<p>Taking IB. 3 years almost. (Did IGCSE's insted of IBMYP though I did IBMYP in 8th and part of 9th grade...anyway!)</p>
<p>Never attended any high schools (three of them) that offered AP though they all offered IB. It would makes sense, though, that AP students would do a little better on SAT I/II since the format would be similar. However, I have never heard this before so I wouldn't know. (Again, I have no AP students' scores to compare with mine and my classmates.) </p>
<p>My SAT I scores were 2030, CR: 730, M: 690 and W: 610. Writing (and stupid grammar which is my nemesis) totally blew me.</p>
<p>"icko4: Again, I totally I agree with you that being in the top 5% of IB is not a hook on its own. However, combined with other accomplishments; it may make for an interesting candidate. Instead of having a laundry list of achievements/clubs/cs/ec; what I have is a laundry list of activities and leadership roles WITHIN each EC."</p>
<p>I have seen many applicants like you. Some are accepted, most are rejected (as is the case for most applicants to Harvard).</p>
<p>Being a full IB student is not a hook even if you have done it for 6 years. The only reason that other IB students haven't done what you have done is that most IB programs in this country do not offer full IB for so many years.</p>
<p>Harvard expects students to take advantage of challenging academic opportunities that are available to them. Harvard doesn't penalize students for lack of participation in challenging activities that are not available in their area.</p>
<p>You certainly have a shot at Harvard. I don't see anything, however, to put you in a different category than other Harvard applicants, most of whom are well qualified for admission, and most of whom still will be rejected because of lack of space.</p>
<p>I don't see anything in your background that qualifies as a hook. The unhooked applicants whom I have seen get in have very high SAT scores, high grades, a rigorous curriculum and usually two very strong unrelated ECs with leadership or awards at a state or national level.</p>
<p>Northstarmom: Oh, I have no interest in Harvard. I totally agree with you that no college is going to penalize anyone because certain opportunities were not available to them. These opportunities WERE available to me and I took advantage of them, that is my point. I also agree that I don't have any one thing in my resume that qualifies as a hook. However, my unique 'package' is just that - unique. It is the sum of some very challenging and unique experiences that I have accomplished on my own. Do you not believe having to work and save money so that I could go to school every summer (two of them abroad in developing countries) a unique characteristic? Spending one summer with no hot showers, no washing machine, no working stove and doing volunteer work something that shows character? Placing my personal safety at risk so that I could further my education because I could not afford it here in the U.S? Spending my summer teaching kids English at a school that had an outhouse (with no door mind you) on my own, with no personal agenda (no religous affiliation, etc.) while my friends went on expensive school sponsored trips visiting several countries in Europe? Having to volunteer as an assistant skating coach so that I could earn ice time at the rink? I also organize guest speakers and arrange activities for people from all walks of life so that they can empower themselves and learn about abuse, appearance and proper etiquette - skills needed to get ahead in life. Of course, not one thing stands out as anything 'great' - but I am talking about the total package I have to offer. By the way, I have not listed everything I have accomplished; just highlighting a couple of things that set me a part.</p>
<p>Being a blonde 17 year old traveling ALONE in Central America and being told once that there was a 100% chance I would get hurt if I took a particular route back to the airport will make for some interesting essays. What I am taking about here is being mature, being a risk taker, being a go-getter.</p>
<p>Reading these posts would make one believe that unless an applicant has top SAT scores coupled with a national award or invention - you are a loser and/or not a desirable candidate for a selective college. How do you compare a top SAT score against one's willingness to put their safety at risk in order to better themselves and help others? How does an SAT score measure maturity, character, integrity and work ethics? How will having a top SAT score prove you are a more qualified candidate and help those around you (when you have already demonstrated your ability by having very high grades and you've demonstrated your ability and willingness to serve those around you who are less fortunate). </p>
<p>Gosh, perhaps I should not have attempted to take risks, further my education and help others but instead stayed home and prepared better for the SATs. </p>
<p>Do you think my participation in class discussions will be based upon my perfect SAT scores or rather the unique experiences I bring with me? Does having a perfect SAT score make me an interesting person, will I have something to offer to someone else based on my SAT score or will other people learn from me because of my character, hard work and drive to succeed despite being faced with challenges? If the former is true, I guess I have no place in college and nothing to offer or contribute.</p>
<p>"I wasn't kidding. I've read several times in all of those admissions strategy books that having ECs in all different areas seems unfocused"</p>
<p>I have not created a strategy, gimmick or "hook" to get in to college. What I have to offer is the "real deal". The things I have done cannot be fabricated nor done simply as a tool to get into college. No one in their right mind would do the things I have done in order to get an edge or create some type of hook. </p>
<p>If my demonstrated abilites (meaning my high gpa); taking the hardest courses not in my school mind you, but in my county and all the other things I have to offer that cannot be meansured by numbers are not what the schools are looking for in a candidate and they ALL reject me - then they have done ME a huge favor. If they feel that my less than perfect SAT scores will prevent me from succeeding at their institution or I am not a good fit - than I welcome the rejection letter. </p>
<p>I have had the pleasure of attending school abroad with people from all over the world and from different backgrounds (including a Harvard law student and a graduate of Columbia now attending UC law school just to name a couple). I still keep in touch with my friends, despite our cultural differences (my other friends live in Norway, Germany and Italy). Although these were extremely bright people and they all had something unique to offer to our stimulating discussions; I cannot think of any one time when one of them drew upon their experience of taking the SAT or similar tests, nor did they every draw upon an experience based on their SAT scores. These people were bright and talented in many areas of life. I can probably safely say that the Harvard law student and the graduate of Colombia had much higher SAT scores than myself (also, there was an age difference of about 5 years), but in no way did I feel inferior to their level of intelligence, ever. They wanted to hang around with me! I still keep in touch with my friends and if the SAT measured intelligence; I guarantee you that would not be wasting their time with me if they felt I was a dumb *ss.</p>