<p>Hi everyone!</p>
<p>I am very much interested in applying to Harvard next year as a junior mostly because my school is severely lacking in terms of resources. I will finish all classes that interest me (core classes, math and science stuff) AP and all by the end of my junior year. I will have done Bio, Chem (finished already), Math (finished Calc), Physics and English and foreign language. My school has no dual enrollment program, very few APs and no labs/equipment for further study. I can not enroll in a local university without graduating from HS and enrolling as a full time student, which I frankly am not interested in doing. Online classes are socially isolating, especially in a small school like mine, and teaching everything to myself is difficult and tiresome. </p>
<p>I was wondering if Harvard would discriminate against me because of my age? I've read some places that Yale doesn't admit students that won't be 17 by Freshman year. At the same time, I know some Universities like Caltech don't really care about this, though. For the record, I'll turn 17 in freshman year, if that makes any difference. </p>
<p>I have a few other concerns too:
I abruptly moved from a place in the states to a different country in one week. This was the product of many family problems (One parent lived there, other parent was stressed and overwhelmed and lashed out to me and so on). I think both my parent and I suffered from depression and the constant tension/fighting that took place in our house and that reflected in my last 2 quarter grades and final exam when it was at its height. Because of this, I received 2 B+s; one in French, and one in Algebra 2 Honours.
Here, I earned a 95% in my Calculus AB class that I took last semester and expect to perform equally well in my BC calculus class this term. The french class I took in the states was extremely rigorous (grade 12 level in my current country) and while it's never been my best subject, I anticipate doing better now, since I'm in a more stable condition. Additionally, I supplement my classwork a lot, so my French is bound to improve.</p>
<p>I was wondering how Harvard and other American colleges would receive that? I did my best in trying circumstances and feel that I grew up significantly in the experience. It was stressful for all of our family and now, that we're all together, thing have improved greatly. Also, this is slightly random, but I think Harvard considers the country where I moved to (and will become a citizen of) as domestic applicants. </p>
<p>Finally: this is sort of petty, but where i live, provincial exams count for half of our grade. This can be rather frustrating. I got a 92 in senior year level Chemistry (no AP offered) with a teacher that absolutely delighted in grade deflation/pop quizzes for the class, but fell ill the day before the exam. I did ok on it, an 88, which made my course average an alright 90. I'm not a bad student in chemistry and really enjoy studying the subject, so much so that I'm teaching myself AP chemistry and tutor other kids in it. I also won an award from the American Chemical Society for Chemistry last year.
I do have the option to retake the exam though, but am hesitant because writing a 3 hour test in August doesn't seem too fun. I was wondering if you guys would recommend I retake it or if you think the colleges I'm interested in (namely H) would be ok with a 90. </p>
<p>I did well in my other classes and have an average of 94.5 for last semester and a 95 overall when my new school tried to equate classes from my old school and add them to my transcript. </p>
<p>Other information:
My ECs prior to moving:
FBLA- 2 state level awards for it, qualified for nationals twice but couldn't go due to monetary reasons. Would've been a state officer had i stayed :(.
Newspaper- My state press association recognized my writing and I got an honourable mention for a story. I was also named to newspaper staff.
Model UN- Award at a large conference as a freshman.
Chemistry- award from the ACS.
Science Olympiad: a few regional medals, meh :-/.
Research Internship over the summer: Worked with grad students, read pubs, did small projects, attended meetings, really got a taste of what it was like to be in a lab. ~200 Hours
Hospital Volunteering..blah. ~50 hours. Was really boring but I got an insight on what it's like to be a doctor.</p>
<p>Current ECs at my new school:
In the new country, there aren't the same groups/organization, so I do less clubs here, since most of them don't interest me much.
Speech Club- huge learning experience, helped me grow a lot :D. Won 1 silver medal at a citywide tournament.
Debate- season's not over, but I really love this club.
Research: I read publications and designed my own project with the help of a Prof. I work on it after school and am mentored by a graduate student. I wrote a proposal for this and have made it to the final round for the national ISEF team selection. I'm preparing a report and presentation for this; hopefully I get in! :D (Dream!!)</p>
<p>Tests/Recs: Haven't taken any yet-am planning on doing it in May/June since international dates are lame. I am making an effort to get to know all my teachers/counselor so hopefully everything will work out. </p>
<p>Do you guys have any advice/suggestions for me? I really appreciate CC and this subforum for all the helpful advice there is, but mostly lurk here.
I am pretty sure I want to go ahead and apply next year, so I would be very grateful for any advice you may, seeing that my parents went to college in different countries.</p>
<p>Thank you so much! :)</p>