<p>Race: Black
Gender: Male
Birthplace: Sudan
Citizenship: Dual, Sudanese/Australian (Permanent U.S. Resident)</p>
<p>GPA: 3.93
Rank: 35ish/270 (yes, i know, ouch...)</p>
<p>Old Sat: 1580 (800V, 780M)
New Sat: 2340 (800V, 740M, 800W)
Anticipated SAT II results...(taking this october)
SAT II Lit : 750+
SAT II Math IIC: 750+
SAT II Chemistry: 750+</p>
<p>AP Scores:
European History : 5
Statistics : 5</p>
<p>Current AP's
Calc BC, Lit, French, and Physics B
Challenging course load all through high school</p>
<p>Honors / Awards</p>
<p>National Merit Semi-finalist
National Honor Society
Venture Scholar
Distinguished Scholar Award</p>
<p>Sports
Junior Varsity Soccer (9th 10th)</p>
<p>Clubs/Other Activities etc...
National Honor Society
Building catapults (Just started this a few weeks ago)</p>
<p>I don't really have much going for me in the way of EC's. That's because I didn't really know much about them/their importance to college until fairly recently...</p>
<p>Your test scores are very good, and your URM status will help you.
However, your lack of extracirricular activities will DEFINITELY hurt you enormously.</p>
<p>Unforunately, I would say that you need to look somewhere other than Harvard. Harvard has plenty of students with great test scores and grades, but these people at least have an elected officer position in one club.</p>
<p>Haha, I like my name just fine, proxyma. I was definitely hoping for a little more constructive criticism. Thanks for the support brightfuture. </p>
<p>Like I said before, I have no EC's that are "Harvard" material. I did neglect to mention that I'm currently working, and I have done around 60-80 hours of community service over the last several months. It's nothing special, certainly not Ivy league material. </p>
<p>The responses that I got were actually fairly close to what I was expecting. It clearly looks like I'm going to have to focus on my "hook" a lot more than I expected...</p>
<p>Anymore thoughts on my chances based on the info I've posted?</p>
<p>Here are the items I forgot to include:</p>
<p>60 Hours Community Service
Work Experience
Summer 04 - Worked at bk
Summer 05/Fall 05 - working at university cafe</p>
<p>I don't know why they are saying you aren't a shoo-in. I mean this in the most p.c. way possible: you are black, you have scores higher than most white applicants, Harvard would accept you if you had NO extracurriculars probably. There was one girl from last year EA who was black got a 1280 and got in with a lower GPA and unimpressive credentials. Thanks to Affirmative Action you are like gold to Harvrad.</p>
<p>Yea you have amazing scores and grades and youre URM. I think they'll overlook the ECs in this situation, and its not like theyre horrible. ECs only matter for kids who need the extra push I think, and you dont</p>
<p>I think you have a good chance. If I were you, I wouldn't leave EC spaces blank however. You could put hobbies, helping family, etc. if you had to. I think your amazing scores will make you a strong candidate.</p>
<p>Well, it seems the general consensus is that my EC's suck. This isn't news to me. However, I didn't really think that URM status would make that much of a difference in my app. I thought it gave a little push that set you apart, but nothing that would guarantee acceptance...</p>
<p>Final question, would you guys say that living in 5 different countries is a "hook". BTW, I don't mean going on some study-abroad program, but actually living in those countries.</p>
<p>"I do not mean to offend african-americans in any way, but those scores are the highest i have seen for an african-american."</p>
<p>lol, sr6622, I don't think you're offending anyone...and if it means anything, i'm not even american, been in the states for only 3 years.</p>
<p>Umm actually, there are a few mistakes on my transcript, once those are fixed it'll be a 3.95, my estimate of "35ish" is based on a gpa of 3.95; a 3.93 gives me a rank of 40-42/270</p>
<p>The 3.95 is weighted. I've gotten 24 A's, and 11 A-'s so it's not as impressive. Unweighted my gpa is a 3.91...so that might explain things...</p>
<p>Colleges view citizens and permanent residents in the same way when it comes to admissions and financial aid. At least that's what the H rep told me.</p>
<p>Guys, I'm a freshman at Harvard and I vividly remember this time last year, but I have to tell you; test scores and EC's really do become unimportant after all is said and done. College admissions are seemingly random. I got in here with an RD rate of around 9% and was W/L at two smaller colleges with admissions ratings in the low 20's. You'll never understand how you get picked to be admitted where you get in. No one does (expect Mr. Fitzsimmons). My advice for all of you: do your best on your apps, but don't edit them to death. You want to seem human and normal, not a perfect machine. Seriously, all this listing of what you are/what scores you have will just make you all compare yourself to others and will drive you insane. CC goes crazy right before and during the release of admissions notifications, and it's just disturbing to see the brilliant kids turned away. You can't distill your 18 years into a bulleted list of GPA, SATs and rankings. Admissions folks see way more than that, and I hope each of you see yourselves as more than a list of numbers. </p>
<p>I don't think I've mentioned SATs as long as I've been here. I "accidentally" found out there are Siemen's Westinghouse and Intel winners in my dorm and folks who will qualify for the Olympics and all that. But when you boil it down, it's not your 4000's, your National Honor Society Presidency, your captain-ship, or even your unique hook that defines you. I freaked out about all that (those are examples, not me individually) and had my share of panic, meetings with my college advisor, confidence that I'd get rejected... all of it. Take a deep breath, do a good job on your apps, and you'll get in places you don't expect. Similarly, you might get deferred/WL at places you wouldn't expect either. It'll all work out in the end, and after the cheers and tears you'll be happy where you end up.</p>
<p>Okay, so I need to get back to work (don't let anyone tell you that there isn't a lot of work here!). I don't want to sound like a Mom or counsellor - just a voice from someone who survived the process. If you have any H-specific questions (about Cambridge, classes here, Fin Aid, anything), let me know. I'd love to help you get as much information as possible before you make up your mind about EA apps and all that. Take care! -Holly</p>