<p>I am a straight A, all honors class student. I am involved in year round sports and other clubs. I really, really, really want to go to Harvard for college, but I don't know how to prepare. I am a ninth grader in a private high school. Right now, my twin sister and I are top in class. I received a full ride scholarship to my high school. If I want to have the best chances of being accepted, how should I start preparing for college right now, as a freshman in high school?</p>
<p>Well, the largest and most important thing is to stay up, whatever happens, don't decline in that, but obviously you already know that. Ironically the best step to take is what you doing right now, gathering information, as long you know what lies ahead then you'll build the best chance so try and find out the challenge of your future years and plan out a future courses to take to best serve that (either preparing or avoiding troubles). </p>
<p>Though I have to say, it is not the end of the world if you don't, not even close, don't torture yourself either on this dream.</p>
<p>Ivy League admissions are a crapshoot. Harvard gets 10 times more applicants than they can admit, and the majority of them are extremely qualified. Kids with 4.0s and near-perfect SATs get rejected from Ivy League schools all the time.</p>
<p>I'm not trying to crush your dreams or anything, but it happens. Don't hang all your hope on one school. Do your very best, keep your grades up, and stay involved. Apply to Harvard, but make sure you have other schools that you're equally passionate about. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Get straight As, or at least close to it. Start ECs and continue them throughout highschool. Take the toughest courses possible. Study independently (some) AP courses that your high school doesn't offer. Start preparing for the SATs months in advance. Take the PSAT before that, and STUDY for that; people don't think the PSAT is important, but it is, 'cause it's something you put on a college app if you're a finalist, etc. and it's a possible scholarship option.</p>
<p>To get a feel of what caliber ECs you should be doing, browse collegeconfidential and see some other Harvard admits. Really, one thing I've seen amongst Harvard admits is their outstanding ECs (not to mention excellent academics/test areas). Focus on some ECs more. Most of all, do things that set you apart from everyone else. Not just people at your school, but every other applicant. Perhaps starting a club. Doing research at a local university. That sort of thing.</p>
<p>Also, prepare your essays a long time in advance, too. Really make them spectacular. That's <em>extremely</em> important.</p>
<p>If you do all that... you can bet on getting in.</p>
<p>Chances are you won't get in, but some things that can help (In order of importance).</p>
<p>!) SAT/ACT scores: Do very very well on all parts of either test, including writing. I knew a kid who had a 35 and got into Harvard, but another who got a 35 and didn't.</p>
<p>2) Straight A's: very important, but that same someone who got in with a 35 also had two C's on his transcript...and he went to a public school, and was a white male. But try to get straight A's, it can only help.</p>
<p>3) EC's: Have a lot. If you're really outstanding in one sport, that will increase your chances dramatically if you have the other stuff lined up but Ivies don't offer athletic scholarships. Things like soup kitchen volunteer, varsity football, etc, are nice, but they like to see extremely original activities like starting your own organization or club, multicultural activites, musical exploits, and so forth.
.
4) Courseload: Take honors, honors and more honors. AP it when you can as much as possible</p>
<p>5) Be black, hispanic, or hawaiian/pacific islander.</p>
<ol>
<li>Send all Harvard adcoms a pie...and then send them a letter three days later telling them the pie was infected with hantavirus and only you have the cure.</li>
</ol>
<p>hahaha, I like #5</p>
<p>but you for got about listing being native American. </p>
<p>I have a friend whose sister slacked off all 4 years of high school, gets all Bs and Cs and got into stanford with no particular EC
(likewise, he's doing the same)</p>
<p>If you're really motivated some time between next year and your junior year (many are almost apathetic senior year) you could start on your application, specifically the essay portion.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>
[quote]
but you for got about listing being native American.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Haha, I heard of someone who was of Indian descent (the asian type) and wrote on his app that he was "American Indian." He's at Harvard now, sad to say.</p>
<p>Be aware that there are many factors that go into college admission, especially at the Ivy League level and some of those factors have absolutely nothing to do with how qualified you are (kids with famous parents, politically connected, the wealthy who donate big, big bucks - or are likely to donate big, big bucks - to the university, ect....) - it's not fair, but it's life. So don't think that if you don't get in...it was something lacking in you. </p>
<p>The top grades, taking the most challenging courses that your school offers, the SAT scores - all very important. </p>
<p>ECs are also important, but what many forget is that the schools aren't looking for a grocery list of ECs...they want to look at your ECs and immediately say to themselves, "you know, this kid is passionate about ______." They want passion and focus, so your ECs should show that. So, pick one or two areas and work on those (like, if writing is your thing - you might be editior of your school newpaper, contribute to online journals, would be excellent if you actually manage to publish - and get paid- for something you write. You also might volunteer in an after school writing lab to help other students. Get the idea?)</p>
<p>Don't think that volunteering doesn't matter because it does. Schools generally prefer that their students aren't totally self absorbed. </p>
<p>And finally, this is all about you learning and growing as a person from the experience - and Harvard isn't the only experience that will give you those opportunities; far from it. When looking at a lifetime of living, it really just quite frankly doesn't matter. It's not where you go, but what you do and who you become when you get there. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Although I'm not an URM, I find the comments about URM being admitted solely for being a minority offensive and ignorant. Maybe the occasional student is admitted solely for being a minority, but for the most part they are admitted because of their ability.</p>
<p>b.t.w. I'm white so don't flame me.</p>
<p>All the posts above have wise advice, but as a senior, I'd just like to tell you to be open-minded. My opinions on college and what I wanted from it changed a whole lot just between junior and senior year. Don't narrow your choices so early on (although it's great that you're getting a head start), and be open to change, willing to try something new. Also, I know this sounds difficult, but just enjoy your high school years. Don't burn yourself out by constantly building your application throughout high school - it will fill itself out in the end if you follow your passions (I hate that word).</p>
<p>First and foremost, sabotage that twin sister!</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, why do you want to go to Harvard exactly?</p>
<p>buddy of mine, 1900 sat, no ecs, pretty rich, has his own lexus from his parents, 3.9 weighted gpa. </p>
<p>stanford admit. </p>
<p>the secret? he's hispanic. </p>
<p>I really hate it when people say "they have other achievements as well". It sounds so ignorant. Yes, yes, 1900 is an achievement to some, but it is far below the Stanford average. When a below average candidate gets in and only has race going for him, it is called affirmative action. It was cause of his race that he got in. </p>
<p>I'm not too bitter. Actually, I'm happy for the fellow since its my friend, but I really hate it when ignorant people accredit such success to "hardwork". Its something you are born into. Seriously, look at Paris Hilton. I don't see anyone defending her for her success, telling me that her wealth is because of her other achievements like her video. btw, I think paris hilton is great. she's about the closest thing to royalty that america has got. my favorite actress/singer.</p>
<p>Ok. Enough AA chat. Regarding the OP question, if you are a girl, </p>
<ol>
<li>look pretty in your interview.</li>
<li>work on ECs (pick up a few school ecs, just a few)</li>
<li>work on what i call the "main" ec which most of your time will go to</li>
</ol>
<p>make sure the main ec is something big and uncommon. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Get a 2400 or at least 2360+(it's really not that hard if you study a few weeks)</p></li>
<li><p>keep up the grades, get a high psat (then you can list it on your app)</p></li>
<li><p>if you are hot, send me your picture</p></li>
</ol>
<p>well, the last one is optional. </p>
<p>good luck.</p>
<p>ONe super important point: APPLY EARLY
but the sad thing is, Harvard is canceling next yr. But really, most of my friends apply early w/ the entire package (high SAT, Great GPA, Great ECs,) got in.
My friend applied Harvard early, thought she wasn't gonna get in b/c she doesn't have a whole lot ECs, but she got in. So I think it really depends on the academics.
But for Stanford, ECs, definitely. (So apply Stanford EA, then Harvard RD, Good plan.)</p>
<p>Looking hot is essential, regardless if you're male or female. Even more so if you have good grades - that way when they request photographs you can make a positive impression.</p>
<p>fastMEd: Don't worry, I like Paris Hilton as well :D</p>
<p>If worst comes to worst, rob a bank. Colleges are suckers for big donations.</p>
<p>But don't put too much emphasis on it because if you fail, it's going to be a huge blow.</p>
<p>^^^ just make sure you don't get caught - it might be a little tough explaining your felony arrest on your college apps :D</p>
<p>Also, colleges will probably look down on someone who defers enrollment for a few years due to incarceration.</p>