<p>I graduated from a school that does not offer AP. I have not taken the ACT w/ writting, but have taken it w/o. Unlike many, I have not been planning to go to Harvard my entire life, and my parents have nothing to do with it. I got a 28 on the ACT but could easily bring my score up when I take it with writting. Also, have not taken subject tests, but will October. I am worried about subject tests, because I graduated in June and am currently unpracticed. I previously went to online school, for lack of better options. I did very well in public school, but it was short lived due to family circumstance. After it became obvious I was not in an intellectual environment, I became fixated on a small private school, discussion based, but very expensive. I was rewarded with a very significant scholarship for the schools funds, and repaid them greatly with my labor. I spent 55 hours building a entryway garden as well as cleaning up the school, and property. I spent at least 15 hours flyering for the after school community arts program. As well as, dedicated my participation to it. I graduated with the best grades in my class, which was only 9 students. It was not acknowledged at all, because it is not a competetive school. Instead they awarded the student with a 3.2 for spirit. I have a 4.0, unweighted. We do honors, but not AP. I also organized the entire prom literally. I found the Dj, and got him to donate his services, held votes and meetings, which no one attended, came up with theme options, chose decorations to order, made flyers, decorated, built and painted decorations, etc... There was literally only one other student who showed up for all the meetings. It was also the most successful and functional prom the school has ever had. If it weren't for me we wouldn't have had one at all. I am a very independent student, and have never relied on anyone for my own success. I have gone through significant financial struggles. I am taking a gap-year to figure things out, and that is how I have become interested in Harvard, additional to my counselers suggestion. I plan to go to Nepal for a semester with Where There Be Dragons, and have been working very hard to pay off my highschool tuition. I am also spending time on my art, and my family. This year I will visit my dad who I havn't seen in almost 6 years, and will get my brother out of online school and into boarding school as well. I am also an artist and musician, and had a painting chosen to be submitted in the congressional art competition, as well as won first place and reserve champion in the county fair, and had a name-your-price offer for it. I am applying to only 2 Ivy leagues, Harvard, first choice, and Brown(Brown/RISD dual degree) I am also applying to WWU, St. Johns, Cornell COLLEGE, and UA at Fairbanks, kind of a mixed bag I know. Is that a bad thing, to apply at these places? My principal also said he is willing to write a letter for me in the case that the level of academic rigor I am capable of is not apparent. Harvard seems to take these things into consideration, but I'm not sure which things to tell, or whether it will really help when they look at the hard numbers/facts. Does going to a small school hurt my chances? I have learned more on a personal level about myself and others than I ever could have at public school, and have had wonderful opportunities presented to me because of it. I also have become a master at disscusion/seminar class style, and leadership. which I believe is a valuable, and rare skill to have at a highschool level. I have an interview in two weeks, but have not applied, so I'm not sure what they will really want to know. I also have additional EC's and achievments but I'm afraid I've bored you all long enough:]
Thank you for any input.</p>