I know Harvard is a big reach, but...is it possible?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>White Male from California</p>

<p>*Overall GPA *
3.7 UW
3.96 W</p>

<p>10-12 Academic GPA (excluding PE, Choir) is 4.2</p>

<p>I go to an extremely competitive high school, consistently ranked around top 50 in the nation. Roughly 20 % attend UC Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford, MIT, or Ivy League Schools. 50 National Merit Scholars out of a class of 450</p>

<p>School doesn't rank, yet I think my class rank is in the 20%-30% Decile (OUCH!!) </p>

<p>Freshman Year 3.56/3.56
Sophomore Year 3.68/3.93
Junior Year 3.85/4.2
Senior Year 3.84/4.4 </p>

<p>My poor grades as an underclassman can be explained by the fact that my father was severly ill with leukemia those years, and during that same period of time, all 4 of my Grandparents died. I wrote my common app essay on this, and as well my counselor wrote up on this too.</p>

<p>Economics Major</p>

<p>SAT:
Math: 780
Critical Reading: 740
Writing: 620</p>

<p>SAT II:
Math IIC: 800
US History: 760
Biology M: 730</p>

<p>AMC Score: 103.5 (AIME qualifier)</p>

<p>Recommendations:
I saw the one from my Economics teacher, it was AWESOME!!
The one from my math teacher and my XC/Track coach (he has known me for 4 years) should be good too.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Singing:
Many cash awards from Competitions
Lead Role (Figaro) in a local Opera company's production of The Marriage of Figaro
Bass Section Leader of School Choir (10-12 Grade)
Sang with Boy's Choir in various SF Symphony Productions</p>

<p>I submited a CD of my singing along with a resume</p>

<p>Running
4 years Cross Country (3 varsity) Team Captain
4 Years Track (3 Varsity)</p>

<p>Honestly, I think that if I got into Harvard it would because of my singing. There definately is a scarcity of male singers in the world today, and considering the plethora of Opera-related activity at Harvard, (Lowell house opera, Dunster house opera) I might as well be a musical "recruit".</p>

<p>Could it happen? Thanks for your input!</p>

2

<p>I don’t see why not. I’m not an expert on Harvard admissions by any means, so don’t bank on my words. However, be positive and if it happens then good for you! And if it doesn’t then you’ll surely get into another great school.</p>

3

<p>you have a slim to no chance of being accepted unless of course you can make yourself stand out. Best of luck though! :)</p>

4

<p>Are you fast enough to be recruited for track? That might be a stronger hook than singing–there are many talented vocalists in many, many ensembles at Harvard. House-level participation would not be seen as recruit-worthy.</p>

5

<p>iono how many people from Gunn get into Harvard each year?</p>

6

<p>Am I fast enough for track?: No</p>

<p>Gunn usually sends 3-4 people to Harvard every year. (We usually send around 20-30 to Stanford though!!)</p>

<p>To be honest guys, I am expecting a rejection and I am totally fine with it. I have other plans in mind.</p>

<p>I was thought it wouldn’t to be a bad idea to apply, as I know a couple of other good singers who have been admitted to Harvard</p>

7

<p>@b_hand,</p>

<p>I believe that you have a good chance. I don’t think that there are that many singers with “many cash awards from competitions and played lead Role (Figaro) in a local Opera company’s production of The Marriage of Figaro”, and at the same time with your stats, even though your stats is slightly on the low side.</p>