Long First post but would greatly appreciate all opinions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>Hi,</p>

<p>This is my first post on cc after reading for a while so I hope it doesn't break any rules. Also, it will be long.</p>

<p>I am a rising senior this year and am preparing to apply to my colleges. To be honest, Dartmouth is my top choice simply because of the small community and the major in neuroscience. However, my parents (especially my mother, a former harvard grad student) are dead set on my applying to harvard and I figure that this is the best place to get an honest assessment of my chances.</p>

<p>I have always known that harvard was a stretch for anyone and that was reaffirmed after one of my smartest friends who was excellent on paper was rejected. As such I was hoping to receive a "chance assessment" before I wasted the application fee.</p>

<p>I believe that I have a fairly good transcript and that my ECs are my greatest strength. All year amounts assume continued participation this year, however all offices save tennis captain are secured.</p>

<p>High school GPA: 3.8 unweighted ( I slacked off a bit sophomore year)
Class rank: 6 out of 198
SAT 1 : 2310 ( 790 verbal , 760 math, 760 writing)
SAT 2: 780 Bio M, 800 Lit, 800 US History
APs: 5's on US history, Literature, US Govt and Politics ( these are the only AP's my school offers)</p>

<p>ECs:</p>

<p>Class President 10-12
2 year Director of Interact Club (rotary youth service organization)
4 years on tennis team (captain for 11, hopefully 12 as well)
4 years on soccer team
4 years of Tuba in Honor Band (First chair 11-12)
4 year member of academic quiz team
2 year member of mock trial team
Eagle Scout, assistant scoutmaster</p>

<p>Currently serve as President of local chapter of Jack and Jill (african american service organization)</p>

<p>Awards/honors
5 year member of national boy scout honor society
2 year National Honor society member
2 year Tri-M music honor society member
New York Youth Delegate to 2009 World Food Prize Symposium
High honor roll throughout High School</p>

<p>Personal:</p>

<p>I have traveled extensively on an international level (peru, romania, nigeria, ghana, south africa, france, Germany, australia) but not very much within the states. (side question: is travel a good essay topic or has it been overdone?)</p>

<p>I am a first generation student since both of my parents emigrated from Nigeria. I hope to go on after college to Medical school and train to be a neurologist.
My parents want me to go to harvard but I believe an Ivy is an Ivy and that I can go just as far with a dartmouth education, especially since I can major in my hopeful medical field. Thats not to say that Harvard isn't great (it clearly is) but that I think dartmouth is the better fit for me.</p>

<p>To conclude this ridiculously long post, thanks for reading and for any advice you can offer.</p>

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<p>I’ve seen longer</p>

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<p>Apply to Harvard, but every time you mean to say “Harvard” in your essay, insert “Yale” instead. That should just about nix admission.</p>

<p>But seriously, apply in earnest. Make the parents happy. Cross the bridge of where to go when, and if, you are admitted.</p>

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<p>^^That’ what I thought</p>

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<p>Lolz don’t worry about the long post :)</p>

<p>I really like that you want to go to Dartmouth not just because of the name or the “oooh, Ivy” factor, but because you know of their neuroscience program. That shows ambition!!!</p>

<p>I would say apply to Harvard. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? Ultimately, you get accepted or rejected. If you get rejected, then that solves that; if you get accepted to both Harvard and Dartmouth, then you’ve gotten yourself into a privileged position that many, many people would die to be in lolz and you get to choose between two really great schools. Plus, the parents will be happy.</p>

<p>From what you’ve written, it seems like you have a fair chance at both schools. So I say apply, but don’t apply just because we CC people said to. Apply because YOU want to. Best of luck!! Hope you make your dream school!</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for the help. </p>

<p>I’ve talked it over with my guidance counselor (who is also my tennis coach so I have easy access). He had a similar opinion to that of nikki95 and we decided that it couldn’t hurt to apply. So now everyone’s happy :slight_smile: All I have to do is hope and pray that if that acceptances come I’ll make the right choice for me.</p>

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<p>I know you have concluded that you are going to go ahead and apply but I just thought I would add D’s story. She visited Harvard twice. Come out disliking it both times. The info sessions and tours do nothing for you unless you are already interested in Harvard. They will not sell you on the school. I guess Harvard gets enough applications anyhow. So D was not going to apply. In November of her senior year she needed one more “reach school”. Harvard’s application was really easy and took her an additional 45 minutes after doing those 9 other applications. In January, she had her interview. That was her turning point. Anyhow, she was accepted and after going to the admitted student weekend, she chose to attend Harvard. </p>

<p>She is starting her sophomore year and is expecting to be Neuroscience concentrator with possibly a mind, brain and behavior track.</p>

<p>BTW I should answer your question. I believe that your profile is strong enough that Harvard might accept you. Unfortunately, there is no absolute way to tell for anyone.</p>

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<p>Anything that displays what makes you your own unique self is a good essay topic. It’s hard to imagine that your travel experiences, as diverse as they’ve been, haven’t shaped you profoundly.</p>