Should I even apply?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

Hi,

Do you think it’s worth it for me to apply to Harvard?

I’m a 16 year old guy, currently a junior in high school majoring in Physics and Chemistry, I live in a small town in the lower Galilee in Israel (I’m an Arab Israeli, which is considered a minority). My grades are excellent, my GPA is 97%. I still haven’t done the SAT yet, but I’m planning to do it in October.

I’m part of two programs,

The first one is called MEET-Middle east entrepreneurs of tomorrow, it’s a program that brings together both Arabs and Jews for the course of three summer programs and two year longs in order to make a positive change through technology, in the program we study both computer science and entrepreneurship skills. During the summer we are taught by either students or graduates from MIT, and the program as a whole is in partnership with MIT. When I applied there were about 1000 applicants, 70 were chosen after a rigorous application process (Exam then a teamwork skills “exam” with other applicants, and finally an essay and an interview). from the 70 there are currently less than 50 students in the program (In my year). In order to get to the program’s hub during the yearlong I take a 3 hour bus ride (Coming and going back home).

The second one is called the “Nir school of the heart”, this one also joins Israelis and Palestinians and also some Jordanians in four 8 day meetings throughout 2 years, but this program focuses more on medicine and science, specifically the heart. We are taught by a doctor that teaches at Brown university. Upon completion of the program the students’ achievements are accredited with an official diploma jointly issued by the NIR School and the Harvard-MIT Biomedical Engineering Center.

I haven’t done much volunteering, but, I did 60 hours of teaching and helping in an after school club for elementary school children who find difficulties in understanding given materials and solving homework.
I’m also planning to start a small project along with some people in my high school in which we tutor people who have financial difficulties and can’t afford professional tutoring.

2

Well just make sure that you research other schools as well and be sure to not get caught in the thought “I apply for Harvard because of the name”. Do what you love and want to do, seriously that shows a lot. Be sure to know why and how Harvard sticks out for you. It’s hard to find those small details but if you look hard enough, you’ll find it

3

Wow, I’m an Arab Israeli too. And I also graduated from MEET last summer!! What a crazy coincidence.
Your achievements are good, and MEET will definitely help us a lot with the personal essay. I recommend you to get a teacher recommendation from one of the instructors at MEET. I got one from somebody who’e an MIT graduate and the finance manager at Google! so it’ll be a big boost. Also focus on MEET’s mission and how you’re willing to be a part of it by achieving coexistence and cooperating with the other nationality unlike people of our society.
I also think that the admission committee will definitely pay attention to our locations and our nationalities since almost nobody from our community applies there at all. They’ll appreciate you’re taking challenges and doing something different to influence your society. Good Luck!