Please Please Please Chance Me!!!!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hi guys!! Aaah, this is my first time using CC and I entered ALL my info before I logged in, so I just lost 20 minutes worth of typing!! Arrrgh. Anyway, this is my 2.0 version of my "chance me" post. What are my chances at getting in EA to Harvard:</p>

<p>Rank: 1/538 (very competitive suburban public Chicago high school)
GPA: 3.9792 (1 B all of high school)
ACT: 34 (retaking it in Sept)
SAT II's: 800 (English), 740 (US), taking math in Oct.
AP's taken: Pysch, Stats, Language, US (all 5's)
Taking now: Euro, BC Calc, Environmental (chemistry wouldn't fit in schedule), Literature</p>

<p>EC's
4 year varsity tennis player, #1 singles freshman year, #2 singles sophomore year, #1 dubs junior and senior year, ranked high within Chicago, captain junior and senior years (but don't want to play for harvard)
newspaper- 3 years, reporter and photographer, copy editor, page editor 2 years, managing editor this year
School has volunteer club, raises $$ and volunteers all year for specific cause, I was on executive board and put in 100+ hours
Prez of club helping kids with disabilities, head coach of athletic team comprised of kids with disabilities, practices weekly
Orchestra, 4 years, started freshman year, moved up to highest orch. sophomore year, taken independent honors option since sophomore year requiring numerous juries + independent projects
Science fair, 4 years, state finalist every year, I'm on the state science fair board</p>

<p>mvp for tennis freshman and junior year
numerous awards from science fairs, most notably best in category in my region AND state (IL) junior year
most improved for orchestra</p>

<p>I want to become a high school chemistry teacher and teach in disadvantaged high schools or junior colleges in order to make a difference in kids' lives, and that's what I wrote my personal statement on. I'm white, middle-class and jewish, so the minority card definitely doesnt apply here =)</p>

<p>My concerns about Harvard:
1) I love being outside/nature and I know Harvard is very urban--is it still nature-y?
2) I'm extremely down to earth, I can't stand snobbery or elitism, is that a HUGE element of Harvard?
3) I have so many other interests besides grades, and I'm worried about spending 4 years with people that are grade-obsessed.</p>

<p>thanks guys so much, any insight/advice would be extremely helpful!!!</p>

2

<p>Noob here (as in not an Harvard student) so take all of this with a grain of salt:</p>

<p>1) I never knew anyone who qualified Harvard as 'urban'. It's probably not THE most green campus in North America but its still very beautiful, spacious and breathable.</p>

<p>2) Hahaha. I went for a guided tour a year ago and in my group, three seperate potential students asked me for my GPA and SAT score. One of them actually took a note of it in her PDA. I'm pretty sure the campus is varied and offers a bit of everything but this is Harvard for Pete's sake. Of course you're going to get your fair share of elitist.</p>

<p>3) It's a valuable concern. Most didn't get there by partying and being merry 24/7.</p>

<p>But I would tell you to worry about all these things AFTER being accepted. You have the academic requirements, meaning that your stats won't keep you out but so do many, if not all, the applicants. Don't apply to a school with its flaws in mind.</p>

<p>Again...grain of salt.</p>

3

<p>I'm a current Harvard student, so I'll answer your questions.</p>

<p>1) Harvard is sort of urbanish in that it is located in the heart of Cambridge. So, being that it is located in the middle of a little city, there is not much wildlife. Of course Harvard's grass is super green and it has a ton of trees, but if you're looking for beautiful wooded areas, then Harvard is a little lacking.</p>

<p>2)Snobbery and elitism are not a huge part of campus. Of course there are those few people who are sort of snobby, but for the most part, everyone is down-to-earth and normal.</p>

<p>3)Not everyone at Harvard is grade-obsessed. Sure, they care about their grades, but they are not going crazy over them (unless they're premed or something). It has been my experience that the students at Harvard are just like everyone else.</p>