Idea for a Supplemental Essay ....

[citylife973]

<p>Last minute, I have decided to apply to Harvard,which i believed before to be way out of my league. Could my supplement be on the fact that i did felt discouraged to apply there, because of the frightening statistics and requirements. Only my test scores are not good enough for them, so i wanted to write about my experience with SATs and reasoning for my score. Then, touch upon how i was looking for a college that stresses not only academics,but ECs, and the more literature i read on Harvard, the more it seemed like a perfect fit for challenging me academically while stressing involvement and character. </p>

<p>P.S. i am 4 in a class of 400, took the hardest curriculum, have never received below a- becuase i push myself to be whatever level is needed. the only exception was the ACTs which i could not seem to concur (31). i have lists of awards and ECs and leadership. </p>

<p>Any guidance would be a huge help!(sorry for any bad grammar, i'm shooting this out really quick)</p>

[gibby]

<p>Okay, several things to consider</p>

<p>

Could my supplement be on the fact that i did felt discouraged to apply there, because of the frightening statistics and requirements.

That’s really an awful idea!

my test scores are not good enough

You didn’t mention your test scores, but what are they? <a href=“The Harvard Crimson | Class of 2018 By the Numbers”>http://features.thecrimson.com/2014/freshman-survey/admissions/&lt;/a&gt;

Freshmen reported an average composite SAT score of 2228, in line with that of last year’s class. The reported average subject score was consistent across the three sections, with an average of 742 in the math section, 745 on writing, and 742 on critical reading.

That said, Harvard places MORE emphasis on AP exams and student transcripts than they do SAT/ACT test scores: <a href=“Guidance Office: Answers From Harvard's Dean, Part 2 - The New York Times”>http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/harvarddean-part2/&lt;/a&gt;

We have found that the best predictors at Harvard are Advanced Placement tests and International Baccalaureate Exams, closely followed by the College Board subject tests. High school grades are next in predictive power, followed by the SAT and ACT. The writing tests of the SAT and ACT have predictive power similar to the subject tests.

Bottom Line: By all means apply, but realistically, it’s a crap shoot even for those student that have a 4.0 GPA with a 2400 SAT.</p>

[citylife973]

<p>I said i received an ACT of 31, i took the SAT one time in January of my junior year and received a 2000( i will send the 31). So i should scrap the essay idea or just the part about being hesitant of applying there?
Thanks for your encouragement! :-* </p>

[citylife973]

<p>@gibby</p>

[WasatchWriter]

<p>I could see an essay like that working if it is genuinely funny on an adult level. Otherwise, it sounds really dull.</p>

[gibby]

<p>@citylife973: Yes, you should scrap that idea, as it doesn’t address your “character” which is an old fashioned word that means the way you develop your inner qualities: intellectual passion, maturity, social conscience, concern for community, tolerance, inclusiveness and love of learning: <a href=“Guidance Office: Answers From Harvard's Dean, Part 1 - The New York Times”>http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/harvarddean-part1/&lt;/a&gt;

[quote]
Personal qualities and character provide the foundation upon which each admission rests. Harvard alumni/ae often report that the education they received from fellow classmates was a critically important component of their college experience. The education that takes place between roommates, in dining halls, classrooms, research groups, extracurricular activities, and in Harvard’s residential houses depends on selecting students who will reach out to others. {/others]</p>