<p>So I would imagine that of all the people that want to apply to Harvard, someone has to have tried to talk directly to adcoms or some internal official at the school about getting an “edge” on admissions. Care to share any information?</p>
<p>Do you think cracking jokes on the common app is a good idea?</p>
<p>Like under EC put: taking the SAT</p>
<p>Humor me, was that a crack at my stats?</p>
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<p>Not if they’re as lame as that.</p>
<p>Survive thread, survive!</p>
<p>Somewhat of a stretch: is being gay a hook?</p>
<p>No, sorry. If it was, wouldn’t every applicant claim it?</p>
<p>I would hope not. I really just meant is it something that would get me a second look if I explicitly stated that I was and I wasn’t lying about it. That just seems desperate…</p>
<p>I take a Seminar Teaching and Learning class (junior). Would I be wise to say that I have over 500 hours of peer tutoring by including time spent in there?</p>
<p>Anymore chances? Preferably those that may have been accepted with a similar GPA</p>
<p>No one here can give you a definite answer, but you’ve obviously overcome a ton by dealing with adversity all around and still coming out on top of your class. Also, the top schools are looking for humans, and you’ve shown you have personality on this thread. Just let those two things shine in your essays, and you’ve got a better shot than the kid in Long Island with a trust fund. If it’s your top pick go for broke with EA (trust me, the wait until April is excruciating.) And feel free to list any EC you can, contrary to popular belief, the adcoms know kids will try their hardest to get in and will list everything. Let them decide if it’s important or not. If going to Harvard is truly your dream than you don’t need us telling you if you should apply or not, just give it a shot and realize it’s an honor to even be able to consider applying (seriously.)</p>
<p>So, applying in the fall. Any more words of encouragement or advice?</p>
<p>I would definitely apply EA (or the restrictive EA at Princeton, it will probably help a bit more). But with your story, you become unique and it justifies a 3.6 GPA (which is obviously good, but below Ivy/Top25 standards).</p>
<p>When writing about the adversity you have overcome, be sure to talk about yourself and your personal growth not just the facts of what happened. Good Luck</p>