Hi everyone
This is an international student from an underrepresented country, URM…
I wanted to apply to Harvard, CS Major. I have an academic average of 18/20 that’s equivalent to an unweightened GPA of 4.0, SAT I 2100, SAT II did not take but will, ACT & TOEFL did not take. But I do not have so many interesting extracurriculars, they are all community service, regional math competitions, regional clubs… That’s all what’s offered to me! In my country, you need no EC to get into college and in this region in particular, rural, mountainous, nothing interesting…
Teacher RECs: I am sure they will write excellent ones.
I am in the top 1% of my country. And the 1st in my region.
Should I apply or there is no need to bother myself? Should I retake the SAT? What about my ECs, too bad, correct?
Thank yall.
URM status is typically for US citizens. If you are from a remote village in Africa, South America, or Pacific islands, then you might be considered for that status.
Your SAT is low for Harvard. But that’s just one factor.
If your country doesn’t offer opportunities for ECs, the adcoms are aware that there are limited opportunities.
International students have weak opportunities to be admitted to the top colleges in the US, so going in, you need to know that. Harvard receives hundreds of thousands of applications for a few seats. Even people with perfect scores get rejected.
The US has more than 3000 colleges and universities. Harvard isn’t the only school in the US so you should apply to other schools.
Yes, I might be considered as a URM applicant. Thank you so much for you answer!! @“aunt bea”
Do I apply to harvard ir just forget about it then?
You should try it since it uses the Common app, but know going in that the school is a reach for everyone.
@“aunt bea” thank you so much will my lack of ecs affect my admission chances (not offered in my country thu)?
You will be considered in the context of your country; therefore, your lack of ECs will not effect you adversely.
@Soheils what about SAT I? I retake?
You should retake the SAT and take some SAT Subjects (one stem, one social science/humanities, if you can).
Of course, apply. But don’t just apply there. You need a strategy.
BTW, are you attending a French-patterned school?
Read @ZAPrez 's story!
No, your ECs shouldn’t affect your application because the colleges know that EC’s are kind of an “American thing”. Apply to more than just Harvard and find schools that will give money to international students. Go to the “financial aid” pages of several colleges. Go to the links on the left of this page to get an idea of schools you would like to go to. B-)