<p>Hey,</p>
<p>So, I'm a sophomore at a well-recognized US high school (as in, ranked within top 50 nationally). One of my parents went to Harvard (but I heard legacy doesn't mean much unless it's on both sides of the family). I really want to go to Harvard, not really because one of my parents went there, but because I was inspired to go after reading something known as the "Harvard Book", a book that was given to my "Harvard parent" by the alumni of Harvard. Reading it really inspired me to try my best to go to Harvard.</p>
<p>Of course, I realize admissions at Harvard is much more selective than during my parent's time, but I don't really have a good gauge of how much more.</p>
<p>Here is an estimate of what I think I'll have done by admissions time. I know that Harvard looks for depth in a few core activities, rather than a large variation with little depth. However, I just can't decide what to focus on! I need help. Is it good to become more well-rounded, or should I work harder on what I already have? If so, how?</p>
<p>Anyways, by admissions time, I think I will have at least these:</p>
<p>GPA: 4.0. However, I may get an A- in a future class (or two). Result: 3.95-4.0
SAT: Planning to take them earlier, soph year in order to focus on AP's later. Estimate: at least a 2350.
SAT II: Unknown, I believe >750. Prepping for perfect scores.</p>
<p>AP/IB's:
AP Micro and Macroeconomics
AP Chemistry
IB Literature
AP Calculus BC
IB World History</p>
<p>Extracurrics (Divided by 'focus'):
Debate-
Model UN since grade 10 (Possibly Secretary-General as senior)
JSA since grade 10 (Director of Debate as a junior)
JV Debate team since grade 10 (Varsity as senior)</p>
<p>History-
Got into States level in national history documentary competition (Most likely every year including as a freshman) Hopefully Nationals junior year.</p>
<p>Music-
Concert Band grade 9
Jazz Band since grade 10
Pit Orchestra since grade 10</p>
<p>Business-
~400 hours community service at my local Chamber of Commerce, personally organized at least one holiday event.</p>
<p>Clubs-
2014 Representative of Cancer Club as freshman
Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator for school's Amnesty International chapter (since grade 10)
Member of Break-dance Club and Habitat for Humanity as a freshman. (not like these matter)
Founder and President of Cambodia Club since grade 10
My club (Cambodia Club) will have raised $13,000 in order to build an actual school in Cambodia</p>
<p>Research-
Took Introduction to Cell Biology (grade 10) & Intro to Nanotech (grade 11)
Cell Research since grade 10 (most likely publishing at least 1 paper)
Nanotechnology Research since grade 11 (most likely publishing at least 1 paper)
Took Introduction to Microscopy (Can use electron microscopes)</p>
<p>'Sport'-
JV Golf as freshman
Varsity Golf since sophmore
Hopefully Golf captain by junior year</p>
<p>So, that's what I should have come admission time, if I work at the pace I am now. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how many awards/positions I can actually win. Looking at how much effort I put into some of these, what's above is essentially a worse-case scenario (except for when I say 'Hopefully'. That means things I'm expecting at a not-worse-case scenario). As you may see, my main concern is that I don't have enough depth to my work.</p>
<p>Please, tell me if you think I should work harder. I feel it is important to get a good amount of sleep each day (~7 hours) and to not overwork (i.e. have a social life, outside of just extracurrics), but I also understand that it takes extreme effort to get into an Ivy, not to mention Harvard.</p>
<p>So, should I be working harder? How? Any help that anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>P.S. If it helps, I plan to major in Business/Finance (ex: International Business) and minor in Political Science. However, I'm just trying out everything as a high schooler to make sure that I'm focusing on what I really like the most. Not sure if that's the right thing to do, but that's a part of who I am...</p>