<p>@lemons4life Yes the subject tests are now optional, and the average ACT score range is from a 31-35 (there is no exact average score).</p>
<p>Hi everyone! I’ve never been on one of these threads before. I’m applying SCEA to Harvard and RD to Yale, Brown, UPenn, RPI, Columbia, MIT, NYU, BU, and Carnegie Mellon (though, if I get into Harvard, that list will be much shorter!). Best of luck to everyone applying!</p>
<p>@bktohelp. Sorry to enlighten you…like many of us…@notjoe is a parent of a student already “admitted”…</p>
<p>OHH, sorry about that, i should have done a background check.</p>
<p>So anyways let’s keep it cool, @notjoe , COngrats to you and your son,(a little late for that). That sure is an enviable position.</p>
<p>Is there anything i can do to bolster my application? What profile is more appealing for harvard? Thanks 
</p>
<p>@lemons4life: They’re optional as of this year. </p>
<p>@bktohelp: As you have yet to share anything regarding your qualifications, it’s difficult for others to offer advice on how to bolster your application.</p>
<p>@bktohelp,</p>
<p>My apologies for not drinking my first cup of coffee before posting to you yesterday morning.</p>
<p>However, even still, there are those who would suggest that if you’re going to apply to Harvard, you’ll get the most relative bang for your buck applying SCEA. Admissions data cited on different threads shows that EA programs to other extremely-selective schools may not give much of a bump to students applying early. However, the admit rate for Harvard SCEA makes a strong case that applying to Harvard this way may be the wisest course, after all.</p>
<p>Good luck with your attempts.</p>
<p>@gravitas2 - Actually, my younger son will be joining my older son in a few weeks as they go back together to Cambridge, as my younger son was admitted this spring to the class of 2018. He, by the way, did not apply SCEA. - Thanks.</p>
<p>What are your essays going to be about (if you’re comfortable with sharing?)</p>
<p>@235423 and @WooTheDay
I’m kind of confused about the whole optional SAT subject tests.
I know that on their admissions page, it says “While we normally require two SAT Subject Tests, you may apply without them if the cost of the tests represents a financial hardship or if you prefer to have your application considered without them.”
I’m going to be taking two SAT subject tests (Math II and Chemistry) in October, and I can already tell you that I feel really confident with the Math II test, so I don’t mind sending that score to Harvard, but if I get a lower score than expected on Chemistry, then I definitely don’t want to send that score. If I choose to send 1 subject test score, is that okay too?</p>
<p>If Harvard normally requires 2 SAT subject test scores, is it bad if I only send one subject test score?
And on top of that, their admissions page also says, “If there is any doubt, you should take two Subject Tests.”
Can anyone help me clear up this issue?
Thanks!</p>
<p>(<a href=“Application Requirements | Harvard”>https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-process/sat-subject-tests</a>) </p>
<p>@PrinceCoup </p>
<p>My current understanding is that, although the tests aren’t ‘required’ at present, you’d be shooting yourself in the foot unnecessarily if you choose to eschew them in your application. Remember, for a university as selective as Harvard, all of the fine details count- they need some way to differentiate between many gifted students.</p>
<p>I think that the adcoms are only likely to look favorably on a lack of subject tests if there is some good reason for their exclusion- such as the clearly stated ‘financial hardship’. I may be dead wrong on all of this, but it’s my current understanding.</p>
<p>Why don’t you just study harder for the chem and assure a high score for yourself? The test is always the same- it’s merely an effort equation.
Alternatively, take a third test that you’re more confident in?</p>
<p>“The decision whether to take Subject Tests is entirely up to you. You should ask yourself whether other academic credentials including, but not limited to AP results, IB marks, A Levels grades, etc., adequately represent your suitability for studying at Harvard. If there is any doubt, you should take two Subject Tests. Official scores should be sent if possible but can be forwarded after matriculation if expense is a consideration.” (<a href=“Application Requirements | Harvard”>https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-process/sat-subject-tests</a>)</p>
<p>I interpret this text as saying that you are fine even without submitting subject tests as long as you have enough of other challenging and standardized tests/exams, be they IB marks, A-level grades, Pre-U, AP or whatnot, to prove your academic capabilities. </p>
<p>Hello guys, I’m an international applicant from Mumbai, India.
Is there another thread for RD applicants ?</p>
<p>Well, I’ve decided to try applying SCEA. I’m a huge fan of the East Coast and Harvard in general, so it’s nice to meet all of you guys! </p>
<p>I’m from Anchorage, AK.</p>
<p>Nice to meet everyone! I’m from the Greater Boston area, about 25 mins. away from Harvard’s campus. What other schools are you all considering?</p>
<p>Awwwwwww yeah… Lets go Harvard 2019! I’m super excited to apply SCEA along with the rest of you! I have an eclectic range of interests, which include biology and chemistry, music (saxophone, clarinet, guitar, and the EWI lol) and foreign languages and cultures (fluent in Spanish, Arabic is next 
). Best of luck to everyone and myself! We’ll need it.</p>
<p>@knoxclark3 I love languages too! I’m fluent in Arabic and I’m proficient in French, though my formal writing needs some work. I’m also learning Italian to prepare for a trip to Italy next summer. Arabic is such a unique language, and I think it’s becoming increasingly useful
@theluckylinguist: I’m also applying to Yale, Georgetown, Northwestern, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, and UCSD (I’m a CA resident). What about you? </p>
<p>Hi everyone! I’m most likely applying RD but it’s great to see so many people passionate about Harvard! Anyways, I’m from Northern California and I’m a prospective Linguistics major–besides English, I can speak Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and a bit of Finnish. </p>
<p>Some other colleges I’m applying to include Princeton (probably SCEA), UPenn, Columbia, Dartmouth, Duke, Northwestern, Stanford, Wellesley, Johns Hopkins, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego.</p>
<p>Good luck everyone!</p>
<p>@frozens I’m a MA resident applying also applying to BU, Brandeis, Wellesley, Tufts, Gordon College and Northeastern! I’m hoping to major in linguistics and minor in a few languages (hopefully French and Korean, which I’m studying now.) Got any ideas for a major?</p>
<p>@theluckylinguist: Linguistics sounds like such an interesting major and I’m considering minoring in it because languages are absolutely fascinating I’m applying as a Poli Sci major, but I’m also very interested in Econ so I may end up switching over. I’m definitely a social sciences kind on person. </p>
<p>Hi guys, I’m applying SCEA. I’m mainly interested in physics, and slightly disheartened because it seems like Harvard favors the humanities among undergrads. </p>