<p>So how much does Harvard value GPA/Class rank?
Is it a yes-no decision, or is it simply something that buttresses your application?</p>
<p>Also, when they look at class rank, do they look at percentiles, or the actual ranks?</p>
<p>Finally, are the standardized tests more important, or grades more important?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>They are both very important. People here will say that ECs are incredibly important, just as much as grades, blahblahblah. That's basically a huge lie. Harvard is more EC-focused than some other super-selective schools, but it really is largely about the grades, and how compelling you are as a person. We send several people to Harvard every year. When you look at the Scattergram, there are basically no outliers: all non-recruits are in the top-right corner, period. Do all these people coincidentally have the best ECs? I don't think so (well, I know that they don't). They have excellent grades, excellent scores, and intellectual vitality (and good character). They are incredibly intelligent, and showed the adcoms they would contribute in some way to the campus outside of the classroom.</p>
<p>In the scattergrams I've seen, all the people accepted by Harvard are in the top right-hand corner, but lots more people who were rejected by Harvard are also in the top right-had corner. In general, great grades, a high class rank, and great test scores are nearly necessary (some are admitted without them), but not anywhere near sufficient.</p>
<p>I would add that in the schools my children attended, the successful Harvard applicants did not always have the highest class rank (a few did, most didn't).</p>
<p>GPA and class rank are very important. They'll use what info they have, if it's an exact rank or a percentile. In our school the year my older son graduated there were two people accepted. They were #1 and #8. #3 was waitlisted. My son was #8 and he had the advantage of being a legacy and someone with an extremely strong passion in an area where Harvard is trying to expand. Looking at the scattergrams virtually no one is accepted below a certain level. (The scattergram is no longer up - but my recollection is that it was about a 98 weighted GPA and 1400/1600 SAT) Above that level about half the applicants from our school were admitted. Every school will have slightly different scattergrams, but I think from a large comprehensive school like ours the minimum is a rank in the top 2% and SATs over 2100/2400 unless you have a very compelling hook. Keep in mind too that many of those kids in the top right hand corner are Intel winners, Davidson Scholars, Presidential Scholars and the like.</p>
<p>At my school, I rank 20/415, which is barely above the 5% percentile. I got a 2400 on my SAT, and two 800's so far on my SATII's, but I'm sure Harvard gets too many of those every year. My EC's are only above-average (officers of several clubs, including NHS, founded several clubs, did several large fundraisers, etc.; I've won few state-academic awards and some music awards on the state level), so does that mean that my chances to Harvard are very low?</p>
<p>No. More info on your rank is needed, e.g. strength of school, UW v. W, etc. to make a determination. Your stats are obviously excellent (go people with 2400s and 800 SATIIs!). You have shown that you do stuff outside the classroom. Use recs, the essays, and the interview to show that you have a compelling personality and will be a ball of contributing energy on campus, and I would say you have a great shot.</p>
<p>Your grades are a bit low, as you state. Freshman grades aren't as important, etc. so it just depends on your personal circumstance.</p>
<p>I'd be shocked if you didn't get into at least one of the ivy's for sure- as long as your recs support what you said here and you take the time to and present a strong application. Great job!</p>