Lowest stats and ECs for a unhooked, non-legacy/athlete/URM, etc...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>Ok, so I'm a pretty smart kid, but my chance to get into Harvard are 0.0001%. But I still want to apply and think I would really like the school. </p>

<p>I'm just a sophomore, but I'm trying find out the most about schools now.</p>

<p>I won't go into too much details about my stats, but here is a brief overview.
I'll have a 4.2W GPA and hopefully around a 3.85 UW by the time I'm a senior. I'm not that great at standardized testing, but I'm working very hard and hope to score 32/1400+.
So, those a pretty good grades/scores, but I know there are many people with better scores than me.<br>
Some ECs I have so far: Eagle Scout, Eucharistic Minister, a lot of volunteering, especially with special needs kids with various programs. Other minor things like Model UN, mock trial, Student Ambassador and other clubs. I've had a job since I was 15.
So nothing that will really blow you away. </p>

<p>Summer between Jr. and Sr. year I hope to do one or more of the following:
A) LEAD or TASP. Unlikely that I get into one of these, but I'll apply anyway, they seem like fun and worthwhile.
B) Study abroad for a month or so. I tried to do it this summer, but it just couldn't work out and I'm looking for a fairly cheap program. Chances are, this won't work...again, but I'll try.
C) Take classes at a local CC. It would be nice to get a jump start on some credits while in H.S.</p>

<p>For one of my essays I hope to incorporate being a military kid, moving around and highlight living in NYC during 9/11, while a parent was in the military. Hopefully that should make for an interesting read, but I can't bank on just that. </p>

<p>So I guess the gist of my question is, do you know a few kids, like me, who appear "average" compared to other HYPS applicants?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>lets see. me = white male, upper middle class. non-legacy. private school. that’s about as unhooked as you can get. </p>

<p>34 ACT
780, 750, 740 SAT II
3.9 UW</p>

<p>Even had some Bs senior year. It was my ECs that got me in.</p>

3

<p>I’m kind of similar to Ace2209</p>

<p>white male, middle class, non-legacy, private school</p>

<p>35 ACT
2270 SAT I (690 CR, 800 M, 780 W)
SAT II’s - 800 Math II, 800 Chem, 740 Physics
4.0 UW GPA (4.6 weighted)</p>

<p>and I got rejected</p>

<p>so it’s not all about the test scores (my stats were slightly higher than Ace2209, but he got in and I didn’t - just goes to show there is much more to an applicant than numbers)</p>

4

<p>I’d consider my stats pretty average (or below average) too, 2180 SATs (780/780/620) and a 3.9 GPA. Like Ace, I think I got in (to Harvard, Yale) because of my ECs–so there’s hope if your stats seem “average.”</p>

5

<p>Harvard claims that academics only make one third of an applicant while ECs also make one third and personal qualities and such make up also one third.</p>

<p>However, ex-Dartmouth admissions officer claims that 70% of an applicant is academics. And when calculating one’s AI (academic index) which is allegedly used across the Ivies, test scores SAT/ACT + SAT2 make up two thirds of the AI, and your grades make one third. Bare in mind that it’s not only GPA and class rank that matters, admission officers lower the AI if he or she sees a weak curriculum or whatever reason that is lesser competitive.</p>

6

<p>
[quote=]
so there’s hope if your stats seem “average.”

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I guess I’m just reading CC too much, but my ECs are pretty average too, maybe above average, but not great.</p>

<p>What were some of your ECs to go with your stats?</p>

<p>Thanks everyone.</p>

7

<p>Four years ago, my son did not apply to Harvard but did do relatively well in his admissions. He got into UPenn, Tufts, and then accepted off waitlist to Cornell. </p>

<p>Things I will say about his application is his essays were good enough but not the caliber I now realize are written by high school kids. D’s (who applied and got into Harvard) were better.</p>

<p>But I think what did help him was his work experience and Eagle scout. He made Eagle January of his junior year and stayed involved through that year and tried to be involved his senior year but they moved the day of the troop meeting which was a problem. He did a lot of leadership in the troop. His last leadership position was assistant scoutmaster. Both his Life and Eagle projects were significant. After making eagle, he continued to work on rank. He wore out after earning Gold Palms and did not make it to silver like he planned. Eagle is unusual but, since so many scouts seem to earn it one day shy of 18, Palms are much more unusual.</p>

<p>Then for his work experience, he began working at 14 w/ 20 hours/week over the summer. The summer that he was 16 he worked 50 hours/week for the summer except for the weeks that he supported the scouts at summer camp and supported the high school marching band at their week training.</p>

<p>From what I understand, selective schools are not looking for shallow involvement. Your EC’s can be fine. Stick with them and dig deep. Be committed and be able to convey this in your applications.</p>

<p>D, who got into Harvard, did not do “spectacular” summer activities or EC’s. D’s EC were relatively common, but she did them with commitment - dance since 2, skiing - since 5 (coach this year), saxophone - since 9 - 3 high school school bands, 4 years and drum major this year, NHS President - who isn’t, but teacher rep stated D was the best NHS President she’s encountered, salt water fishing since 7 - source of her main essay. Her volunteering also was not amazing but was done consistently for 4+ years. None for this was done “for Harvard”. They were done due to her own interest.</p>

<p>D’s stats were strong, so they are not the best comparison - ACT 35, SAT II 790, 780, 740, Rank 1, GPA 4.0, - white, female, non-legacy, no FA, public high school.</p>

<p>BUT her close friend, who got in, has scores matching what you mentioned with +/- 700s across the board. His EC’s though were very strong and very deep with years of consistent commitment.</p>

<p>Hope this helped.</p>