Less of a chance thread, more of a "vibes" thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>Hello all! I'm applying to Harvard EA and I'd just generally like to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of my application, if that's okay. I wasn't 100% sure that this is the correct thread, but I saw other chance posts so I went for it. I apologize in advance if I've posted in the wrong area!</p>

<p>I understand that acceptances at such a heavily-applied to school are occasionally arbitrary, and with thousands of valedictorians and 2400's applying, I can't expect any kind of accurate chancing. So rather, I was wondering if you'd be able to tell me the general strengths and weaknesses of my application. Ultimately, I do not have perfect scores or grades, and I haven't done a thousand EC's and activities that make me stand out from the crowd. I just want to know how you "feel" about my application: whether it has a chance, whether I'm distinguishable, etc. Anything you may find worth mentioning is something I'd like to hear.</p>

<p>Here are some of my statistics:
-Composite ACT: 33. Best ACT subscores: 28 math, 35 science, 35 reading, 35 English and writing (9 on essay).
-SAT Subject tests: Spanish, English Literature, and Math Level 1 (I have not received results yet, but I feel strongest in Spanish and weakest in Math).
-11 AP classes total (HG 3, WH 4, PSYCH 5, AH 4, USH 4, SLANG 4. I have US GOV, STAT, ENG. LIT, SPAN. LIT, and EURO HIS. left this year).
-Clubs: NHS, Quill and Scroll Writing Honor Society, Spanish Club, Interact Rotary Club. I have volunteered most extensively under NHS.
-I'm also an editor for my schools Oracle staff; we're going to publicly publish a book this year online at Amazon. I'll have 2+ submissions published in it that I feel are strong; I submitted them as a supplement to my application (creative writing sample).
-My academic strengths are English/creative writing, History, and Spanish. I have a passion for Spanish that I've discovered through 5 total years of language. I'm the only AP Spanish Literature student in my graduating class of 432.
-One of my essays deal with the contrast of culture on the two sides of my family, the other essay deals with wanting to progress with my life and move on to the next phase (I'd say it's probably the best essay I've ever written, yay!).
-I'm an intern for my history teacher
-I'm currently an AP Scholar with Distinction and will receive the AP International Diploma in 2014.
-I'm white, female, and come from an income bracket of slightly under 50k. I have no siblings. I also have slight legacy at Harvard (very, very slight. Three graduates on one side of the family, but they're my great uncles and my great grandfather. He has an endowment but honestly I don't think legacy is really considered at that point). </p>

<p>Weaknesses:
-I do have a few B's on transcripts (biology, physics, and probably statistics this year). Math and science are my sore spots, although I did get an A in chemistry and the other math classes I've taken.
-I'm not loaded to the top with EC's and I don't have any leadership positions.
-I'm ranked 20/432.
-I don't have any particular monumental events or things I've had to overcome in my life that make for a hell of an essay. I feel that the essays I've written are quite strong, but I'm not sure they compare to the kid who's volunteered abroad and published two novels. Ya feel?</p>

<p>Strengths:
-My recommendations (guidance counselor, Spanish teacher, and English teacher). If deferred, my History teacher is going to add one in for the January deadline.
-Concentration on the humanities, creative writing
-11 AP's, none failed (yet! XD)
-GPA is 4.333
-APID
-Strong essays
-Strong supplement (two poems)
-I'd probably do really well in an interview</p>

<p>One last thing that may affect decisions: my intended major is either Political Science or Architecture, with possible minors in either Spanish or International Studies. I have indicated no religious preference on my application. I intend to pursue financial aid. I have indicated interest in Writing Staff, MUN, Political Groups, Student Government, and Debate.</p>

<p>So, does anyone have any advice as to how I can stand out? Is there basically nothing I can add at this point? Honestly, I'm quite nervous about the application as a whole. I've never done anything like this before and I'm probably going to over-analyze everything I put in it. Is there anything apparent that I should add or emphasize?</p>

<p>To anyone who's willing to help: THANK YOU. I realize this is a long-winded post and I appreciate any bit of your time you're willing to sacrifice. It means a lot.</p>

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<p>You are a very accomplished young lady, however, the competition is so strong that I would have to predict that Harvard is a reach for you. If your Subject test scores are in the high 700s, they could certainly help. </p>

<p>A self-published book will not help, Harvard looks for young authors with a bona fide publishing company supporting them. A legacy status is given only to those applicants who have a parent who attended Harvard College (unless there were huge donations to qualify for a development status.)</p>

<p>Do you hail from an underrepresented state?</p>

<p>Be sure your essays are written from the heart, and recs reveal what kind of person you are. Best of luck.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I certainly know it’s a helluva goal, haha :slight_smile: </p>

<p>and I’m not quite sure about the state, to be honest. I don’t believe so. Looking on their admissions statistics, it appears that about slightly less than a fifth come from my region. Hmm. My guess is probably not.</p>

<p>Thank you for the help!</p>

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<p>This seems like a good place to post.
So I’m also applying Harvard EA, and I’d just like to discuss the general “vibes” of my application. Like alyssa did above.
Pure stats:
2330 SAT, 36 ACT, 800s in Math II, US History and Chemistry–standardized tests are probably my strong suit.
By the time I’m done with school I’ll also have 11 APs done, of which I’ve already completed 4 (all 5s on exams): APUSH, AP Euro, AP Chem, and AP Calc BC are already completed, and I’m taking AP Lit, AP Lang&Comp, AP German, AP Econ, AP Physics C, and AP Bio this year.
My GPA is the real rough spot. Freshman and sophomore year I didn’t break 3.6 unweighted, junior year I pulled that out of the gutter (relatively speaking) when I changed schools (more on that later) and got a 3.85 unweighted (with an extremely rigorous courseload, so weighted is much better), and this year is continuing that upward trajectory. But this is my weakness.
My school does not publish class rank, but I’m confident I’m within the top 10%.
Intangibles:
EC: I’ve played rugby all through high school. I’m president of my school’s German club and I started (and am now president of) a photo club/business at my school. I’ve done Model United Nations and won awards at such. I’m applying for NHS, but that selection process will not be finalized until after the EA deadline.
Academically I don’t really have a strength–math, I suppose, but not to an extreme. I’m taking post-Calc-BC math classes this year, which is the only reason I highlight math.
I’m strongly considering sending a photo portfolio as a supplement. Without going into details (or god forbid posting examples) my photos are good enough to make a good impression, whether or not they tonally fit with the rest of my application is the question. Advice on this would be appreciated.
My “distinguishing factor”, if you will, is that I lived internationally (London) for two years–freshman and sophomore year. I attended a rigorous private school that I hope is on Harvard’s radar. This experience is of course very important to me and I’ll be drawing from it for my essays.
My essays are actually some of the best writing I’ve ever done. This is the one thing I’ll unapologetically toot my own horn about. So this is probably a strength.
Demographics: White, male, from a highly underrepresented state, income bracket…not entirely sure, 110k+/year. Potentially out of financial-assistance territory entirely. My family’s cagey. My father attended HBS, and I don’t know how much that has an effect on Harvard College applicants.</p>

<p>So to sum up strengths (alyssa I liked how you structured your post, stealing shamelessly here):
–Really strong testing
–Strong APs
–Well-rounded, non-superficial extracurriculars with significant leadership
–Very strong essays with interesting backstory
–Strong recommendations
–Interview very well.</p>

<p>Weaknesses:
–Underrepresented state, but demographically overrepresented. Probably slightly hurts me, but at least I’m not from NY or MA.
–GPA is really scraping the bottom for Harvard territory. This is the thing that gives me the sweats. None of the rest of my application means a thing if I miss an arbitrary cutoff or they decide I can’t take the heat. The one bright spot here is one hell of an upward trajectory, but this will be the thing that brings me down.</p>

<p>So…what do people think? Is the GPA just a hard truth I have to swallow? Can I overcome it? I’d appreciate any feedback the community can provide.</p>

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<p>Walrus: I’m certainly no expert either, so I don’t want to give you too much advice. I’d say your application is quite strong, though. GPA may bring you down but I’d still say you’re at least a competitive applicant. There’s no “safe” applicants, though, if you know what I mean. (:</p>

<p>Come on guys - still looking for advice for both of us!</p>

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<p>Thanks! That was my general feeling and I’m glad to see it validated by at least one person. For what it’s worth.
Alyssa, I’m no expert but I’ve put a lot of thought into the application process–I will say that the overall strength of your app swings very strongly on how good your essays are. Obviously that’s the case for anyone, but seeing as a) your numbers are “good enough” but not superlative and b) you are choosing to portray yourself as an english/social sciences person (which is also reflected in your ECs), a fabulous essay, regardless of what it’s about, could compound your english-y message and put you into the “fairly competitive” category. Whereas dropping the ball on your essay would undercut that same message. Is it self-evident advice? Maybe, it’s just something I noticed. But if I were you, essays would be where I’d be investing the most time and energy. Best of luck!</p>

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<p>One more thing–I wanted to make clear, when I say your numbers are “good enough,” I don’t mean that they’re mediocre or pedestrian or what-have-you. I mean that they really are “good enough” such that you don’t really have to compensate for them elsewhere in your app–they’re within a median range and it’s out of your hands from there. Just in the interest of clarity.</p>

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<p>Ah yes. Thank you for the advice! I do feel that my essays will be the most critical part to my application. Other than that, it’s really out of my control at this point. Thanks again!</p>