Should I Even Apply?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Harvard-chances?! </p>

<p>Hello, is there anybody out there who thinks that he/she is able to correctly assess the chances of an international student at HARVARD, YALE, STANFORD, PRINCETON and DARTMOUTH? If yes, I would like you to write down your judgment. As an international student I absolutely don’t know how I compare to my American (and other international peers). Therefore, I depend on your opinion in evaluating my chances of admission at the above schools.
Here are my stats:</p>

<p>-German-Romanian student, 17 years old, attending 13th grade in a prestigious German high school, taking the “Abitur exam” next year (On the internet, the schools mentioned above state that applicants with outstanding results on the Abitur exam qualify for full Advanced Standing or the completion of a master’s degree in only four years)</p>

<ul>
<li>Test scores: SAT II German with Listening: 800 (99th percentile)
SAT II Latin: 800 (99th percentile)
SAT II Math IC: 770 (99th percentile)
ACT composite: 32 or above (my practice test scores)
TOEFL: 660 (out of 677 on the paper test)
-GPA: Weighed 1.0 (with 1.0 being the highest and 6.0 being the worst possible GPA)</li>
<li>most demanding course load taken</li>
<li>I skipped 1.5 years of high school and all the courses taken in this period of time</li>
</ul>

<p>ACADEMIC HONORS/AWARDS:

  • Many awards for being the best maths/physics/biology/history/French/Latin/German/chemistry student in class (about 12 awards)
  • Best student in class (overall rating) award: 9-13
  • State Math Award, State Latin Award (both 1st prize)
  • 2nd prize on the very prestigious “National Latin Language Competition” out of several thousand contenders from all over Germany and Europe
  • Admission to the “German Pupils’ Academy”, the highest possible academic honor for German secondary school students; from 11 countries of the European Union only 90 are selected to attend this program mentored by university professors
  • Recommendation to the “National Academic Merit Foundation”, the most recognized academic foundation in Germany (includes several Presidents, Nobel Prize winners, entrepreneurs, bishops etc.); if admitted (which is quite probable as the recommendation for admission is the actual hurdle) I would be one of the youngest students ever admitted to this famous foundation
  • My two passions: LAW and LATIN
  • I began studying “International Economic Law” at a German University in 10th grade, so that I could complete my bachelor of laws-degree in just another 1.5 years; I took the same amount of courses like “normal” students who do not attend high school
  • “National Honor of youngest German student attending law school”
  • I can speak six languages fluently (German, English, French, Romanian, Latin[Although it is quite difficult, I am able to speak Latin.], Hungarian)
  • I have published articles and research papers about Cicero’s “De re publica”, about Vergil, about “Romanian Cartel Law” and about “Practical Manifestation and Theoretical Legitimation of guaranteed human rights in the Federal Republic of German 1949-1999) in various German and Romanian journals
  • My teachers and my college counselor all place me in the “One of the top few encountered in my career”-category
  • In Romania, I work together with a few lawyers for a organization that supports needy pensioneers who were expropriated under communistic rule; together with these lawyers I have pursued claims for damages and restitution and have won approximately 75,000 $ for these pensioneers to be paid from the Romanian government as compensation</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:</p>

<ul>
<li>tennis (singles and doubles): won 12 regional, 5 state-level, 2 national-level and 2 international tournaments in youth tournaments</li>
<li>tennis is my major extracurricular activity as it costs me about 20 hours per week; I don’t have many more ECAs</li>
<li>other ECAs: section editor at the school newspaper (state-level award for article on a common European constitution), I have found a Pre-Law Club, a Study Group:Latin Language, I have organized information sessions on HIV, diabetes etc. and was Class President for two years</li>
</ul>

<p>These are my main stats; What do you think? How do you compare to me? What are my chances?
Thanks very much for taking time to read my stuff.</p>

2

<p>Without an SATI score, it's hard to give a very strong opinion, but I like your chances. You show a lot of dedication to law, and the tennis is great.</p>

<p>That's saying a lot for an international applicant. If you lived in America, your odds would be excellent. As it stands, though, I'm no expert on international applicants; all I know is that you guys have it much harder.</p>

<p>Anybody who knows a little more about the international process want to comment?</p>

3

<p>Of course you should apply.</p>

4

<p>I think you should apply, you stand a good chance, but like a lot of others, I'm not too hip on international admissions</p>

5

<p><em>BS/Embelishment Detector Goes Off...then blows up</em></p>

6

<p>Why take the ACT + SAT IIs? Usually, people take either the ACT or SAT I + SAT IIs (or all 3).</p>

7

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I had to take the ACT in addition to three SAT IIs because Harvard, Yale and Princeton all required all applicants to take both the ACT/SAT I AND three different SAT II Subject Tests.
Therefore, I did not really have a choice.
Bye</p>

8

<p>Is that a special requirement for internationals? I know for me it was either (SAT + 3 SAT IIs) OR (ACT). And I didn't think Princeton accepted the ACT... hmm..</p>

9

<p>Well,</p>

<p>I also thought Princeton would not accept the ACT. However, in the application instructions it is said that the ACT can be accepted if all other colleges the applicant is applying to also accept the ACT and the applicant prefers the ACT over the SAT I. However, even then the three SAT IIs are required (at least for internationals).</p>

10

<p>Oh, I didn't even see that ACT score, heh.</p>

<p>Anyway, I think you should try to do a little better than 32. While a 32 isn't low, it is below Harvard's average. That is, unless your score is just due to low English/writing sections.</p>

11

<p>Why wouldn't you apply? You seem very well qualified. Also, the ACT/SAT is only a small part of the pie. A 32 with all the other things you have will be fine.</p>

12

<p>Of course apply. As long as your SAT scores aren't really low for Harvard (1200-), and grades are fairly good, it is easily worth it. I don't know your chances, but as long as they are over 1 or 2%, its worth the application fee and extra effort.</p>

13

<p>just keep in mind, though, that b/c you are german, teh german sat II won't carry much weight</p>

14

<p>How can you fit all That on the application?</p>

15

<p>I really think you're a jerk for taking the german SAT IIs. I've studied german really hard the past 5 years and i got a 750 because people like you who are bred in it take the test and break the curve for hard workers like me</p>