<p>sherpa: I faked my way in and posted. I don’t think vee can tell the difference. Shhhhhh…</p>
<p>@T26E4: Didn’t you go to that other school? Get off our lawn now! ^_^</p>
<p>@lowellbelle</p>
<p>I’m a senior at a Career Technical High School in Alaska. My freshman and sophomore years were pretty bad but I have a 3.88 GPA now. I got a 1980 on the SAT. I was just wondering what’s your opinion on my stats? I am a first generation russian-american, bilingual (fluent in English and Russian), from a single parent home, 3 time gold medal winner for state science Olympiad. Also, what would Ivy Leagues think of my grades? They’ve risen significantly. I had a D my freshman year and now as a senior I have all A’s. Thanks!</p>
<p>Mishka - Welcome to CC. It is generally best to search old threads for information, but not to post in them. It is better to start a new thread with your questions. lowellbelle has not posted anything in almost a year and is unlikely to answer you.</p>
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<p>to get into harvard or any ivy league, my honest advice is to 1) do well in school 2) do well on your standardized tests 3) find something or two that you absolutely love and try to be the best you possibly can at it 4) apply</p>
<p>Mishka, according to Harvard Gazette, the academic profile of Class of 16 applicants is as follows:</p>
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<p>I just want to say thank you for your advice. It provides me with more assurance and confidence that it is not illegal to have a life while making my way to Harvard. I know it has taken time and and care from your personal experience to be able to write this great advice. It would mean a great deal if I could talk further on this matter with you, as well as commence a correspondence with a mentor.</p>
<p>cdn786, welcome to CC but you realize that your post is just appended to a long thread, right? No one knows to whom you addressed your “thanks”.</p>
<p>To whomever may have the most useful response… I was a major screw up in high school and I know thankfully I graduated through a lot of struggles. I now look back and have many regrets. My dream now is to enroll and graduate from a good college other than a community college. Can I get any advice and steps I should take. Please and thank you.</p>
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<p>I’ve heard that some people in situations like yours go to community college for a year or 2, do really well in all their courses, and then transfer to a better school for their remaining years. I suggest you try something like that - though I don’t think Harvard would be within your grasp.</p>
<p>… Or is it Under Resourced Minority?</p>
<p>ethnicity??</p>
<p>I’m happy truly or all of you who were accepted to Harvard by being genuine, well-rounded and by showing leadership, as well as amazing grades,test scores.and recommendations.
That said, the admissions process can surely be a “crapshoot” and no matter how well you do, or what you do, you may still be disappointed in the spring- my daughter’s experience is just an example.
This is not a sour grapes response, just a reality check for those who are applying, as I am still not sure why my D was not accepted for admission. For those who are interested, here
is her information:
36 ACT on first try (did not take SAT-was told it was unnecessary), 4.0 GPA (4.875 weighted), and 800 on both SAT subject tests(Chemistry and Math), mostly 5’s, and some 4’s on her 7 AP courses.
Valedictorian (one of 35-extremely bright and competitive high school).
As far as well rounded-participated in MUN all 4 years with numerous awards, was on the equestrian team all 4 years, as well as multiple clubs-French,Art,Science,English,etc, attended and led a religious youth group, and took
piano and singing lessons throughout high school just for fun (starting at 6 years of age). She realized her interest in math and chemistry, and became interested in engineering the end of sophomore year and did an internship and research the summer before her Senior year at a well known engineering college, and continued the research through her final year.
As far as leadership-she was captain of the equestrian team and Secretary General (like president) of MUN her senior year (MUN is the largest club at her large high school). Her sophomore year she was president of a religious youth group
For achievement, she was awarded several school and department awards, but her most notable were Champion of her equestrian league in all 3 categories of her division, as well as
the entire division championship her senior year. In science, she won both the county and state science fair in Physics (she lives in a very large state as well).
The typical number of hours of community service and volunteer work were accomplished at
pony camp, religious camp and also by tutoring.
And to top it off she was told by her Harvard interviewer he gave her the “best recommendation he had given a student in 12 years”, so we thought she had an extremely
good chance to be admitted. (FYI-her interviewer did not tell her about his recommendation until he noticed her name on the waiting list, and then contacted her to see if he could help her out any more if she planned to stay on the waiting list).
So for all you students out there who plan to apply-you may be extremely disappointed no matter how well you do, and remember there is about a 95% chance you will end up somewhere else. Make sure you apply to other schools you know you will be happy with, and Good LUCK!</p>
<p>Your daughter will do well no matter where she goes:)
They say a world renowned photographer could take an amazing photo with a disposable camera, and it’s true. I wish her all the best.</p>
<p>Can somebody please tell me if my extra curriculars are strong enough for Harvard (planning on majoring in economics)? </p>
<p>I am on the debating society and recently represented my school in Berlin.
I have work experience at an investment firm in London and I tutor GCSE maths.
I play guitar and I am part of the RAF cadets.
I have a gliding scholarship and an academic scholarship.
I run on the school cross country team.
I have directed a few plays and write for the school paper.
I founded my school’s film club.</p>
<p>I study in the UK by the way.</p>
<p>The number one thing anyone can do to get into Harvard is stop being obsessed with HARVARD. They don’t accept the desperate ones.</p>
<p>I’m not obsessed I just want to know if my Extra Curriculars would be a bit weak.</p>
<p>Does anyone have advice for leadership positions in high school other than student body? How do you set yourself apart from other people applying to schools like Harvard. When everyone has amazing grades, does it really come down to the essay? How many hours of volunteer work should we have? I guess what I really want to know is, how do you get Harvard to notice you?
~ Thank you</p>
<p>SL101: the first post here is written for you:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/835055-calculate-your-chances-admission-harvard.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/835055-calculate-your-chances-admission-harvard.html</a></p>
<p>Basically, if you have to ask, then it’s already too late. You don’t “get Harvard to notice you”. In the course of being excellent, you apply to schools like Harvard et al. The kicker is being excellent along the way. There is no formula.</p>
<p>This may be its own thread, and may have been answered before, but I’m curious about something posters on this thread might be able to answer, and that is, “Why Harvard?”</p>
<p>We just came back from a NE college tour, and Harvard doesn’t sell itself well.</p>
<p>Maybe it feels like it doesn’t have to. It probably doesn’t. But my DD left thinking that only the name-obsessed would even apply. Are there any serious students at Harvard, or are they all stalking celebrities? ( That was the main focus of the tours, and we switched tours three times to try and find a less obnoxious tour guide - no luck, but we did find a sweet professor who gave us a private, low key tour. It really didn’t make up for the behavior out of the admissions office, though.) So, why would a serious student even want to go to Harvard? (This is a sincere question.)</p>