Intensive Research but lack of Awards - still worth applying?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I want to first start by saying that I am grateful to everyone who reads and responds to these threads and would very much appreciate any advice that anyone may have. This is not directly a chance thread. (I apologize in advance for the length).</p>

<p>So, I have always been interested in science research. I worked in one lab in the States prior to moving and then, after moving to my current location, worked in three other laboratories to see where my interests truly were. I worked on cancer at first, then studied another area and then found the field I really love that I will not mention since it will give my identity away. </p>

<p>In any event, this year, I spent hours and hours of time on this work, sometimes 20+ on school weeks. I came in on the weekends, holidays etc. I had to learn some pretty complex and rare techniques and it was very tiring. I was fortunate enough to be chosen to represent my adopted nation at an international science competition; however, I did not place there. I am honest when I say I don't understand why - people in my field certainly appreciated it a lot, as did others not involved directly. Maybe my judges did not care for the main technique, but that is besides the point - it is a competition, after all. I did medal in 2012 at our national science fair for my cancer work, though.</p>

<p>I have found the work of certain Harvard researchers in my field to be very compelling and interesting. While I could quite easily stay at my current institution and continue my work and try and fast track to get into an MD program (I have a friend who is doing that), I do not care for the non-liberal arts curriculum and ginormous classes present here and across the country. I also dislike the climate. </p>

<p>As such, my parents and I have agreed that I should submit apps to some US schools. Harvard is by and far my "dream" (for lack of a better term) and I would love to apply SCEA. However, given the odds and my lack of international awards, several people have suggested I apply ED to a favoured school and worry about the rest later. My parents cannot pay a great deal of money but some of my fellow students have emerged with really good FA packages from ED. As such, my parents say that they will have no problem paying if they consider the school "worth it". I know some people frown on this attitude, but I understand why they are saying this.</p>

<p>So, given all this information, do you think I should attempt Harvard SCEA or just acquiesce to my friends' suggestions and apply ED to a school I like? I care about research a lot and am seriously considering a career as a clinician- scientist but at the same time, am not 100% settled on it. Thus, I want to attend a school where I can progress in my work but also have the chance to explore other things. I feel like I have a lot to know and experience and am wary of locking myself in early (another reason why I don't want to stay where I am). </p>

<p>While I know that many do not agree with this approach while applying to universities, it is unlikely that I will ever get a chance to actually visit any schools prior to applying and I am reasonably confident that I will be okay in most places - I just want to be around people like me (the international event was perhaps the one best week of my life) and be in a reasonably safe location. Even so, the former is most important for me :). </p>

<p>Unfortunately, science fair season is over and there are no other contests I can enter to show my passion until 2013-2014, which is rather late. I am going to try for a publication, but publications obviously take time, regardless of how good one's data might be. I can try writing a few reviews articles in youth/undergraduate journals. I just don't know how I can show that my effort was more than that of a typical summer student except maybe through LoRs.</p>

<p>The other parts of my app - stats, schedule, volunteer/leadership are quite good. I participated in many non science activities prior to moving but after, my focus has mostly been on science research/other science ECs (edit an international youth-run, youth science journal, etc) and some writing on politics. My counselor can probably also attest to my messy family life/general situation. </p>

<p>Hopefully this is somewhat coherent - I apologize for the length but I did not how to explain this without going into my situation. I will greatly appreciate any advice.</p>

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<p>What is your SAT/ACT and GPA? And as Harvard will judge you within the context of your high school, where do you fit in? Top 1%, 2%, 5%?</p>

3

<p>SAT1- 2340 (800, 770, 770) for CR, Math and writing - 11 essay. </p>

<p>GPA - 90+ (last year was 97, this year, I have mostly full year courses, so unsure of specifics). School doesn’t rank and marking is a bit weird but top 5 or 1%.</p>

4

<p>I am taking all the APs (minus AP art history) offered at my school and received credit for my independent study of multivariable calc/linear algebra this year (grade 11). The independent study involved writing a “tutorial” on all aspects and then doing an independent project utilizing the principles. I am finished with AP English Literature and grade 12 english this year and will have to self study AP English Lang in conjunction with my mathematics study.</p>

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<p>Do you like Harvard? Have you visited the school? If Harvard is your top choice school, then you should apply SCEA. Your test scores and GPA certainly indicate that you are a competitive applicant. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess, as your acceptance will hinge upon your teacher recommendations, essay and what Harvard thinks of your research. Best of luck to you!</p>

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<p>I think that Harvard values devotion to whatever you are passionate about. In your case, it is research (in that specific field you won’t reveal). If there is a teacher/professor who can showcase your devotion and passion in a rec. letter, that may really boost your chances. Also, any papers you wrote (published or not) can be attached to your application, I think. </p>

<p>Also, allisunknown, will you please answer a quick question of mine? It is about MV Calc. I’m trying to find a way to learn it. I will self study it over the summer, but I need a way to write on my resume that I know MV Calc. How did you do this Independent Study thing? Were you the first to ever do it in your school? Did you have to do a lot of paperwork to get credit? </p>

<p>My choices are to audit the course at a nearby university (not sure if I can write on resume) or to do the Independent Study, which I just learned about. Can you explain a little? Thanks.</p>

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<p>“Also, any papers you wrote (published or not) can be attached to your application, I think.”</p>

<p>Copies of research papers must be snail-mailed, as the Common App no longer accepts uploads of documents. If your research mentor is not a teacher at your school, you should also ask him or her to write you a supplemental (3rd) recommendation letter and have them mail it in.</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the responses, both of you. Any more advice is welcome, too! :)</p>

<p>Burnout, I was the first ever to do this since: a) my school is small and b) most people take calc BC in grade 12, if at all. </p>

<p>What I did was:

  1. Discuss the idea with a teacher and get them to sponsor it
  2. Write a proposal talking about which ideas to cover and describing the final project (I downloaded Stanford EPGY’s curriculums for multivariable and linear algebra and devised my own rubric for marking)
  3. Watched all the MIT OCW videos and made a journal thing that gave examples and explained every concept mentioned on the aforementioned sheets, with examples/proofs
  4. After learning the ideas, applied it to an area of science that I liked, such as fluid dynamics.
  5. Submitted the documents and presented on my final project.</p>

<p>I do not go to an American school, so I can’t talk about paperwork. My school is a charter/gifted school, so we have provisions for this sort of stuff. </p>

<p>(PS, if this changes anything and it likely does - I am an international student, hopefully will be a Canadian citizen when I apply).</p>

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<p>@Gibby, I did not respond adequately to your earlier post. Given my parents’ current financial state, I don’t think I can justify visiting a school that I have not yet been accepted to. The only thing I really want is a school that has excellent research in my field, a safe (scenic/exciting is great) location and a student body that is intellectual yet also practical.</p>

<p>I like Harvard the most of all the schools I’m considering but I’m unsure whether I should ‘waste’ my EA/ED round on it when I don’t have any international awards for my research work - only national ones, as a Canadian (intl) student. Most individuals I know have told me that an international award is a prerequisite to doing well in SCEA as an international. I am very passionate about my work and would like to continue it at a Harvard, but if my chances are low here, or rather- much better at another, similar/strongly ranked US school with good international aid, I will go for that instead.</p>

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<p>Outside of a Kennedy or perhaps Bill Gates’ kids, absolutely no student is assured acceptance to Harvard – that’s true for students who have 2400 SAT’s with 4.0 GPA’s and a gazillion AP’s, all of them 5’s. In a sense, everyone who applies SCEA is putting all their money on one school and “betting the farm” on their application. </p>

<p>The safer, more pragmatic approach is to apply to 5 or 6 non-binding schools in the early round (MIT, Georgetown, CalTech, UChicago, UMich, Northeastern, Case Western Reserve, etc) and then apply to HYP in the RD round. Everyone who applies to Harvard SCEA is in the exact same situation you are in, as the entire applications process is tremendously subjective and really comes down to your teacher recommendations and essays and how those stack-up against everyone else who is applying SCEA.</p>

<p>Here’s what I would suggest: Stop thinking about what you are going to do and get to work! Start your essay NOW! Topics can be found here: <a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Docs/DownloadForms/2013/EssayAnnouncementFinal.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Docs/DownloadForms/2013/EssayAnnouncementFinal.pdf&lt;/a&gt;. Ask your teachers NOW if they would be willing to write your college recommendations. Set up a meeting before the school year is over to discuss what they would write about you. Go out for coffee with your teachers so they can get to know you outside of the classroom. To be accepted in the SCEA round, you need the full 100% backing of your teachers. You need for them to present your case to the Admissions Committee about why Harvard should accept you over other applicants from your school and from across the world. Ask your teacher to read your essay; get their feedback – after all, they know you the best!</p>

<p>If, after meeting with your teachers, you get a good feeling that they are going to write that you, allisunknown, are one of the top students they have had in their entire teaching career, that you have the potential to be a world class scholar and researcher, that you are a leader in the classroom and are respected by students and teachers alike, then apply SCEA. If you are at all hesitant about how forceful a case your teachers will present in their recommendation letter, go with the safer, more pragmatic approach and apply to Harvard in the ED round.</p>