<p>How do Asian students get into Harvard? Of course.. I'm aware that Harvard wants to balance the percetage of Asian students attending Harvard.. yet, we all know that we(Asians) love Harvard and Asians are fairly overrepresented.. Then.. My question is.. is it possible for Asian students to have a hook? Does focusing too much on math/science hurt your chance if you are Asian?
What about the other way around? If you pick your possible major as history or some humanity course and that's actually where you have the best academic strength.. does that help?</p>
<p>you know what i'm an asian who loves math/science and got in, but i know others like me who didn't. there are also asians who focused on the humanities and got in and those who didn't. my point is that you can't get in by trying to fit into a certain mold. harvard just wants to accept people with genuine passion for something and not something that was imposed on them by parents, peers, etc. </p>
<p>by taking an extremely wild guess, i'm going assume you're korean. i know how you must be feeling with all the pressures of getting into harvard by your parents and the korean community. you're the one going to college, not them. you need to realize that there are other amazing schools aside from harvard. if harvard doesn't accept you, another great school will and maybe you'll fit better there. also, i think it's just destiny. some people were meant so go there some people weren't. it doesnt make someone more valuable than the other. you can be successful at other schools. if you take a look, a lot of the top ceo's and leaders aren't from harvard. </p>
<p>so just chill out. try your best. don't try to copy others. be yourself and good luck.</p>
<p>My cousin was a computer sales clerk at a electronics store in high school. He also earned money in technical support. He went to Harvard as a Computer Sci concentrator. Worked three summers (one at Microsoft, two at financial corps) programming and loved it. At Harvard he fell in love of economics and decided to pursue business law. After graduation, he went to NYU to earn his JD. </p>
<p>Be passionate about what you do, not because of peer pressure. I know lots of Asian parents who would say "Oh my god, my eldest son is a failure, he is going to business school instead of pursuing a science/math related graduate education." There are lots of Asians who are very "pre-un-professional" and whose sole desire in life is to become a doctor. Today, many people are consumed in the pre-med mindset. And forget about the love of research, and learning.</p>
<p>Similarly, the same mindset applies equally about colleges. Never think about "hooks" to get in. Do what interests you. That's what life is about. And if you follow your passions, and focus, you're bound to succeed wherever you go.</p>
<p>Considering that 80% of the students at my school who attend Harvard, John Hopkins, etc. visits to my school want to do medicine, there are lots of like-minded applicants (but many whose only thoughts are getting into a good medical school considering all the questions they ask are med school acceptance rates). Simply look at yourself, find out what do you love whether its classics, the natural sciences, etc. and put that down. Remember, passion is hard to fake. </p>
<p>Personally, I put down pre-med and wrote explicitly that I wanted to pursue BME in my essay. I've second guessed myself on my concentration and will probably again at Harvard. But what I know for certain is that I would love to pursue medical research as a professor for the rest of my life. That spirit still remains true to my essay.</p>