I’m a Junior in the IB Diploma Programme. My GPA is a 2.3 unweighted, 3.4 weighted, and I’m planning on doing a lot better in school until college apps. I haven’t taken my SAT or ACT yet due to outside circumstances, but I have been studying and preparing for both in the interim. I have tons of ECs- I volunteer at an elementary school, I give art lessons to my peers for CAS, I’m Treasurer of my school’s GSA (And aspire to be president next year). I have been told I am a great writer- my uncle is a local artist and whenever he enters any sort of competition I typically write his entrance statements. Art is my passion; I have been drawing since Kindergarten and I am entirely self taught. I also have a very deep passion for literature and writing. I am planning on writing submissions to Teen Lit magazines and the like, and hope to send in a submission to 33 1/3’s “Under 22 Open Call”.
I come from a very difficult and strange background. Not to give a generic “woe is me” story, but my parents are both emotionally and verbally abusive (physical on occasions; recently CPS was called to my home), and should have been divorced since I was 8 but somehow stayed together. I’m transgender and my family is unsupportive and outright transphobic and abusive regarding my identity. I hardly have opportunities for anything- music lessons, art lessons, or even volunteering at any sort of facility because my parents are incredibly controlling. I am very, very lower middle class. Neither of my parents completed college, but are both in the process of going back to school right now. My mom forced me to complete one of her online classes for her, though, and she has (well, I have) received stellar marks in said class. I have ADHD, depression, and Aspergers, but have received no treatment for either because my mother is of the belief that therapy isn’t necessary unless someone “has a problem” and she feels I don’t, and she also doesn’t believe in medication. I feel like if I did mention my background I could get some leeway, but at the same time, hardship should not affect my performance in school. Many of my teachers who aren’t aware of my background have called me the “stereotypical smart but lazy” student. I disagree with that phrase; if I’m lazy, how smart can I really be? Still, I realize I’m not living up to my full potential and plan to drop everything that doesn’t matter and focus on doing perfectly (or as perfect as I can).
Harvard has been my dream school since about the 5th grade. I stopped considering it when I got to Freshman year and allowed my defeatist attitude to take over, but after looking at colleges now and considering all the various art schools, I realize I could be doing much better than I am and feel the need to prove it. I feel Harvard would provide the best education for my specific needs; the students and teachers are passionate, the academic resources are unlimited, the experience is extraordinarily unique and your motivations and dreams are acknowledged and respected.
Should I even bother applying next year? I know my grades and ECs could be much better (and I do plan on improving them!), I’m just wondering if I have enough time to improve myself before college apps come around the corner, or if I’m screwed entirely.
Honestly if you look at harvards common data set I don’t think they accept anyone with that low of a GPA, even recruited athletes. Not saying that your dream is over though. Try to do really really well on your SATs, get into a decent school, improve your grades and then try to transfer. I don’t think you have a chance as a freshman applicant.
Why has Harvard been a dream since 5th grade? There is no good reason to fixate on Harvard. There are many, many great schools out there. Go to the library if you can and read some college guides, or Loren Pope’s books “Colleges that Change Lives” and “Looking Beyond the Ivies.” No offense but when people come on here saying Harvard has been their dream for years, my reaction is that they maybe don’t yet know enough about other colleges. Good luck!
@compmom
Small class sizes and a unique learning experience, basically. I know that can be found at virtually an infinite amount of other schools, but Harvard seems to be the big brand name for that specific set of expectations.
Thank you for the reading suggestions! All I have heard about prior to now was the Fiske guides.
@anddespair : That’s just not really specific enough. Despite all colleges will look similar they do have several differences that separate them apart. When you say small class sizes and a unique learning experience, it is plain wrong. I think you should do more researches. Harvard has lots of and tends to favor lecture-based classes and tend to not focus a whole lot on the undergraduate experience. If you were to apply to Harvard and an interviewer ask you “Why Harvard?” and you answer like that, it will be very very bad. Else, you are applying for Harvard just for the name only which is also bad. I don’t want to come off as rude, but that’s my interpretation. When you love that school, you need to know the specifics of why you would FIT into that school.
These qualities are found at literally DOZENS of schools. You need to get over your harvard worship and start expanding your slate of schools to consider.
It’s quite doubtful with your grades, although you don’t have test scores. The more important thing though is that Harvard would be extremely stressful for someone with your ongoing family issues and difficulties, due to it’s hyper competitive nature. Why put yourself in that environment when many many colleges will allow you to be successful in your life, which is only really beginning. You say you have Aspergers and one aspect of that personality is sometimes an excessive focus on one thing, often something not very realistic. You would be much better served to go to a college where your grades and eventual test scores put you with other good students of your similar capabilities, and you will have an opportunity to shine. You can be successful with a degree from any college, if you apply yourself. Make sure you consider signing up with the office of disabilities when you start college as you may qualify for more time to take tests due to Aspergers. Try to find counseling and friendship support, and seek advice from your teachers if you have a chance to talk to them. I think you will do great, good luck!
Harvard is probably the greatest university in the world, but that’s completely irrelevant to any individual student. Harvard’s reputation is based on offering hundreds of thousands of opportunities for education and engagement, at all different levels and in many different fields, but no individual student can take advantage of more than five or six of those. It has a great concentration of amazing students . . . none of whom has more than 8-10 close friends (and often much fewer than that).
Meanwhile, you can go to practically any college in the country and find passionate teachers and students who respect you as a person, and five or six really wonderful opportunities to learn or to do something great, and 8-10 amazing friends. Apart from the brand name, you can make almost any college into Harvard for you, if you seek out what’s most inspiring and valuable where you are.
You don’t have much of a chance at Harvard. I’m sure that seems unfair, but it has very little to do with your gender identity, your class background, your parents’ issues, or your own self-destructiveness. If you were rich and life was easy and you had done everything right, you still wouldn’t have a great chance at Harvard, because hardly anyone does. All that other stuff has just made it a little harder. You should still keep trying to do what you want, but not because it will get you into Harvard, at least not as an undergraduate. You should do it because it will make you happier, more excited about your life, more engaged, and smarter. And if you keep on that path, you will have no problem creating an amazing college experience for yourself that will launch you into the kind of life you want for yourself.
That’s your real dream. Not Harvard. Harvard is a just label you have slapped on it.
By the way, there’s nothing wrong with “considering” Harvard, or even applying there. You have already been considering it, obviously. But the thing is, considering Harvard doesn’t actually take much work. It has a great reputation, great history, great location, and oodles of money. What’s not to like?
Just don’t let considering Harvard stop you from doing the much more demanding work of considering some other colleges where you are likely to be accepted and which you will be able to afford, and that will give you the best chance of thriving. That’s a challenge worthy of someone who’s worthy of Harvard.
Just to repeat, Harvard generally does not have a lot of small classes: there are a lot of large lecture classes that then break down into sections for discussion, led by grad students. I agree that a small liberal arts college would be a good idea for you to look into. Again, Loren Pope’s books will help you. I would add that “Colleges that Change Lives” is not only a book but a website and series of national fairs. “Looking Beyond the Ivy League,” also by Pope is less well-known but has tons of information on colleges.
ps Ironically many humanities classes at UMass Boston are small and taught directly by the professor. The classes there tend to be interactive and the teaching quite excellent. If you like Cambridge, check out Lesley University.
You still have a maybe 75% of this semester to go. REALLY hunker down on your studies and reach out to your teachers for help. You seem to really need a support figure. It’s crucial that you get some help in school at a time during which you can somewhat change your GPA. I wish I reached out instead of thinking that it would be embarrassing to get help from others and reach out to the people in my life for advice. As of now, your chances are very slim, even people with perfect grades and SATs have slim chances. Just fix your grades and do well on your SATs. But the most important thing you can do is look at other schools. I too at one point was obsessed with Harvard. I know so many useless facts about the school. But I had the opportunity to look at another school last week; this opportunity arose because I really expanded my list, and applied. I LOVE that school and it is my top choice. I think you should check out schools like Colorado College that promote block scheduling and focusing on your studies or other liberal arts schools that would have a great support system for you. It’s not your fault that you were dealt this deck or cards in life. You just have to realize that while Harvard is most likely not a possibility in August 2017, it doesn’t mean it’s not a possibly in August 2018 or later. Just try your best now, look at other schools, apply, accept whatever happens, and just move on with your life. It’s wiser said than done, but you can do it. Remember, you live in a nation that has thousands of schools that can provide you with an EXCELLENT education. Do not think you need to attend a school because it’s exclusive and because USNWR says it’s such a great school. Just try your best to use your circumstances to move yourself forward. You have come too far to give up on possibilities and opportunities just because they’re my Harvard.
Frankly, you have no chance for Harvard at all. I wouldn’t even bother thinking about it anymore. I would hesitate to suggest that you even utter such a prestigious university’s name. I would set my hopes much lower than you currently have them, as you are deluding yourself if your think Harvard would accept those stats, no matter the circumstances.