Should I apply? In desperate need of opinions!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>It never crossed my mind to apply to Harvard simply because I never thought that I could get accepted. Recently, however, I was discussing academics with some of my friends and they were all encouraging me to apply. I would love to get into this school, but I also don't want to waste time and money. That is why I'm going to ask for objective and honest opinions. In the case that you guys do think I have a chance, I'll probably apply and will put my maximum effort into my application and essays. So here are my stats:</p>

<p>SAT:2200 on my third single sitting (720 Reading - 690 Math - 790 Writing); 2250 superscore
SAT Subject: 710 Biology, 670 Literature (will be retaking both), and 800s on Spanish ones
ACT: 33 first and only sitting
GPA: 4.0 unweighted, 6.0 weighted
AP: Psychology (5), English Lit. (4), Comparative Gov. (5), U.S. Gov. (5), Spanish Lang. (5)
Senior year course load: APUSH, AP English Language, AP Calculus, etc.
Awards: AP scholar with distinction, POSSE finalist (i decided not to go on to last round), misc. stuff</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
- NHS President (Started senior-junior mentoring project for school)
- Math Club VP
- Volunteer at nursing home for two years
- Volunteer at hospital currently
- Women of tomorrow member for three years
- Spanish honor society member and mentor
- Cofounder and tutor for school's SAT Prep club
- Misc. stuff from freshman year. </p>

<p>Summer Activities:
- summer before junior year at the University of Puerto Rico hospital rotating the radiology residents
- summer before senior year taking Chemistry (+ lab), Statistics, and Astronomy at community college</p>

<p>Recommendations:
- From gov. teacher (good but not great)
- From microbiology lab teacher (should be great because she knows how dedicated I am. I'm the only high school student in her class which is from I 5-8pm every thur.)</p>

<p>Extra stuff that I think could help:
I know that for example my APs are not the impressive but: I did 9th grade in a private school in PR that didn't offer any honors or AP classes. I decided to move back to the mainland U.S. away from my mom to live with my grandma because my parents could not afford to pay for a private school in PR that did offer those classes. I did tenth grade at a traditional high school. Then, because I wanted to make up for the lack of difficult classes in my freshman year, I transferred to a very competitive school in junior year. My school sent at least eight kids from my campus (there are multiple) to top tier schools last year (out of a graduating class of approx. 50 in said campus). However, it is a full time dual enrollment school so the administration doesn't let you pick how many or which APs to take. So I'll pretty much have taken all the APs the school offers before I graduate. Oh I should mention that I will have earned my AA before I graduate high school (with approx. 70 college credits from a local community college). I don't know if this will impress the admissions committee at all though. Oh and I take classes evey day except sunday: I have a biology lab on Saturday mornings and a microbio lab on thursdays until very late in the evening.
I'm definitely a very hardworking person. I mean I decided to move away from my parents because I knew that it would be beneficial to my education. I guess this gives me something to write about in college essays. Also, the fact that I have moved high schools so much might help explain my lack of extracurriculars.<br>
Very important: I am hispanic and a first generation student in the U.S. However, I am Cuban and I've read in a couple of places that Cuban's might as well not list themselves as hispanic because they are not considered a URM. Is this true?
Please give me some advice. I don't care if it's cruel I just want honesty.</p>

2

<p>Your stats are in the middle of Harvard’s range, and you are Cuban, which makes you a hispanic URM, so you should definitely apply. That said, you should read: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1420290-chance-threads-please-read-before-posting-one.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1420290-chance-threads-please-read-before-posting-one.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Thank you for responding :slight_smile: I guess I realize that the decision ultimately lies with me and that nobody’s opinion should ever change that. I really do need some feedback though seeing as in my home environment I keep hearing so many different things.</p>

4

<p>I would encourage you to apply. You have very strong academics, you have some impressive extra curriculars, and you’re college credits are a great hook. Colleges, especially ones like Harvard, aren’t looking for students that have nothing but A’s and a 4.0. They want a diversity of ideas and backgrounds and stories and plans and passions. You stand a better chance than a valedictorian who knows nothing other than studies and has no involvement in the community like working at a hospital or has taken no measures to begin pursuing life, such as working a lab like you. You should apply, I think you have as good a chance as most and Harvard is the perfect first step for whatever you want to do in life. I would say that it is better to try and maybe not get in than leave an opportunity unexplored. Best of luck when you apply</p>

5

<p>I’ll take what you said into consideration and thanks for responding btw</p>

6

<p>The two reasons why one shouldn’t apply:</p>

<p>1) unrealistic candidate: granted with under 7% accept, no one is likely but at least you’re viable and a realistic candidate</p>

<p>2) one doesn’t want to go there. You do. </p>

<p>So the question is do you want to go through the rigors of applying (which, admittedly, isn’t easy). I think given your scenario, I’d encourage you to apply.</p>