Hi guys! I just want to start off by saying that I do know that getting into a school like Harvard requires a lot of luck and is a reach for even the most qualified applicants (I’m making sure to apply to a good amount of safety and match schools as well). But I seriously love the institution of Harvard itself, (not for its US News ranking), and want to know what I can do to improve my meager chances.
I’m a junior and my current unweighted GPA is a 3.8, I’ll have taken around 10 APs by the time I graduate and all of the honors classes my school offers. My SAT is good but not good enough (1370) but I will be retaking it. But besides stats, what does Harvard look for? Do they have a preference out of research, nonprofits, personal projects, club leadership, and sports? I am an affinity club president and a lot of my ECs revolve around activism and writing, and I am currently writing a book. I will also be starting a nonprofit that I’ll be fundraising for on a large scale, and I hope to get involved politically somehow- maybe by being a senate page or something similar. But I have a serious lack of awards, and I’m also wondering if that would hurt my application. Essentially, what should I be doing awards and extracurricular wise?
There are a bunch of reasons why I want to go to Harvard, including that it quite literally changed my life, as I remember stumbling on a CS Harvard lecture posted on YouTube, and for the first time I saw a professor that looked like me, with the same culture and ethnicity as me, and he basically served as my role model ever since. I took a bunch of online Harvard courses after that and watched more lectures, and fell in love with both.
Harvard is also one of the only colleges that offers a course in my mother language, and I would quite literally give anything to be able to relearn it. I also love the black community at Harvard, the opportunities for the majors I’m interested in, the location… etc. It also has opportunities that perfectly align with my future goals, that aren’t really offered elsewhere. I just wish Harvard wasn’t as selective as it was. I would’ve still gone even if it wasn’t T50.
I’m not quite sure what you mean by that. So should I be authentic or a try-hard?
I think you missed my intro paragraph. I do have match and safety schools already, but this post is meant to ask about Harvard specifically.
Ivies (especially Harvard) are very generous about financial aid and my family is lucky enough to be comfortable paying 40k-80k tuition
That sounds like a good thing-- but would that hook really mean much? I bet there are a lot of minority applicants to Ivies (I am also not first generation)
Yes I did make that mistake Harvard was definitely the wrong one to fall in love with as well
I don’t want to get too specific for privacy reasons but its an African language that doesn’t have many speakers.
Thanks for your reply!
I mis typed. I meant to say not a phony. Be authentic.
You should the the you that you want to be and not the you that you think they want.
I read your note. The reality is you won’t get into Harvard but let’s say you do.
When you say your family can afford to pay $40-80k a year. Harvard has only need based aid so if your family can afford $80k, that’s what they’ll pay. You should run the net price calculator to see.
If Harvard doesnt want the real you, why would they want the fake you?
You say lectures from Harvard have “saved your life?” Beyond falling in love with a school with single digit acceptance rates, what have you done with what youve learned from Harvard thus far?
Instead of trying to figure out what Harvard wants…be YOU and see what colleges fit you.
You are a junior…do what interests you.
Adding…one of my kids is fluent in an African language seldom heard outside of its home country. Very fluent. This didn’t help this student with grad acceptances, but living in this very small country likely did. It’s possible that you would bring a geographic diversity to some school.
BUT keep in mind…Harvard is a reach for everyone. Everyone. Apply and see what happens. Really, if you don’t get accepted, you will never know why.
Everybody that applies to Harvard, even the ones that get rejected mostly have flawless stats.
Starting a non-profit is a terrible idea. Don’t do it unless that org will do something that cannot be done by an existing one. A general comment about ECs is that school based ECs barely move the needle at top schools. Another thing to consider is that political activism is great but if it does not make a tangible difference in your community and to the world then it is just that…politics.
What do you love to do? Answer in 10 secs. Now try to make an impact in your community by doing/extending that. That’s all I got to say.
Schools such as Harvard are looking for unique individuals who can contribute to their communities and leverage the tremendous resources of the school while sharing a common background of academic excellence and the ability to thrive on campus. Consequently the answer to your question can’t be answered generically. It is what makes you stand out that matters.
I can share the experience of one unhooked kid from several cycles back that was offered delayed admission to Harvard but ultimately decided to attend another school. This person had identified (based on a personal experience) a shortcoming in our healthcare system while in HS. He actively interviewed and sought out the advice of dozens of people to try and understand the situation. Throughout HS he pursued several volunteering options that provided first hand experience in the area of his focus. By his senior year of HS he had several potential for profit and NFP potential business models in mind.
His applications discussed the event that had drawn his interest, the problem, his potential solutions and how the various schools could specifically support his “solving” the problem. It was extremely personal and specific.
Obviously this approach isn’t for everyone but I offer it to provide context. Don’t let anyone tell you what will and won’t happen. I guarantee that all successful people at some point have been told they won’t succeed. Use those comments as motivation! Good luck.
Work hard and be yourself. Don’t feel like you have to cure cancer or start a bunch of non-profits just to make your ECs pop. Be active, but do things that truly interest you.
If you do that, your essays will naturally align with your stated interests and activities, and will (thus) be genuine: you won’t have to fake it.
Also, if you know Harvard is your #1, and you are certain it is affordable, apply in their early round (REA or SCEA…). It will still be a reach, but your chances are likely higher.
Something else you should be doing is making a list of other schools that possess the attributes that drew you to Harvard – these could be things like size, logistics/location, setting, weather, curriculum and majors, term, social vibe, etc. OR it could be something odd, like bird distribution and variety on campus. You know – whatever your bar is, apply that to the other schools. Make sure that at least one of these is a safety you wouldn’t hate attending.
You should be both. They are not mutually exclusive.
Your hook is solid, but a hook doesn’t get you in on its own. Remember that colleges (Harvard, Princeton, etc…) aren’t looking for academic drones. Do not sacrifice high grades for the sake of starting a nonprofit, for example. Starting a nonprofit that is not intended to continue after you leave high school isn’t the best idea. They’d probably rather see you making a real impact in an organization that already exists, where you can connect with people and make your mark.
Harvard has a preference for genuine interest, wherever that may lie.
I’ll be blunt. You need better reasons to want to attend Harvard. You need to scour the website and figure out what Harvard offers that other colleges don’t, and you need to SHOW them how you fit what they are looking for. You’re on the right track. Just make sure those grades stay high. Grades and course rigor are undoubtedly the two most critical factors. I should add though, that it all matters to them. There is no one thing that will get you in.
It’s possible we might be misinterpreting - but I made the assumption on this line plus the comment that “Harvard is also one of the only colleges that offers a course in my mother language” although OP won’t provide the language so not sure what it is. I’m sure others offer it.
I hope he fulfills his dream (although the I can pay $40-80K part might need more review as that’s a huge swing). But like all - OP also has to have those target and assured schools - which it sounds like are already handled.
I get it - and he’d have to go TO - but - I tried to say that in a nicer way (admit rate, etc).
You really never know. One can say this about any student - but no pain, no gain. You have to try - but as I noted one needs target and safety - and OP noted - he already had that covered.
One year, Chicago reported that they admitted a 20 ACT.
So OP is aware (I think) of his chances and blew the don’t fall in love rule but I know this - if he doesn’t apply, he’s 100% not getting in.
I don’t disagree at all that Harvard will be a reach which is how OP has described their approach. I don’t think it appropriate for anyone to suggest to a 16 year old (junior) URM that their “dream” school is entirely out of reach and the application process in essence beyond their control.
I think OP should be encouraged to get great grades, pursue ECs of interest and passion and ultimately work very hard on their application. It might not yield a Harvard acceptance but the approach and effort will certainly serve OP well.
Harvard was definitely the wrong one to fall in love with as well