<p>My son would like to apply early action to Harvard or early decision to Brown. Obviously, chances for either school are remote -- but we are wondering if it's so out of league that he should focus on a lower tier for the early action round.</p>
<p>He goes to a 6,000 student public high school but is in a specialty program for the top 150 kids in the city. Here are his stats etc.:</p>
<p>GPA 3.8 (UC GPA 4.5)
His 9th grade grades were a mix of A's & B's; 10th grade one B in fall, the rest A's; 11th grade straight A's with rigorous course load (4 AP courses, a couple of honors). He is planning on 4 or 5 AP's next year).</p>
<p>ACT: 33 (will retake, had a 36 on some of his practice tests so could go up)</p>
<p>AP Tests: all 5's on 5 tests (Micro & Macro Econ; US & World History, etc.)</p>
<p>SAT 2's: 780 World HIstory, 750 US History</p>
<p>Activities:</p>
<p>Model UN - Co-President next (senior) year; Best Gavel Award
C-Span StudentCam Documentary Contest - 2-time finalist (one 3rd place of 2,500 entries; 1 honorable mention)
Started a Rock Band which plays around the city; he composes all the songs & is the lyricist
Designs posters for local rock bands
2 years Cross Country
2 years Orchestra
Debate Club (hasn't been heavily involved as the teacher/coach is not good)
Study Abroad: did a 2 week educational trip to Cuba with his school economics program
Summer: Intern at a Major Corporation
Summer: Intern at a local graphic & web design firm</p>
<p>Has a huge passion for history & historical documents; loves maps, collects antique documents, pages of literature, etc. Very interested in borders, the building of nation-states, etc. Reads historical documents and literature for fun (e.g. history of the Medicis's, Communist manifesto, etc.)</p>
<p>Are Ivy's too big a reach to "waste" early action on them? </p>
<p>Theres always a chance. If he has a strong essay, things may work out for him ;)</p>
<p>But don’t forget, sometimes that never the case, but you won’t know unless you try, Trying is never “a waste of time”</p>
<p>No, it is not a waste of an early action. his stats are in the ballpark.</p>
<p>As Brown is Early Decision, it only makes sense to apply if that is his absolute first choice and you can financially afford it based on the NPC’s. If accepted, he has to withdraw all other applications, and will not be able to compare FA offers.</p>
<p>Harvard is not binding, but he can only apply to Harvard early as well as any public schools or international schools.</p>
<p>that all said, ivies are a reach for everybody. But with stellar essays, outstanding LOR’s, one never knows. Good luck!!</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies! FYI: our alternative would be to apply EA to U Chicago, which he also has been told is very intellectual (although we have not visited).</p>
<p>OOPS - just realized his GPA is 3.71 (UC GPA still 4.5)… so perhaps that makes it all too “reach”?</p>
<p>He may have a chance at Brown, but I’d say applying to Harvard is a waste of EA. UChicago is getting harder and harder to get into, even with perfect numbers - I’d say Brown ED would be easier to get into than UChicago. </p>
<p>Brown will love his passion for history, and if he has some great essays (possibly about that) and some amazing teacher recommendations, it could make up for his GPA.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Well your username sure is fitting… Why are you making your son take the ACT again? Anything above 33 is looked at the same way. He could bring it to 36 and he’d still have the same sub 10% chance of getting in.</p>
<p>Well… Actually we would be happiest with a UC school or merit scholarship to a school like Brandeis or Oblerllin,
He was advised to retake for merit scholarships… And also told that Princeton looks closely at Scores? We are a bit concerned that early decision at Brown binds us in terms of paying full cost… harvard EA admit rate was higher so we thought that might be an equal shot? Though still a long shot.</p>
<p>EA doesn’t increase your chances of getting in. It usually has no impact on admissions. The reason why EA is higher is because the applicant pool is generally stronger.</p>
<p>@AnnieBeat Harvard’s Regular Decision Pool acceptance rate is around 3-4% while their SCEA acceptance rate is around 21.5%. It is very unlikely the Early pool is 6-7 times more qualified than the regular pool.</p>
<p>Thanks, yes, the increase chance was why we wondered if he should go for Harvard and give it a shot – seems like they accept more early than Brown does… But maybe from a stronger pool? I suppose it is just impossible to second guess all this…</p>
<p>Higher chance for Brown than Harvard, UChicago is a good option esp. if he has a passion for science (still a reach)</p>
<p>Would the higher chance at Brown be because their overall pool is a bit less competitive? Even though the admit rate for harvard is higher than for brown early action? Thanks!</p>
<p>“We are a bit concerned that early decision at Brown binds us in terms of paying full cost…”</p>
<p>If this is a concern, don’t apply ED. It doesn’t matter that you can get out of it, if unaffordable. It’s a waste of time and effort to apply, get in and then say “oh wait, can’t afford it”</p>
<p>Well… If he got in, we could probably stretch to make it happen, but it would be tough… Harvard and Princeton seem to offer more aid.</p>
<p>Thanks again for all the replies. Not sure if I am supposed to start a new thread, but also hoping to get responses to his current list</p>
<pre><code> Brandeis University (merit?)
UC San Diego
Oberlin College (merit?)
Carnegie Mellon University
UC Los Angeles CA
Washington University in St. Louis (merit?)
Wesleyan University (expensive choice)
Rice University (merit?)
University of Chicago
UC Berkeley
Brown (expensive)
Princeton
Columbia (expensive choice)
Harvard
</code></pre>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>It would be easier to start a new thread with the colleges and stats all together.</p>
<p>also UCSB (safety)</p>