<p>I cannot, realistically, see Harvard (or any ivy league for that matter) accepting me. I'm not an idiot and my test scores are pretty decent, but there are several factors discouraging me from even applying.</p>
<p>First and foremost, I live in a small town, (of about 2,000) and opportunities for success appear scarce. I'm not trying to imply that everyone lives below the poverty line or that gangs keep people hiding under their beds at night; it is what it is- a nice, country town, evoking old, southern values and resembling Mayberry. My school's highest math class was, until a few years ago, Trigonometry, and we only have 3 AP courses at the moment-2 actually, after this year. I am taking several AP courses online and through correspondence, (should have about 10 or 11 once I graduate) but my school's lack of academic opportunities would inevitably hurt my chances of getting accepted into Harvard, wouldn't it? </p>
<p>I have also done my best to become more involved with extracurricular activities; I volunteer at the local library and at the neighboring city's hospital; I participate in Quiz Bowl, Math & Science competitions, and FBLA; I have served on Student Council and have participated in the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership program. (I'm also petitioning to start a Key Club and Recycling Program).</p>
<p>I have tried my best to compensate for my school and town's shortcomings. I've tried to tackle classes and extracurriculars, but from an admissions officer's viewpoint, wouldn't an average white male with standard test scores and extracurriculars from a small southern town be less than impressive in comparison to those who are minorities or who have more rigorous class schedules or more extracurricular opportunities? I would appreciate any feedback indicating whether my chances of being accepted into Harvard warrant my time and effort. Thanks.</p>
<p>Edit: I've only taken the ACT. I took it in April and got a 33 composite with a 10 on the writing, but I was only a sophomore. It should (hopefully) increase if I choose to take it again.</p>
<p>You are exactly what Harvard is looking for.</p>
<p>A kid from a small Southern town w/out a lot of resources, fits their definition of “diversity.” Harvard likes a mix of different types of people with all different backgrounds. You are a self-starter and not only make the most of what is in front of you, but seek out opportunities that are not.</p>
<p>We are also from a small town and our daughter got in, from a pretty substandard high school. She also took online courses, but with nowhere near the kind of acadmeic ambition you are showing. Our son got into another Ivy, and his essay was about how having inadequate resources in your school forces you to be creative.</p>
<p>I would add that you show humility and courtesy in your tone that seem genuine, and that will serve you well, because it is refreshing.</p>
<p>That said, there are no guarantees with admissions anywhere, but you should certainly “bother” applying.</p>
<p>Spend the rest of your high school time being yourself. Don’t try to fit a mold, because there isn’t necessarily a mold to fit, or at least one that can be ascertained.</p>
<p>And look at all kinds of colleges, because you may even find that Harvard or other Ivies are not what YOU want.</p>
<p>I agree 100% with compmom. I can relate with you a bit because I live in small town myself (though not quite as small as yours) where academic opportunities are scarce. Things are different for me because the province mandates that certain courses be taught at all secondary schools, but our course offerings and extracurricular opportunities are limited nonetheless. </p>
<p>I’ve read that UChicago has a penchant for small-town kids, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Harvard did as well, for the reasons cited by compmom.</p>
<p>Dude, are you a ■■■■■? Harvard LOVES people like you. Even if you don’t make it to Harvard, I’d be shocked if you didn’t get into at least one Ivy.</p>
<p>One of my good friends sounds EXACTLY like you–except she only took 1 AP, didn’t do math competitions or Quizbowl, and had a slightly lower test score (32, I think?). She was accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, and a billion LACs.</p>
<p>Vince, your post - in its entirety - would apply to both my daughters who are a rising senior and a rising sophomore at Harvard (except that they’re female and our Southern town’s population is more like 15,000). Having had challenges to surmount from a resource-limited environment may actually be something of an application bonus.</p>
<p>One of my kid’s friends applied to a college that is competitor of Harvard. This student came from a very poor family and a school that is in rural area. She has excelled in her school yet she has not taken any APs. Her interviewer was an alumnus of the other university. In addition, the interviewer attended Harvard Business School after getting an undergrad from the competitor college. The interviewer told her to apply to Harvard as an undergrad and paid for her application fee from his pocket. The student has not taken any AP yet student was first to go to attend college from her family. The girl received full financial aid including air fair to attend harvard. This year the student is graduating from Harvard with a very high GPA.</p>
<p>Hey, that’s not very courteous, stoompy312.</p>
<p>If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all. The whole point of a forum like this is to share information and thoughts with others in a mature manner.</p>
<p>Another thing, I find some of your posts rather confusing (and self-contradicting).</p>