<p>What would be the credentials of someone who is NOT a reach for Harvard? It seems like you have to have superpowers or be from mars to have at least a GOOD chance of getting in.....(assuming mommy or daddy didnt' go there, whereas you'd just be lucky)</p>
<p>Me-- I wasn’t. I’m from Neptune, though.</p>
<p>The valedictorian from my public high school has gotten into Harvard for as long as I can remember. But very often they turn down Harvard.</p>
<p>If your last name is Kennedy:P</p>
<p>One whose parents have donated 7-figure amounts repeatedly throughout one’s HS. Although one still probably can’t have 1000/2400 on one’s SATs. This can only cure the sick, not raise the dead.</p>
<p>Rosh420</p>
<p>Always love the witty comments, one of my favorite things about cc. lol</p>
<p>wow i’m surprised no one has said the sarcastic “cured cancer” BS. </p>
<p>“omg no one is a match for harvard noob… unless you found a cure for cancer hahahahah rof lmao.” </p>
<p>lmao.</p>
<p>Okay, seriously now.</p>
<p>4.0 GPA, 2400 SAT, Two SAT IIs (out of 3) above 770, with the third being above 730. Intel Award winner, volunteer service raising at least $20,000 to build new infrastructure in a developing country and being the one who goes there to participate in the building–and getting recognition for this. At least one other award in a decent field. Prom king or queen, and president of the student body.</p>
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<p>clearly… slight/mid-slight reach. </p>
<p>ha</p>
<p>I agree with Beejay. I think your last name has to be Kennedy for sure.</p>
<p>LOL ok I did raise $20,000 to help rebuild a school in northern uganda and got in the paper for it. I have a 4.0 and a 34 act and have 800, 790 on the two subject tests I have taken. I’m international. What do you think?</p>
<p>Well, if you are serious, then your chances are pretty good. But I don’t know–you said you have a 34, not a 36. So you really haven’t met the criteria I gave. </p>
<p>P.S. Plus internationals only make up less than 10% of the entering class–so your competition would be rougher than most. Still, I would think that doing this while living in Pakistan would have to count for a lot–a whole lot. Congratulations to you whether you get in or not. (I’m guessing you would get in).</p>
<p>You know, I’ve noticed that one problem on CC is that students don’t realize (or appreciate) that even if you’re an amazing applicant, certain schools shouldn’t be considered safeties or matches. So, for example, a likely letter is the greatest “overture” (as Yale put it) that a college can give an applicant. These are the applicants who are clear admits and who they predict will get into every competitive university they apply to. Harvard sends out about 100 academic likely letters each year; it’s safe to say, then, that Harvard was not a reach for these students, given their resumes. But should Harvard have been considered anything other than a reach? No. It’s not safe enough. A psychological game, you could say.</p>
<p>So what do these academic likely letter from Harvard look like? They aren’t the normal letters that colleges are sending everywhere are they? Because I have gotten a letter or two from Harvard, the most recent one being three pages long. How do I know if it’s an academic likely letter?</p>
<p>^^LOL let’s just say if Harvard sends you an academic likely letter, YOU’LL KNOW.</p>
<p>Well:
2400 SAT
2400 SAT II
36 ACT (has to be straight 36’s)
5’s on EVERY AP exam + 7’s on EVERY IB exam
4.0uw/5.0w GPA
First Generation
URM status
be below the poverty line, and have a school rated 1,000,000 on Newsweek
1,000+ hrs community service
ASB President + President of every single club in your school
Varsity Athlete of every single sport in your school</p>
<p>anything else i forgot?</p>
<p>Shrimphead, the letter will say that “your chances of admissions are excellent”-- or something like that. It will then say that although your chances are great, this isn’t an actual acceptance letter. It will talk about how very few (VERY FEW) people have been denied acceptance after getting such a letter. I can assure you that what you’ve received isn’t an acceptance letter.Likely letters aren’t 3 pages long; it’s generally just a page.</p>
<p>_daniel, you’ve described my cousin perfectly, but he was rejected from the 3 Ivys he applied to (HYP). Let’s just say that he had a criminal record. He used to steal prada and gucci shoes. 
</p>
<p>So I would add “No Ccriminal Record”</p>
<p>wow wait, how does Harvard select the recipients of “likely letters”? is it before or after they submit apps?</p>
<p>^Yeah, I thought it was after but I’m not sure…Some poster seem to be saying it’s before.</p>
<p>I have a friend who got likely letters from several schools, including Dartmouth. They were all sent after apps, though.</p>