Should I apply to Harvard Early Action?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I really like the school but it was really between Harvard, Yale, and Princeton for where I will apply early. I would like to go to the one that gives me the best chance so I don't have to worry as much in the RD rounds. Do I have a good shot or should i apply elsewhere?</p>

<p>Statistics:
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Sitting 1: CR=690, M=780, W=780 (E=10)
Sitting 2: CR=750, M=740, W=670 (E=11)
Superscore: CR=750, M=780, W=780 (2320)
ACT: none
SAT II:
Freshman yr: 690 Bio M
Soph yr: 740 chem, 740 world history
Junior yr: 800 Math II, 800 USH, 780 Bio M
Unweighted GPA: 95.8
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 3%; I go to a very competitive specialized high school in NY (bronx science)
AP (place score in parenthesis): world history (5)
also took English Composition, Biology, and US History this year
IB (place score in parenthesis): none
Senior Year Course Load: AP spanish, AP Comparative Government, AP Chem, AP Calculus AB, AP Lit, Post-AP Biology, Math and Bio Research
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Gold Medal at a Math fair, possible Intel semi-finalist, national merit scholarship semi-finalist, ap scholar</p>

<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Bio Journal (Editor), Lector and Alter Server at local church, Volunteer at Learn to Swim Program the last 6 years, Debate Team (2 yrs), Big Sib homeroom leader, random acts of kindness club (4 years), red cross club (2 years), editor of Exposition social science magazine, member of Math Bulletin.
Job/Work Experience: Intern at Memorial Sloan-Kettering the last 2 years.
Summer Activities: Internship, researching for intel project
Essays: working with a professional
Teacher Recommendation: English--should be very good
Bio Research--also has potential
Counselor Rec: I think it will be good.
Additional Rec: Probably from my Msgr in the church or my Intel Mentor</p>

<p>State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large Public ~5800 students
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 100-120k+, no FA is all i know really
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation college (none of my parents went to school, they are immigrants to this country)</p>

<p>Please help me with
Reflection
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
And which school I should choose for REA!! I'd like to apply to the one I have the best chance of getting into.</p>

<p>I am currently a senior who will likely choose a science (biology) major.</p>

<p>THANK YOU!!</p>

2

<p>Since they all have miniscule accept rates, your choosing them based on “best chance of EA acceptance” is statistically worthless. Unless you’re a legacy at one of the you should therefore apply to the one you’d most like to attend.</p>

3

<p>You should apply SCEA to the school you like the best and apply to the other two RD.</p>

<p>Admission to Harvard, Yale, and Princeton is a reach for everyone. Some students, with solid stats like yours, who apply to all three schools are accepted by one, but not the other two. So, it’s very difficult to predict where you might have the best chance because the admissions process is tremendously subjective.</p>

<p>That said, several years back Yale purchased an entire scientific research facility from Bayer Pharmaceutical and have designated it as “West Campus”: [Yale</a> University | West Campus](<a href=“Welcome | Yale West Campus”>Welcome | Yale West Campus). </p>

<p>Over the past several years, Yale has been targeting students interested in science to fill their new campus:
[Part</a> 1 of 2: University targets science students | Yale Daily News](<a href=“http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2010/jan/25/part-1-of-2-university-targets-science-students/]Part”>http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2010/jan/25/part-1-of-2-university-targets-science-students/)
[Admissions</a> strategy touts science resources | Yale Daily News](<a href=“http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2007/dec/12/admissions-strategy-touts-science-resources/]Admissions”>http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2007/dec/12/admissions-strategy-touts-science-resources/)
[Science</a> recruits invited to Yale | Yale Daily News](<a href=“http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2011/jan/27/science-recruits-invited-to-yale/]Science”>http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2011/jan/27/science-recruits-invited-to-yale/)</p>

4

<p>thats interesting gibby. do you think i would have a better shot at yale since i strongly emphasize science in my application? Are they still recruiting for science in the upcoming year? Thank you</p>

5

<p>Yes, Yale is still actively recruting students interested in science, so you might have an increased chance there.</p>

6

<p>Yale is EA too, so thats always nice.</p>

7

<p>Apply to the school you really want to attend. </p>

<p>BTW-You will still get FA at Harvard. Run the financial aid calculator and you will be amazed at the amount. Harvard has a very generous financial aid package for the middle class.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>