How To Get Into Harvard (by a Harvard student)

<p>hey, does harvard consider freshmen high school grades?</p>

<p>Yes. Princeton and Stanford do not.</p>

<p>How does one get into Harvard (or a school with a similar admission process) if he/she does not know what he/she likes to do/is passionate about? I’ve been in this predicament for the past year or so; my interests keep changing from day to day (well, sort of), and pretty much everybody I know who has been accepted into Harvard has said that they just did what they liked to do. Can you guys please help me out?</p>

<p>@stef1a: Give everything a try! Maybe you have a lot of different interests, which was certainly the case for me; I didn’t really have a “passion” like so many students seem to have. I spent my high school years doing everything from figure skating to math team to doing HIV/AIDS outreach - you’ll find certain activities that you really enjoy and can stick with for awhile. :)</p>

<p>@notamushroom: Thank you very much. :)</p>

<p>Could anyone else please give some advice?</p>

<p>My essay writing skills are absolutely hopeless and I am going to take weeks to produce an acceptable essay. Does that mean I am not bright enough to be accepted into Harvard?</p>

<p>Also, I am currently in grade 10 so should I start taking the ACTs as well as the SATs?</p>

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<p>It means that you need to work on your writing.</p>

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<p>You should start looking into both tests and see which one caters better to your abilities.</p>

<p>Thanks but how do I know which one best suits my abilities? Should I just take both? And should I also take the subject tests? Though I don’t really understand what are the subject tests for…</p>

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<p>Try some practice tests with both. Use the Official SAT Study Guide for the SAT. I offer significant SAT advice in my guide, which is stickied in the SAT Preparation forum. After giving both tests a solid try, pursue whichever seems more promising.</p>

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<p>In many ways, SAT Subject Tests are similar to AP tests except that the former are used more for admissions purposes, whereas the latter are for college credit mostly. Subject Tests are each an hour long, and you need to take at least two in order to apply to Harvard.</p>

<p>Oh! Thank you! wow you reply fast! Are you sure your not a automatic computer responder? lol:) If you’re still online, can you give me some tips on how to do better on the SAT? I own the official study guide and I have been doing the practice tests but I NEVER get my score above 2000, not even 1900! It’s mostly 1600-1800. I get so stressed too!!!</p>

<p>I have offered advice here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I am really confused! Can someone explain to me exactly what grade is sophomre, junior and freshmen is? Like is junior from grade 8-9 or something?</p>

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<p>Grade 9 is freshman, 10 is sophomore, 11 is junior, and 12 is senior. For some, college follows thereafter.</p>

<p>That helped a lot!</p>

<p>I want to go to Harvard, and my grades are consistently A’s. I’ve been getting 4’s and 5’s on my AP tests, and I got a 750 on my World History SAT II. However, my problem is the SAT. I tok it last year, and got mid-600’s on each sections. But that’s not good enough, and I need some advice, 'cause I’m going ot be a junior next year. The mathematics sections is my largest issue.</p>

<p>I took the SATs twice in the past 6 months, I improved on all sections
Math: went up 20
Reading went up 70
Writing went up 70</p>

<p>And this was in my junior year (which ended a month ago…whew.)
I think you’ll be fine, you’ve got to really want to get a good score, and have some sort of motivation to keep you going. Mine was that a friend got 2260 on hers, and being competitive, I strove to beat her score. I got 20 lower, but I’m still proud of how much I improved. </p>

<p>Also, do not procrastinate, it doesn’t help the nerves. (:</p>

<p>But, Tomatopuree16, don’t worry, you’ve got time. And I’m not familiar with AP classes and all that, but I think you took then in grade 12? Aren’t they usually grade 12+ material?</p>

<p>(we don’t have as elaborate AP programs. All ours is is a bunch of people getting together after school with AP prep books and hoping for the best…)</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>I’m reviewing for the SAT II, I’m taking three.
<em>crosses fingers they’ll be good enough for Harvard</em></p>

<p>It’s not all about grades. 90% of the people who get perfect scores get rejected, so you really need to make sure you have something about you that makes you different. As long as you have decent test scores, they don’t count for much.</p>

<p>are you/your parents super rich? cuz i hear thats the only way to get into harvard</p>

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I am going to be a Junior in High School this coming August.
My GPA is not so great.
And I will be taking my PSAT, SAT, and ACT this year.</p>

<p>Sadly I failed two classes this year because of recovery issues. (Chemistry Honors and World History AP)</p>

<p>I really had a dream of going to an Ivy League college, but I don’t know anymore.
Please help me by telling me what I could do. I am a well rounded person in Sports, and I am a strong leader in Kung Fu. I have made many Short Films as a hobby and I love Music.</p>

<p>I have a great passion for Harvard, but…</p>

<p>Please tell me what you think would be best for me to do. Even the littlest thing can always be helpful.</p>

<p>Thanks,
goodday94</p>

<p>Honestly… Failing a class is bad. But Failing TWO Classes is inexcusable. Even if u do pull ur gpa up high it is not likely at all. But if you really are good at sports they might still recruit you so u have a slight chance. Just make sure your test scores are super high to make up for those failing classes. And also take alot of APs AND get 5s on the exams.</p>