<p>For graduate school at least. I have an idea of what it takes grades and research-wise.</p>
<p>Also, I feel that my background makes me more unique than the average applicant. But what is the extra mile I have to go to be considered? Or for any Ivy league school for that matter.</p>
<p>A quote from Harvard’s acceptance letter:</p>
<p>“The Admissions Committee took great care to choose individuals with exceptional character as well as unusual academic and extracurricular strengths. The Committee is convinced that you will make important contributions during your college years and beyond.”</p>
<p>It’s hard to answer you exactly because we’re not calling the shots in Cambridge. But I think it’s fair to say that Harvard isn’t looking just for smart people. Harvard is looking for the people that are not only intelligent but also extremely motivated and willing to take the initiative. This doesn’t mean to suggest that you have to have done something extraordinary already–most people going to Harvard haven’t founded million-dollar charity organizations or made breakthrough discoveries in the medical field–but the expectation is that someone motivated and willing to take the initiative has made some noticeable difference in their school/community, and that will show up in your list of ECs or in your letters of recommendation.</p>
<p>Find things that you enjoy and spend a lot of time doing them. Find an effective way to present them in your application, and hope for the best.</p>
<p>What is your background?</p>