Mexican-American Chances at Harvard?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am 1/4 Mexican which makes me legally a Mexican-American (though I'm pretty white) so when I fill out forms I have put to down both Hispanic and White. I attend the #1 public high school in my state and I'm in the top 12%. My unweighted GPA is a 4.367, and my high school grades are mostly As with a few Bs. I did make a C one semester sophomore year, but my grades have greatly improved since and I managed only one B junior year. </p>

<p>My SAT is in the upper 1300s & I retook it last week and I believe I did better.
My ACT is a 31.
I'm on the tennis team, in student government, community service clubs, and a whole slew of other ec.
I am a National Merit Commended Student and a National Merit Hispanic Scholar.
My family and I do a lot of international travelling, such as going into the middle of the Amazon Basin in eastern Peru surrounded by native villages and I've attended Spanish school for a month in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, which allowed me to skip a year of Spanish.
I'm taking the hardest classes my school has to offer and my AP courses are US History (5), Euro History, Bio, Spanish 4 & 5, and English.</p>

<p>I realize that I am an extremely weak candidate for Harvard, but the sole reason I am taking my chances is because of my minority status. Harvard has a Mexican-American population of 3.6%. My essay focused on being white but being counted as a Mexican-American and the whole identity thing. I've checked over these forums but I haven't seen anything else about Hispanic applicants. While Harvard is my number one choice, I'm realistic about my chances and I'm applying to a bunch of other schools that I actually have a shot at. Just wondering if anyone knew what the usual Harvard Mexican-American is like. Any feedback on my chances will be welcome, thanks.</p>

2

<p>1300 is too weak; can't you put it up to 1400 range?</p>

3

<p>I honestly feel that I broke 1400 this last time, but I won't know until about 2 weeks from now (I studied a whole lot for it).</p>

<p>Some things I forgot to mention from above:
I've been an acolyte at my church for the past 8 years.
I've attended a summer camp for the past 8 years, and I'm currently a junior counselor and in two years I'll become a full-fledged counselor (which is actually a big deal at the camp).
I've played guitar for the past 11 years (including classical guitar), I can play the keyboards and bass, and I can play the banjo. I've been in my school's battle of the bands for 2 years (going on 3) and I've performed in my school's talent show twice (I won 3rd this year for playing the banjo).</p>

<p>Thanks again for any feedback.</p>

4

<p>if you get 1450 then you might have some good chance - but if less, then I think you would hard time unless you get an outstanding essay and recs.</p>

5

<p>You have a pretty good chances. AA might work less for you tho, seeing as you and your essay will attest to the fact that you're practically white.</p>

6

<p>how did you get ove 4.0 Unweighted???</p>

7

<p>sorry I meant weighted</p>

8

<p>bump, any other opinions?</p>

9

<p>I don't know where the poster get "you have a pretty good chance". It is not realistic to expect 1300 SAT to carry one over Harvard's gate unless you have a fantastic hook. The the only hook you mentioned is how confused you are as "am I white or am I Hispanic?" You would need a lot of luck to find an adcom who buys that as a plus, let alone a huge plus that would lift other parts of your resume. Sorry I have to be frank.</p>