<p>“MAKE THE ABSOLUTE (!!!) MOST OF YOUR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS. TAKE EVERYTHING YOU CAN FROM–AND GIVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BACK TO–YOUR HIGH SCHOOL(S). TAKE THE BEST COURSES. DO THE THINGS YOU LOVE.” -lowellbelle</p>
<p>-Absolutely right :)</p>
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>@john16, when I walked onto campus and met the admitted pre-freshmen (prefrosh), I initially felt like I was in the wrong place, but then I met the students who actually had studied there and thought “yes.” There’s a huge difference between dreaming about Harvard and studying at Harvard, by which I mean that it makes no sense to think of something as your ideal school when you don’t really know what it’s like to go there…all of you reading this, please, please go talk to actual students and not just other people looking to go somewhere. All student bodies tend tohave their own “culture”. See below about being able to “tell” if someone is right for Harvard…</p>
<p>@ivyaspire09, sorry, and thanks for asking, but I don’t “chance” people as a general rule…it’s really pretty useless because as I said, it’s kind of difficult to ascertain exactly what “the one deciding factor” is, and I know several people who had fairly mediocre grades but did other things amazingly or were just really hard workers. I’ll tell you this, if I talk to you in person I can usually “tell”, but again, not always.</p>
<p>@bookprinter, I think I may have mentioned that I worked for the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative (HFAI–look it up!). Harvard literally paid for EVERYTHING for me (except books, and I did some work-study), but seriously, they’re possibly the best school financial-aid-wise in the entire United States. Don’t worry about it, please…if you’re the right fit, they’ll make sure you can attend. I’m not exaggerating. Harvard REALLY takes care of its own.</p>
<p>@MrPropapanda, nice name, hahaha. And nice! I wonder if I know him/her…</p>
<p>@dreamingawake25, anthropology.</p>
<p>@rach_03, thank you!</p>
<p>~lb</p>
<p>Why does lowellbelle have to work two jobs after graduating Harvard?</p>
<p>I may be taking this the wrong way, but it sounds to me like suspicion is being cast upon the name of Harvard (meaning: is Harvard really as amazing as people say it is, and does it really do such a great job of helping people “up” in the world?) Yes, yes it is, and yes it does. Sorry, but I have to defend it at a certain point…</p>
<p>As for two jobs…</p>
<p>Short answer: Because the economy sucks and I was fortunate to find work so quickly, especially in two jobs that I absolutely love, thank God.</p>
<p>Long(er) answer: I am using these next couple of years to figure out what I “really” want to do in life, so I’m actually quite happy with the two-part-time-jobs thing because I have lots of outside time to ponder other stuff. I was offered another job but actually chose these because they will give me two different skill sets instead of just one, which means that this year will have been doubly useful. My schedule is actually quite good and I have some flexibility if I ever have to leave one of the jobs. </p>
<p>Too much personal information, I guess, but you did want to know. Thank God for Harvard. (Also, in this economy I will say that lots of my classmates are off volunteering for lack of jobs…but good for them; many of them are doing things about which they’re super-passionate. Others are doing the high-level NYC stuff. All in all, Harvard grads this year seem to be…well, the same as before, but maybe a few less consultants/i-bankers and a few more Americorps leaders. )</p>
<p>I think excellent grade and test scores are a basic for getting into ivy league colleges. Being different, however, improves your chances.
I don’t know if I will get into Harvard, there are many smart people in the world. However, I just want to give it a try. It was always my dream and I can’t lose anything, can I?
Well, my situation is kinda special I guess. I am living in the US as an exchange student for this year but will get my actual diploma at my high school. I was the best student in my grade in my homecountry, here I am under the top 5. I tried to let my essays represent me and incorporated many of the experiences I made this year.
However, I don’t think my chances are that high. I compete with some of the smartest persons of the world. And if it doesnt work, well, I will get over it. There is a next try for sure.</p>
<p>hey guys…</p>
<p>I’m a Harvard aspirant from India. Gonna graduate form High School in May. I had a few doubts.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Harvard is a PRIVATE university, right? so don’t they consider all applications equally? or do they have these sort of informal ‘quotas’ for students of different nationalities?</p></li>
<li><p>How relevant is the SAT? I mean it this way - I’m aspiring to do engineering… and my SAT score is a 2050: CR 610, M 790 and W 650. collegeboard.com says that the Harvard average is about 680 in each, and the Harvard site says that most students that get in have atleast a 650 in each subject.
(a) does the ‘650 in each’ mean a cutoff?
(b) since i’m opting for engineering and 90% sure of it, I don’t really need english in that course, right? (I’ve always been bad at MCQs… but thats not an excuse). Of the three, what matters most is the Math score, where I got 790. So, would Harvard still consider me? As in, read my essay and think about giving me a decision? Or would they just consider me incapable because of the 610 and give me a rejection letter immediately? I dont have a prob. with english otherwise… as my transcripts show a consistent 6 in IB English SL… which means I can actually do MORE than understand a text! =P</p></li>
<li><p>Do ECs have to be connected to your major? I have LOADS of ECs, with breadth and depth… from MUNs winning best speaker… to Science Fests and Art competitions and journalism… to sports… getting merits in all. And, ofcourse, loads and loads of service. Would they consider ECs jsut as they are, to think of what kinda person I am? or would they see it in connection to the major?</p></li>
<li><p>How long are the Topic 2 essays usually?I’ve already submitted mine… just want to know.</p></li>
<li><p>Is Harvard admission rolling?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I guess everything else is fine… i think my essays good enough to be considered… so lets see! 1st April o_o"</p>
<p>I read posts about URM and it got me wondering, are Egyptians an underrepresented minority at Harvard (or any other Ivy League school)?</p>
<p>Hi lowellbelle,
I really liked your answer. I’m a junior in high school and my dream is to go to Duke University. btw - Harvard is known as the “Duke of the North” in Carolina! Harvard is my second choice, with Princeton, Cornell, etc. as plan “C”, “D”, etc.
Everyone tells me not to bother because I’d have a better chance of being struck by lightening! I’m sorta discouraged, but I’m going to go for it anyway.<br>
I have TONS of leadership, volunteer and athletics to put on my application. My grades are great (4.0-ish), but I’m bombing the ACT! I think I have major test anxiety. Your scores were outstanding - how did you do it?
Thanks for the tips and wish me luck!
dlikens</p>
<p>That was really helpful. I am a middle school student and I am already fretting about colleges, and what classes to take to best impress them. I am a little bit of a perfectionist and I strive to be perfect at everything that I do. What you said totally makes since and I think that I’ll acctually take the classes I want like auto (even though I’m a girl) instead of two math classes my freshmen year. And btw I am so impressed that you got a 1510 as a sophmore, DAMMMNNN! haha. Did you go to a private high school, or were you in the International Baccalaureate program or something?</p>
<p>I enjoyed reading your post, and I really hope to get into Harvard myself. What type of school is it, and do you think the people there are considerably nice?
(I know it is a law and medical school)
Ive always wanted to go to Harvard ever since I wa little… Do they have early admission?</p>
<p>I loved reading this, I am a Harvard hopeful… OMG d-day coming soon!</p>
<p>wow. thanks!!! that makes me feel a lot less worried about college!!!</p>
<p>genius~!love it</p>
<p>Well done, but I do have one question. As far as grades go, I’ve taken the most rigorous coursework available (and even managed to take some courses at the local community college and teach myself single variable calculus which is unheard of at my school). However, in my freshman year I got straight Bs. So my gpa will not look good. I’ll be looking at about a 3.7 UW (I’ve gotten a couple Bs since then). So, will this upward trend nullify (or diminish) the damage to my application done by my GPA?</p>
<p>“what prize should I win to get into harvard”</p>
<p>The only qualification that I haven’t heard of getting rejected is Forbes’ richest list :P</p>
<p>Hello everyone! This thread has been like a book for me, i read all 23 pages of it, and it was very informative. But i just cant stop thinking about my chances of being accepted into Harvard Pre-Med</p>
<p>Here are details:
I don’t know if you are familiar with iB or not,
CHemistry HL 7
Biology HL 7
Psychology HL 7
Math SL 7
Russian B SL 7
English A1 HL 6/5
TOK + EE = 3
Total: 43/44.
Valedictorian
I have participated in many activities. Activities vary from small orphanage visits to organizing a chess tournament for the whole school. I actively take tennis lessons, and i am pretty good at it. … etc</p>
<p>I am planning for an SAT score of 2150 (according to your comments, this is REALLY low)
SATII Chemistry planning for 750 or more
SATII Biology 700 or more</p>
<p>I am going to work in a hospital during summer holidays. I have been accepted as a volunteer to work for free, doing some minor work, but in general, familiarizing with the whole process.</p>
<p>I am pretty optimistic/realistic and (no offense) i have a pretty good life away from school, and I prefer to go out with a girl or something rather than sitting and watching TV. Sometimes i get worried that this wont fit into the Harvard community. What do you think? Is this even important/relevant to this issue? I am really not sure.</p>
<p>I live abroad, in Azerbaijan (some of you may have not heard about it, but its ok) Anyways, the deal is that if i get accepted in a university like Harvard, the government will pay my full tuition ( i guess i am a lucky, i do not know?) </p>
<p>I have a relative who has studied at Harvard, who could probably write a reference for me. I really do not know if this means anything, but i heard HArvard admires people who have had relatives studying at Harvard. (i am not sure if this is true). I also know a professor from Harvard research center, who apparently studied Medicine there. I have met him personally, quite a lot of times. I dont know, maybe he could write a reference?</p>
<p>Could someone help me please? 
I think my biggest problem is the SAT?</p>
<p>Honestly, nobody here has any idea if you’ll be accepted. Especially if your SAT scores are based on your plans. The thing is, Harvard admissions are unpredictable enough, but your international making them even more so. You’ve readthe thread; the advice imparted can help you get an idea of what Harvard is looking for. There is of course no mold to fit to get in (Ibelieve this was pretty much the main idea behind this post). Just do what you love and have a couple safeties. I wish I could tell if you’ll get in or not, but I can’t. So I will wish you the best of luck with your application this coming year. </p>
<p>Can anyone answer my question? If the GPA will significantly hurt me?</p>
<p>well this is late but i have a question
like what if you messed up half of your highschool year, do you still have a chance?</p>
<p>I don’t know if this is the correct forum to post this but I thought I would would ask any way to all of you Harvard hopefuls and also current students. Last night I went to a college fair with my daughter at our local high school. It is a really average public school in New York. She is at the top of her sophmore class.She has scored near perfect scores on The Plan and PSAts. She takes all honors and Ap classes. She is involved with many clubs, honor socities, girl scouts, community service, involved with our church and holds down a job. she is a Black Belt in Karate and is also an accomplished pianist. We visited Harvard last year and she loved it. She is currently is deciding between medicince and biomedical engineering as a possible career path and thought that Harvard would provide her with a fantastic foundation. We went to talk to the Harvard rep at the college fair last night. To be honest he looked bored and to be fair not many students or parents were going up to talk to him. But he was quite dismissive to the people in front of us. When my daughter asked for some advice to guide her in order to perhaps standout in the admission process he actually smirked. He asked her did she do well in school and then went on to say that if she didnt practically find a cure for cancer or achieve world peace to give up on the dream of getting into Harvard. Has anyone else had an experience like this at a college fair? My daughter walked away and said " so you basically have to be god like in all you do? But I am not going to let someone like him stop me from trying to pursue my dreams." Sorry for the very long post but if this is what harvard is sending out to local high schools - im wondering if that is a true representation of the admission process</p>
<p>LTMREM- Sorry your daughter had such a negative experience with the admissions rep. However, you must remember that these people travel the country (and world) listening to students and their parents beg, plead, and cajole their way into a Harvard admissions advantage. When less than 7% of applicants are admitted, it is easy to understand why the reps are not falsly building up the hopes of eager applicants. </p>
<p>They also know Harvard rewards those kids with ambition, achievement and gumption. If a student has to ask the rep for guidance on how to stand out, the rep probably figures that student does not get it–that the way to stand out is offer excellence, accomplishment, and attitude. On some level if the student does not have the “goods” by the end of junior year, there is little chance to accumulate them in time for a fall application.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the admissions process is harsh, demanding, and sometimes cruel. Look at the H’14 rejects- so many vals, sals, great scorers, and great kids. Perhaps it is more realistic to not give false hope, and let the determined student apply anyway. </p>
<p>There is a old phrase about the school: “Mother Harvard does not coddle her young.” It is true in many senses and the reps know students who can navigate the school (including admissions) independently, without the need for nurturing support, are more likely to succeed and graduate.</p>