhist monk lol</p>
<p>There is a difference between being ambitious and being obsessive. Harvard can certainly be a goal for you, but let it not be the only one. </p>
<p>You came here looking for advice from people who have already been through this whole process. Every single thing that has been said about not living your life for college admissions is true. It's your loss if you choose not to listen to older, wiser and more mature people who are taking their time to try to save you from lot of grief. And if you don't change your perspective now, you will have serious regrets four years down the road.</p>
<p>holo, you obviously don't speak spanish dude</p>
<p>Moreover, as a current student, I can tell you that you have no chance of admission. Granted, I'm not the Adcom, but everyone here excelled in whatever they did (music, sports, etc.) because it meant something to them. Even the kids here who did no ECs in high school and got ridiculous grades and test scores genuinely love academics. It's their passion. Harvard saw this, and they and everyone else will see through your application. Follow your interests, and everything will fall into place.</p>
<p>holoce, i understand how you feel about college. i myself want to go to a good college. but overly obsessing is going to get you no where. at this rate, you will commit suicide if you don't get in. no offense. keep your options open. do what you love. not what random people at college admissions love. best of luck.</p>
<p>sheesh, anonmarco! what you dont understand is that i DO have interests, and im gonna follow them for their own sake. but i like to think that people should get rewarded for their efforts. for me, that would be a ticket to harvard. but i don't think im gonna get it if im not systematic and stuff. </p>
<p>ive been looking over the forum and it seems like a lot of people that were awesome in a lot of "natural" ways were STILL rejected. i don't want that to happen to me...</p>
<p>but w/e i know where im not wanted. i guess ill be asking "santa" for a college counselor this year. </p>
<p>BYE!</p>
<p>edit: thanks, collegeofmydreams ;)</p>