So it’s a month before school starts and I will be going into 9th grade. I know it’s early to even be thinking about colleges but for a school like Harvard, or any school for that matter I know I have to start looking into requirements early on.
My situation:
I am our Freshman team student body vice president.
I am going to be playing junior varsity soccer, and varsity in future years.
I am very fast so I plan on doing sprints for this upcoming track season.
I am taking AP History, and English. (possibly science because the guidance counselor said she would try and get me in, although I don’t know yet)
Next year I plan on doubling up on math to be taking all AP classes.
I have free time on weekends, and want to work on putting a large “spike” in my future applications. My only issue is I really have no idea where or what to get started on. If somebody can help me find a large project to work on, that would be amazing.
I am going to be involved with Future Business Leaders of America, and plan on getting a few state/national rewards from it.
Currently I really don’t do much community service, only because from what I have heard community service isn’t exactly valued much at Ivy leagues only because anybody can do it. (is this true, and do you suggest I do community service?)
How else can I improve my chances? I think for only being a Freshman I am at a good start, I just don’t have any idea where to go from here.
Nobody’s “at a good start” before they have even started ninth grade. You have not yet done any of the things on which you will be evaluated.
Do the extracurriculars you’re planning to do; get all A’s in hard classes; get high test scores when it comes time for that; do community service not because it will get you into college but because it is a GOOD thing to do. Then, senior year, you throw your app at a few Hail-Mary schools and some where you know you will get in. And you see what sticks.
Don’t even enter these forums until you’ve completed sophomore year. That’s when you should probably have taken ACT/SAT’s and will have a couple AP’s under your belt. As the previous commenter said, there is no such thing as a “good start.”
Completely agree with above.
Also, community service is hugely important no matter where you’re applying. And you can never assume that you’re going to win state or national awards before entering high school. Also, how can you be taking all AP’s sophomore year? You’ve got to have some electives or language classes your first two years.
Get a life. Do things that excite you, and stop worrying about Harvard.
Don’t worry yourself about these things now. Start high school, take classes that are challenging & work your butt off to get good grades, do some ECs that you enjoy, and DON’T focus on resume padding. Admissions officers can tell when you’ve spent your high school career resume padding instead of genuinely engaging with your studies, ECs & other pursuits, so why stress yourself out/ruin your teen experience for a pipe dream? Explore your interests, and keep your mind open to a variety of colleges–don’t hyper focus on Harvard. If your reason for wanting to go to Harvard is based on how famous it is/it’s prestige, you have a long way to go.
Forget about Harvard (or just keep it as a distant goal) until you reach your Junior year. Kill the SAT/ACT, then come back to the forum for Harvard advice. Honestly, you don’t even have a high school GPA yet and you’re thinking about Harvard chances? WHAT. For all we know your obsession could ultimately stress you out and leave you with a subpar GPA. Focus in school and take the most rigorous course load possible.
Honestly, I don’t think that you should be too concerned about this at this point in your life. You are a freshman! Enjoy the early years of high school when you still have time to socialize because the classes are easy! Don’t stress out over this because even if you get near perfect test scores, have a 4.0 unweighted, and win national or state awards you are still not guaranteed a spot at Harvard. Harvard is a crapshoot for everyone, so just do your best, and roll the dice at the admission process and you may get a pleasant surprise! (If you have time please chance me back on my thread)
Unreasonable to ask to chance before you even step foot in high school. The only way to properly chance is until junior year. Also, dont worry about college now. Find interests and challenge yourself academically early to gauge your level of preparedness.
Why are kids this old even concerned whether or not they’ll get into Harvard… Just find what you love to do. At your age, I was convinced I wanted to be a doctor and to go to a school like WashU or John Hopkins or even Harvard. After finding out that being a doctor was not for me (you know, by scoping out my interests and using the majority of my high school time like I should have), I completely dropped those dreams in place of new ones. Don’t be concerned about this now. The most I can tell you is find what you love to do and excel in it. Who knows? Maybe you will be Harvard material one day. But until then, just take life one step at a time. Have fun in high school!