<p>Deferred.</p>
<p>Not going to post stats because I’d like to remain anonymous, but my advice to those applying next year is not to get your hopes up too high for any one university in particular. Also, don’t be satisfied with your essay if you think it might be your application’s weak point because it feels terrible to think that my essay may have been what cost me admission to my dream school.</p>
<p>Congratulations to those accepted though.</p>
<p>**Decision: Accepted **</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I: didn’t send
ACT (breakdown): 34: 34, 33, 35, 34, 11 Writing
SAT II (place score in parentheses): didn’t send because they were terrible
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/2-- It fluctuates.
AP (place score in parentheses): Calc and Eng (5), Stats (4)
IB (place score in parentheses): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: two classes for journalism, AP English, AP Calc B/C, AP Physics, AP Econ. At the college level: Political Science 1 (Counts as AP Gov) and Forensics (College level debate)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): the usual AP Scholar and honor society kind of things. Some major high school and collegiate debate awards as well as some state awards for HOSA. Also, writing and design kind of awards. </p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Lots of work in politics, debate, community service, commissions, and other organizations. Leadership roles in almost all of them.
Job/Work Experience: Internship at Kaiser and local Assemblymember
Volunteer/Community Service: Didn’t report any actual hours (I was to lazy to collect the hours; besides, community service shouldn’t be about meticulously logging every minute of service you give to the community; it should be about making an impact in others’ lives. Rough 2000+ hour estimate) Anyways, volunteered at all the usual places with concentrations in health.<br>
Summer Activities: The internships and taking college classes.
Essays: 1) Wrote about developing a voice in the community 9/10 Wrote this essay 2 hours before I turned in application and then immediately went to the hospital because I was so stressed out. 2) 10/10 Emotional story about my father’s stroke and how I perceived it at five years of age. 3) 9/10 Wrote about using journalism as my creative outlet for artwork and photography.
Teacher Recommendations:
Teacher 1: 15/10 Made me cry. “Most hardworking student I have seen in my 25 years of teaching”
Teacher 2: 15/10 Also made me cry.
Teacher 3: 10/10 Written by college debate coach. I didn’t get to read it, but I know it was good.
Counselor Rec: 9/10 Not going to complain
Additional Rec: 9/10 Written by Assemblymember’s senior field representative.
Interview: Felt like I was rambling, but I know I came off as passionate. I’ve done quite a few interviews and would give it a 7/10</p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? Yes. My pockets are pretty empty.
Projected Concentration: Political Science
State (if domestic applicant): CA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: East Asian: Chinese
Gender: F
Income Bracket: <30,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): It’s hard to say.</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: It’s hard to say when compared to such a great applicant pool.
Weaknesses: Maybe the interview? Also no subject tests
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Involvement in community, and I think my compassion for helping others really showed through my essays.
Where else you are applying or have already applied: Thanking the based God for being done with applications. Not applying anywhere else. And to be honest, why would I?
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight:
Hard work really does pay off. My schedule is loaded with meetings and my weekends filled with agenda writing and test cramming. I can’t thank the admissions staff enough for accepting me! </p>
<p>To future applicants: Don’t be afraid to explore fields that you are passionate about. At first, I was set on being a doctor, so I joined anything health related, but after an internship with Kaiser, I realized that the health occupations are not for me. So, I decided to look into the government and try to address some of the issues that I saw were affecting my friends and community. </p>
<p>Also, when you apply, be humble. Realistically, expect to be rejected, and rejoice when/if you are accepted. </p>
<p>Good luck to everyone!</p>
<p>Decision: Accepted </p>
<p>SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 32C (29 English, 34 Math, 31 Reading, 34 Science)
SAT II (place score in parentheses): Math 2 (750), US Hist (700)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.86
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parentheses): 4 Physics, 4 US Hist
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, AP English Lit, AP Enviro Sci, AP US Gov, Sports Stats, 3D Art
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): School Honor Roll (9, 10, 11), Nat’l Achievement Outstanding Participant</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Varsity Football 3 years (played all 4 years however), Varsity Baseball 2 years (played all 4 years however), Job/Work Experience: n/a
Volunteer/Community Service: Boys & Girls Club mentor and baseball coach (all 4 years), Reviving Baseball in the Innercities participant and coach (all 4 years),
Summer Activities: All baseball, all the time
Essays: Excellent
Teacher Recommendations: Loved me
Counselor Rec: I’m sure strong but not as much as Teacher Recs
Additional Rec:
Interview: Really strong, talked over the hour.</p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? Yep
Projected Concentration: Econ or Applied Math
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: mid-size elite private
Ethnicity: Black
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $150k +
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: excellent grades at extremely competitive elite prep school, math/science excellent grades in honors and AP classes, ACT math and science scores
Weaknesses: no major awards, ACT composite
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I think being a black male scholar- 2 sport athlete who ranks fairly high in my class from one of the best high schools in the country punched my ticket. I pitched it, wrote a GREAT essay and they accepted me!
Where else you are applying or have already applied: Applied to Cal. But I’ve already pressed the ‘I’m Coming’ button, not applying anywhere else.
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: I’d say be real, don’t try to fake it. Have a passion. Baseball is mine, it’s what I do and because I live in Cali, it’s year round. I didn’t try to fake it with putting in random volunteer experiences in Costa Rica. My service was around my passion. Really take time to write a strong essay. Honestly, still can’t believe it. Harvard wasn’t even initially on my list because c’mon, it’s HARVARD! I was going to apply to other Ivies I felt more confident would accept me but my parents and a counselor (who wasn’t even mine) persuaded me to go for it. So glad they did! Man, unbelievable!</p>
<p>First of all, it’s insane that I’m writing this. </p>
<p>**Decision: Accepted **</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Did not submit
ACT (breakdown): 32 (35E, 30M, 32R, 32S)
SAT II (place score in parentheses): Did not submit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/412
AP (place score in parentheses):
IB (place score in parentheses): SL Spanish: 7 (only test taken)
Senior Year Course Load: Full IB Diploma + AP Calculus AB (BC not offered at my school)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Top 15 in International science competition, state winner in major science competition, various state/regional science fair awards, first alternate for United States Senate Youth Program, TEDx Speaker, Harvard Prize Book, lots of other school/community awards, Columbia and MIT flew me to their campuses for weekend visits</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses):
Student Government (President -12), Science Honor Society (Vice President -12), School Mentorship Program (Co-Founder, President 11-12), Production Team Member for TEDx Event (12 –different from the one I’m speaking at), JV/Varsity Track (9-12), Spanish Honor Society (Representative 11-12), Science Competition team (Co-Captain), Regional Student Leadership Board (10), County Leadership program (11), LOTS of church involvement (Youth Group, Technology Team, Dancing 9-12)
Job/Work Experience: Paid intern in research lab at med school (Summer 2014). Non-paid intern in research lab at other med school (Summer 2013)
Volunteer/Community Service: National volunteer program - I serve 300 hours at local nonprofits. It’s been an awesome experience so far. I’ve also been heavily involved with Student Government, Beta, and NHS service projects in my school and community, over 300 hours served there.
Summer Activities: As stated above: LAB – all day, err day. (I did intensive summer dance camps my freshman and sophomore summers, but didn’t put that on my app)
Essays: Really loved my common app essay, spent months on it and edited it many, many, many times. Gave it to friends and teachers to read. I wrote it about how my research has had an impact on my leadership and communication skills. My supplement was an anecdote centered around a painting I’ve had on my wall for the past six years. Talked about how overcoming my fears in middle school shaped who I am today.
Teacher Recommendations: So…I sent a total of 6 recs – 3 teacher recs, 2 additional, 1 counselor. I really don’t know if that helped or hurt me. Didn’t read any of my recs, but I’ve been pretty close to these teachers throughout high school, so I feel very confident that my teacher recs are very good. 9-10/10
Counselor Rec: Didn’t read, but I worked extensively with them on launching the mentorship program! 9-10/10
Additional Rec: From my lab mentor and the program coordinator from my other summer research program. Feel great about these too!
Interview: Actually pretty formulaic; I was surprised. I was basically quoting my resume for an hour. My interviewer was really nice though and we had a legit conversation at the end haha</p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? You better believe it.
Projected Concentration: Neurobiology
State (if domestic applicant): South
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Black American
Gender: XX
Income Bracket: Upper middle
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Awards, LOTS of biomedical research, URM</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: I think my essays really conveyed my personality, ECs
Weaknesses: ACT score!!!
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Hooks, lots of leadership, international award, state awards, I’m not a robot, I was the best I could possibly be and I stayed chill
Where else you are applying or have already applied: State school, Yale, Princeton, Brown and MIT, Columbia (list was much longer before…haha)
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight:
MY BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE: Find something you love to do and be AMAZING at it. Pursue every opportunity you can in that field (competitions, leadership roles, internships, etc.). You’ll have a great time, meet incredible people, and not even realize that you’re building your resume. Take initiative to find these opportunities. I found my lab internships by using Google. No joke. </p>
<p>From talking to teachers, I’m the first person from my school ever to get into Harvard (my school is over 75 years old). It’s super crazy and I couldn’t have done it without God’s grace, pursuing my passions, and taking initiative. </p>
<p>So after you have gotten a good idea of what a Harvard admit looks like, get off College Confidential and THRIVE. Be the best student, friend, whateveritisyoudo-er, and have fun. GOD BLESS.</p>
<p>**Decision: Accepted **</p>
<p>Sorry if my details are a bit vague! I want to remain anonymous, as I come from a school full of kids that love College Confidential.
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2370 (800 CR, 780 M, 790 CR)
ACT (breakdown): Did not take
SAT II (place score in parentheses): World History (770), US History (750), Spanish (720), Math II (800), Chemistry (710) (I don’t believe I sent the lowest two)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9 (slightly deflated school grading system IMO)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): No rank, guessing within top 10
AP (place score in parentheses): 5s on World History, US History, BC Calculus, Spanish Conversation and Culture
IB (place score in parentheses): None offered
Senior Year Course Load: Multivariable calculus, AP Statistics, AP English, AP Euro History, Post-AP Spanish Comparative Lit Class, AP Physics C
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Various public speaking awards (MUN/Debate), National Merit Scholar Semifinalist, US Senate Youth Program Delegate </p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Leadership position in 4+ clubs that directly correspond with my projected concentration, no sports, pianist
Job/Work Experience: +18 Hours a week doing various things (tutoring, teaching piano)
Volunteer/Community Service: ESL volunteer (I take this very seriously and wrote my supplement on it)
Summer Activities: International service trip that I organized on my own behalf, lots of volunteer work
Essays: Common App: My struggles with math
Teacher Recommendations: Spanish teacher of 3 years wrote a tear-jerking rec that I had the chance to read, English teacher’s was (rumored to be) quite short and ordinary
Counselor Rec: I’m guessing it wasn’t bad, but I have no idea.
Additional Rec: None
Interview: Went extremely well, even though we never talked much about Harvard</p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? No
Projected Concentration: Social Studies (I want to do IR, I also specified my interest for learning languages)
State (if domestic applicant): I’m in New England
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Large public school, >95% caucasian
Ethnicity: Chinese Asian American
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: >200,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I possess all anti-hooks</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: Testing, extracurriculars, awards, demonstrations of ambition
Weaknesses: GPA was below average for accepted students at my school, no hooks (especially as an Asian-American)
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: USSYP is pretty special and my interviewer was extremely enthusiastic about me, although I’m not sure if he actually has that much sway.
Where else you are applying or have already applied: I rescinded all other applications and will (probably) be applying to Stanford, Columbia, and Yale.
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: Allow yourself to care about something you do, even if peer/family pressure tells you otherwise; communicate that drive in your application. I wish I quit all my sports/bullshit earlier on to give me time to pursue the stuff that really ended up mattering to me. It’s important to be angled toward a certain passion and show how your ambition confronts it with enthusiasm. In all, this is still crazy to me. I’m a pretty regular girl. No crazy research, world-recognition, or jaw-dropping grades. Passion, I believe, is what made me stand out. And everybody has that! So work it! </p>
<p>**Decision: Accepted! **</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2190 (730 each section - only taken once with no preparedness)
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II (place score in parentheses): Math 2 (750), Eng Lit (730), Physics (700)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/536
AP (place score in parentheses): Eng Comp (5), Calc AB (5), World History (5), US History (4), Physics B (4), Comp Science (2)
IB (place score in parentheses): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Chem, AP Lit, AP US Gov, AP Psych, AP Calc BC, Photo 2, self-studying AP macro and micro
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Not any major ones, don’t feel like listing/remembering others. Also got junior achievement masonic lodge scholarship and association of university women recognition in math.</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Archery, Volunteering, Key/Interact Club (Treasurer), Math Club (VP and Pres)
Job/Work Experience: Summer internship at GCIV for IVLP, seasonal work at food booth, worked for ecology youth corp one summer (basically involved picking up litter), etc.
Volunteer/Community Service: About 150 hours a year through many different organizations
Summer Activities: Previously-mentioned internship and jobs, had to watch little sister while parents worked.
Essays: I thought they were good - writing is my strong point.
Teacher Recommendations: they all loved me lol. Picked an English teacher and my APUSH/World teacher.
Counselor Rec: He likes me but was out at the time the recommendation was needed, so pretty sure he filled out the bare minimum
Additional Rec: My archery coach/cousin wrote one (I wanted to reveal part of me that wasn’t just academic), and my boss from my internship
Interview: We met at a Starbucks and talked about an hour… It seemed to go pretty well to me. I brought a resume and felt really prepared.</p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? Yup
Projected Concentration: Neurobiology
State (if domestic applicant): WA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: About $75,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): first gen</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: writing (specifically essays), being able to juggle activities well, challenging myself but also knowing my limits
Weaknesses: standardized test scores. They are not my favorite, so I refused to study for most (cough cough, SATs, cough). I decided I’d rather spend my time learning a new instrument or language than studying for a common sense test.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I am original; I don’t have the highest scores, but I choose what I love and pursue it. Passion is really important here.
Where else you are applying or have already applied: applied to UW as a safety, planned to apply to a few others but got my early decision back so no need to.
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: I didn’t focus my entire life into getting into Harvard. Really, I only decided to apply at the end of my junior year. I may be at the top of the academic ladder in my public school and geographical region, but didn’t think I’d have a chance competing against the world. I’m middle class, very white, and not the best test-taker there is. However, I’ve sought knowledge no matter what, pursued my passions for international relations and neuroscience, and have just done what I love to do. I have a deep belief in the transparency of motives: if you fake your way through life, just aiming for top marks but not enjoying anything along the way, you are not fooling anyone. Admissions officers especially are able to see past such facades. But even doing what you love only raises your chances at such schools slightly. Just remember that many passionate and smart students are declined or accepted for the most miniscule of reasons.</p>
<p>Accepted</p>
<p>Objective
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 33 composite
SAT II (place score in parentheses): 800 US History, 740 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.85
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school doesn’t rank, probably top 10%
AP (place score in parentheses): APUSH (5)
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Spanish, AP English, AP Chemistry, AP AB Calculus, Psychology
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Principal’s Leadership, National Honor Society, High Honors, Cornell Book Award</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Debate (President), Spanish Club (President), Student Council, soccer, skiing, track
Job/Work Experience: two lab internships summer after sophomore year and summer after junior year
Volunteer/Community Service: committed to a fundraising project in Rwanda, hospital volunteering, volunteering at a dog shelter
Summer Activities: lab internships, dog shelter and hospital volunteering, trip to Rwanda
Essays:
Teacher Recommendations: my favorite teachers
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec: asked my principal who helped me start debate team; alumni rec
Interview: </p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid: yes
Projected Concentration: undecided
State (if domestic applicant): MA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: public
Ethnicity: white
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: $200,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): legacy</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: additional recommendation letters, breadth of ECs, legacy
Weaknesses: B in chemistry…
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Where else you are applying or have already applied:
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight:</p>
<p>Decision: Accepted !!!</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2400
ACT (breakdown): none
SAT II (place score in parentheses): 800 Chem, 800 Phys, 800 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1
AP (place score in parentheses): 4 5’s (Cal BC, Stats, Bio, Chem)
IB (place score in parentheses):none
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics, AP Compsci, AP English, AP US History, AP Music Theory, Multivariable Calculus, Orchestra
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Siemens semifinalist x2, USAMO qualifier, USAPhO semifinalist</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Orchestra, Mu Alpha Theta, comp sci club
Job/Work Experience: NIH internship, local university internship
Volunteer/Community Service: founded tutoring organization
Summer Activities: research
Essays: didn’t spend much time, typos, etc., common app was not so good, supplemental essay was pretty good
Teacher Recommendations: Math teacher: 9.5/10, English teacher: 8/10
Counselor Rec: probably generic af 5/10
Additional Rec: from NIH mentor prob 7-9/10
Interview: started talking abt my academics and research but interviewer told me straight up that he found that stuff boring so I ended up talking abt music and stuff and he seemed really interested abt that </p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? No
Projected Concentration: comp sci
State (if domestic applicant): mainland US
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Indian
Gender: XY
Income Bracket: did not disclose
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none </p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: luck
Weaknesses: generic asian/indian who does research and math competitions
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: truckload of luck
Where else you are applying or have already applied: state school, MIT, Stanford, Princeton, CalTech, Brown, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight:
My advice: suck up to people’s booties like crazy and be able to bs. In general, the college app process is painful but harvard has it right (write an essay abt whatever). In the end, I consider myself insanely lucky and I am now ready to become afflicted with a powerful bout of senioritis. </p>
**Decision: Accepted **
Not going to post my exact stats (so that I can remain anonymous), but I’ll post the general idea.
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2300+ (one sitting)
SAT II (place score in parentheses): Math/Science (750+), Humanities (700+)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10%
AP (place score in parentheses): Four 5’s (one self-studied), One 3
Senior Year Course Load: 5 difficult AP classes, 4 slacker classes
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Distinction
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses):
–Main gig: Art…various local/state/national awards, submitted supplement
–Side gigs: art startup, music, digital tech projects
–Completely forgot to list my sports and clubs (whoops)
–Clam farts
Volunteer/Community Service: 40 hours at a place where I genuinely enjoy volunteering
Essays:
–Common App: modest, genuine, non-cliche topic
–Supplement: modest, genuine, demonstrated passion
Teacher Recommendations:
–Science teacher: amazing teacher, knows me well
–English teacher: very good with words, but I’m not sure how much he likes me
Counselor Rec: smart guy, knows me well
Interview: super friendly interviewer, talked about my passions and hobbies/talents
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Mail (full package 
)
Income Bracket: < 60,000 (fee waiver)
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation college
Reflection
Strengths: decent academics, good essays, strong/focused/unique EC’s and outside passions/talents
General Comments: I encourage anybody who considers themselves an “underdog” to apply. Nobody would’ve guessed that Harvard would accept me – a quiet, artistic introvert with laid-back parents and a relatively poor immigrant family – but Harvard accepted me. Even if you aren’t a wealthy, type-A overachiever with perfect SAT’s, a million club leadership positions, and hundreds of volunteer hours, there are other ways that you can still demonstrate that you’re honest, focused, unique, talented, hard-working, and bound for success. So enjoy high school, be genuine, do the activities you love (not the ones that your tiger parents told you to do), and excel in your passions. You will be rewarded for this, whether you get into a top college or not.
**Decision: Deferred **
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2140 (
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II (place score in parentheses):
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parentheses):
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load:
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses):
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community Service:
Summer Activities:
Essays:
Teacher Recommendations:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Interview:
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?
Projected Concentration:
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:
Ethnicity:
Gender:
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Reflection
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Where else you are applying or have already applied:
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight:
**Decision: Deferred **
I realized that I forgot to do this, so, here it is:
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2400
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II (place score in parentheses): 800 Latin, 800 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Does Not Rank
AP (place score in parentheses): 5s on AP USH, WH, Calc BC (and AB Subscore), EH, and Lang. and Comp.
IB (place score in parentheses): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Literature, AP Latin IV, AP Stats, AP Physics I, AP Government/H. Economics, and Orchestra
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Black Belt in Karate [participated for eleven years, wrote my essay on it], Economics Club (President/Founder), Robotics (Treasurer), NJCL (Vice President/Treasurer), Squires of Columbus (Treasurer), and
Job/Work Experience: Worked as an intern in the business analytics department of a firm with over 200 million dollars in revenue for two years (was offered a return position on the second, and currently offered a successive third).
Volunteer/Community Service: Around 500 hours in service evenly spread between initiatives in Mexico, and coordinating a variety of community service efforts in my hometown.
Summer Activities: (Working)
Essays: My counselors commented that they were pretty good.
Teacher Recommendations: I never saw them, but I assume that they were positive.
Counselor Rec: Same as the teacher recommendations.
Additional Rec: Did not submit. (Submitting one for the RD round)
Interview: I thought it went well. It did last for 2 1/2 hours, and I thought that we connected on a mutual passion for Economics.
Other
Applied for Financial Aid? Yes.
Projected Concentration: Economics
State (if domestic applicant): AZ
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: M
Income Bracket: 35k (not reported within the application)
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, first-generation, low income (not reported)
Reflection
Strengths: Definitely stats, and my URM status.
Weaknesses: I wish I knew.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I’m honestly not sure. Maybe my recommendations or essays weren’t as good as I had previously thought?
Where else you are applying or have already applied: University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) [first-choice], MIT, Stanford, Princeton, Duke, University of Michigan, WUSTL, Georgetown, USC, and UC Berkeley.
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: I made the mistake in regarding admissions as something other than a crapshoot, and it really did come back to hurt me in the end. There are no set of stats, no innate characteristics, or anything short of having significant name recognition throughout Harvard, itself, that can guarantee you anything better than a mere chance. I guess I’ll just try for the RD round, but my deferral did get me to consider other schools, and I probably would choose Wharton over Harvard if I were to finally earn an acceptance.
To all future applicants: avoid even the slightest inkling of overconfidence. Work hard, and remember that your worth is decided not by the brand name of the college that accepts you, but by the actions that you take wherever you end up. No college decision can or should diminish any of the hard work that you have obviously done to come this far. Best of luck to all fellow deferred students, and to any prospective/future applicants reading this post.
[ b]Objective:**
SAT I (breakdown):2010(M:720 CR:620 W:670)
ACT (breakdown):didn’t take
SAT II (place score in parentheses): 720 Chem, 700 Math
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1
AP (place score in parentheses):all 4s and 5s
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load:All aps
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
[ b]Subjective:**
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses):Varsity Sports, after school math tutor, debate team. Did my own research on underwater “electroactive material” in the mechanical engineering lab at NYU.
Job/Work Experience:: 2 paid internships at NYU(very big)
Volunteer/Community Service:
Summer Activities:Intel science paper
Essays: good
Teacher Recommendations: very good
Counselor Rec. Excellent
Additional Rec. NYU Professor(very good)
Interview: nice
[ b]Other**
Applied for Financial Aid? Yes
Projected Concentration:
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender:M
Income Bracket:<50000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
[ b]Reflection**
Strengths: very focused, and like to innovate
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Would’ve been something special
Where else you are applying or have already applied: Columbia, Upenn, Princeton, NYU, MIT, Cornell, Stony Brook,
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: Still in shock…