Should I bother to apply?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>I already applied to my other schools. I've always been drawn to Harvard, as have many students. I want to apply, but I'd be too embarrassed to go to my recommenders and ask for Harvard. I have a 3.5 UW and 3.9 W (not many APs offered at my school, but I take what there is). My odds are very slim, but you don't know without trying, right? My ECs are strong, too. Writing is my strength. I scored an 11 on the ACT writing and am in the process of publishing a 100k word novel. This is what I'd focus on, but still, should I even bother?</p>

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<p>@AgPrincess‌ , you know the odds are against you. I assume that you’ve applied to a range of schools, from safeties (financial and academic) to matches to reaches. I am reluctant to chance anyone, and my first intention was to say that as long as you have Plans A through C well covered, throw in an application if it’s not financially burdensome and if you won’t be bummed by the likely rejection. </p>

<p>Then, however, I saw that you’d be embarrassed to ask your recommenders. Well, if you don’t believe that your recommenders believe you should be applying, why would an Adcom believe you should be accepted. </p>

<p>Whatever happens, and it likely will not include Harvard, good luck and I’m sure that you will have a vibrant college experience. </p>

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<p>

A 3.5 unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale translates to an 87.5 GPA on a 1-100 scale. At my son and daughter’s school, no student has been accepted to Harvard in the last 15 years with an unweighted GPA of 93 or less – and that includes recruited athletes, legacies and URM’s. Does your school have Naviance? If so, I would check the data before spending the money on your application. </p>

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<p>@IxnayBob‌ don’t know what my recommenders would say. They might be all for it! But I am afraid to ask just because I know the odds are against me. I have safety, level, and reach schools I’m happy with, a few of which I’ve already been accepted, but there’s just always that ‘what if’.</p>

<p>@gibby‌ Nope. I don’t even know what Naviance is haha. </p>

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<p>@AgPrincess – process of publishing, as in self-publishing or with a mainstream/major publishing house (Harper Collins, etc.)? If it’s the latter, then yes, definitely apply. That’s a big deal. </p>

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<p>I don’t do chances but I thought I’d tell you that getting an 11 out of 12 on the ACT essay is not a very impressive accomplishment for Harvard. Getting published by a major house is though. What are your test scores? The RD acceptance rate will be around 3%, so the odds are pretty slim even for the best and the brightest. However, if it is something that will always nag you if you don’t apply, then by all means, give it a shot.</p>

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<p>@picozippy‌ major house, but it’s still a process. It’s hard to say when it’ll actually be published, but probably after the application due date, which is really unfortunate :-<</p>

<p>@Falcon1 My ACT is a 28, my SAT is a 1900… Like I said, my chances are very slim. Trust me, I know. It’s just the ‘what if’ I guess. My book would make me a better candidate, though, but it’s a race against the clock. </p>

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<p>If it’s a major house, then you’ve signed a contract and received a partial advance against royalties. For this sort of thing, a contract is as good as publication, and people affiliated with a college will know that: professors get hired and promoted on the basis of a book contract.</p>

<p>If you don’t have a contract and haven’t been paid anything, then it is not a major house and it’s hard to know how valuable it is as an accomplishment…</p>

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<p>@WasatchWriter‌ Well, like I said, not yet. I have an agent, a well-respected one. But that’s the extent of that. </p>

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<p>

Here’s the issue, as I see it. Even if you scored that publishing deal, your GPA and test scores are still too low for Harvard, as compared to other high school students who have published books, research papers or done other amazing things while still in high school. </p>

<p>In addition to their achievements, probably all of these students had very high GPA’s and test scores. These types of students are your direct competition at places like Harvard. Imagine you are a Harvard Admissions Director, which student do you take? You – with your GPA, test scores and book deal – or one of these students with amazing GPA’s, test scores and their accomplishments?: <a href=“The Most Impressive High School Kids Graduating This Year”>The Most Impressive High School Kids Graduating This Year. </p>

<p>With your GPA, test scores and book deal you would be a shoe-in at any of these colleges, but you might not be the most sought after candidate at ultra selective schools: <a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/a-plus”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/a-plus&lt;/a&gt;. </p>

<p>By all means apply to Harvard, but apply with realistic expectations.</p>

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<p>Another issue you may want to consider: <a href=“Guidance Office: Answers From Harvard's Dean, Part 1 - The New York Times”>http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/harvarddean-part1/&lt;/a&gt;

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<p>The most important part of any applicant’s file is their transcript. Next in importance are your teacher recommendations. Admissions Officers rely heavily on their high school colleagues to give them an honest and accurate picture of an applicant. What will your teachers say about you? </p>

<p>May I suggest that you have a discussion with your recommendation writers to see if they would enthusiastically recommend you to Harvard. That seems like a huge issue as well – and not just for Harvard, but other ultra-selective colleges as well: <a href=“Marymount California University's Admission Blog: When Recommendations Attack! (The Worst Letter of Recommendation We've Ever Seen)”>http://marymountcollegeadmissionblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/when-recommendations-attack-worst.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>@gibby I know my chances are slim. I am more than aware of that. It’s not that my recommenders wouldn’t support me–I have excellent ones–it’s just that… it’s Harvard. I’m a 3.5 UW student applying to Harvard? I’d laugh at myself, too. I guess what I kick myself for and always will is I probably could’ve gotten a 4.0 or close to it. I was just so unmotivated freshman and sophomore year. I’m just now getting it together, which I should’ve done a long time ago because for the college app process, it’s too late. A 3.5 is a 3.5.</p>