Stellar GPA, Modest SAT!

Colleges & Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>What are my chances of acceptance? What should I do to improve my application?</p>

<p>Background:</p>

<p>Hispanic
Florida resident</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 7.2 Weighted and 3.96 unweighted (on a scale of 4.0)
Rank: 1/588</p>

<p>AP classes: (Separated by grade level 10th grade to 12th grade)</p>

<p>All A's in...</p>

<p>AP Biology (3)
AP World History (3) </p>

<p>AP English Language (4)
AP U.S History (5)
AP Chemistry (3)
AP Art History (5)
AP Microeconomics (5)</p>

<p>AP Physics (4)
AP Calculus (5)
AP English Literature (4)
AP Spanish Language (4)
AP Macroeconomnics (5)
AP Computer Science A (5)
AP American Government (5)</p>

<p>SAT:</p>

<p>Critical Reading: 650
Math: 680
Writing: 650</p>

<p>SAT II:
(taken in 10th grade)
Biology E: 660
World History: 610</p>

<p>Organizations and clubs:</p>

<p>National Beta Club
Chess Club
Marching Band (only in 9th)
Concert Band (only in 9th)
Church Band
(10th to 12th to continue passion for music even though band in class did not fit schedule)
National Honor Society
Social Studies Honor Society (only 10th)
Mu Alpha Theta (math club)
Jr. Civitan
Key Club
Student Government executive council (10th and 11th)</p>

<p>Leadership:</p>

<p>first chair trumpet concert band section leader (9th)
National Beta Club community service laison (10th and 11th)
National Beta Club President (12th)
Student Government
Church Usher
Mu Alpha Theta Historian</p>

<p>Community Service:</p>

<p>500 Hours
including helping in schools (helping teachers setup and the office prepare for the new year), cystic fibrosis walk, care for children in hospital and child care after school. Also afterschool tutor for spanish.</p>

<p>No job
Not a famous school (will college consider the average SAT score for the school is 990?)</p>

<p>Goal: Pre-Med major</p>

<p>WHAT ARE MY CHANCES FOR Harvard UNIVERSITY?</p>

2

<p>I think that your SAT scores (which are only slightly below average for an applicant to Harvard) are balanced quite well with your high GPA and high rank. Also, you can consider that the average SAT of a hispanic student who is accepted is usually a little lower than the average for a non-hispanic student, so this will help you. I can't really comment on the ECs because your list is kind of disorganized. It doesn't really show me how involved you are in these activities.</p>

3

<p>apfreak, to be blunt, what's your family background? Are your parents immigrants? From where? Are you the first in your family to go to college?</p>

4

<p>What about my weak SATII's? Will the Harvard consider that I was in 10th grade that year? The same for the two 3's for the AP exams? </p>

<p>Oh cool you're from NY as well! I was born there (NYC to be exact) and moved to Florida! Still, nothing can compare to awesome NY! Florida is QUITE different in many aspects to say..the least!</p>

5

<p>Immigrants? No, both parents have gone to college and have earned professional degrees...so that won't help me at all!</p>

6

<p>Maybe they'll consider that your 3s in two APs were from 10th grade, but I don't think that they'll cut you slack for having taken the SAT IIs in 10th grade. I took 2 of my SAT IIs in 10th grade and 2 more in 11th grade. The scores were similar.</p>

<p>Edit: I took the World History in 10th grade, too. I think a lot of people do. Especially in NY, where World History is covered in grades 9 to 10. Also, in many schools, students in the honors science track take Biology in 9th grade, so many take the SAT II Bio in 9th.</p>

7

<p>Do you suggest taking them over or taking more test? I know I can get over 700 on the US History test because my teacher was excellent. Deplorably, my AP World teacher was not that good and did not cover over a quarter of the required ap material. WOW you have world history for 2 years!! Anyways, world history is HUGE, but bio is not..should i retake both?? How is my sat ii bio?</p>

8

<p>mmmm.... i'm going to say you're minority status is going to help you, but you really ought to try to raise your SATs...
i'm black, but my GPA and SATs are still competitive with overall applicants, and there will be a lot of other hispanic applicants up there as well.</p>

9

<p>Wait! Are my GPA and AP Classes not competitive with normal applicants? I know my SAT is not but what about classes and grades??</p>

10

<p>Sorry if I confused you. Your GPA and APs are great.
But also keep in mind it's not necessary that you take 50,000 APs... that doesn't get you into Harvard. Just make sure you're keeping yourself challenged.</p>

11

<p>You're absolutely right! While GPA and grades are good, tests are hurt. For example, I had to take five AP tests which I thought was insane to study for even though I think I got a few fives, a four and a three. I think the SAT is the issue! I cannot focus on reviewing or even practicing for the SAT due to intense rigor of my schedule! I will need to practice over the summer! Will my grades compensate in Harvard for my low SAT??</p>

12

<p>To be really honest... I'm not sure... because there are plenty of applicants with your grades AND high SATs...
Just make sure your essays and interview are stellar.</p>

13

<p>calm down, ladies. therea re over 40,000 colleges in th U.S. You'll go to one.</p>

14

<p>Gosh! Geez! ignorance!! ...go do some research...
I especially liked jealous-filled juvenile</p>

15

<p>So you're posting your scores for APs you haven't taken yet? That's pretty impressive. I think that if you stress your psychic skills in your application that could definitely be a hook.</p>

16

<p>Ok people...stop jumping to conclusions...this is a forum and we shd be polite. Ask questions if you must abt a persons stats, but never jump to conclusions...(ahem dha)</p>

<p>Phoenixy - those grades are his/her goals...people keep these things called goals and strive to achieve them by giving it their everything.</p>

<p>I really cannot say about whether or not you will or will not get in...I personally believe that its all up to fate. The colllege admissions process is soo messed up that its hard to predict. You can lose ur spot to some fool who got in based on their parents income, legacy....I'm sure you get the point. This is a fact people dont want to admit. Every person is talented in his/her own ways and has a place in this world that they will neatly slide into when the time is right. All I can say is give it your best, dont overdo it, dont lie in your apps, dont cheat yourself. Thats something I learned from this year-long experience. I know people who lied on apps, etc...and when I found that out I was soo glad that I put ME on my app and not some moronic facade. In the end you will feel happy and satisfied knowing you did your best. One final piece of advise, never underestimate or overestimate your chances anywhere. </p>

<p>Good luck with the college process!</p>

17

<p>Look sorry about earlier but at least your tone has calmed down! But anyway, you are right about what ifs in terms of AP score, however, I am taking those classes and pretty much will get As. Is your GPA unweighted? Do you get bonus points for AP classes? That is why it is so high! NOT 12 APs, only 5 my JUNIOR YEAR and I have no where near a perfect SAT! Also, inner city?? More like suburbia but regardless you are right we cant have it all and what I posted is not near anything like that! How are you taking all those APs as well and still dont have a 4.0??</p>

18

<p>Yea sorry about accusing you b4, with Virtual school you can take a formidable amout of APs and I was unaware that you were counting next year. Anyways about my GPA thats unweighted ( I have a 3.6 I think), weighted its like a 5. something, because I take required honors classes that like bring my weighted down. I was just giving an example of some 12 AP 1600 person who in theory doesnt exist, like one of those super asians. Well good luck with your plans, what are you doing this summer?</p>

19

<p>Take an initiative and come up with something absolutely innovative in your subject of interest (over the summer, start a special community outreach program; or do a scientific research study; or read James Joyce's Ulysses and do an in depth critical study of the work; or write poetry...who cares? Whatever you do, do it with PASSION). Be a deep thinker and come up with your personal philosophy on life. Spend lots of time on your application essays. </p>

<p>Finally, academics will only take you so far. An insane number of APs will not get you into Harvard, but thinking outside the box will help you. Do something to show your potential to change the world, that shows genuine passion, dedication, and your individual talents.</p>

<p>When I applied to Harvard, most of my accomplishments were in the sciences (research, especially). To be sure my accomplishments were genuine, the Harvard adcom actually asked me to send them copies of all the research I did in high school. I never thought very highly of Harvard and was more focused on expanding my knowledge of science and ability to think creatively. I didn't get into Harvard because I was solely obsessed about the name, but rather I got in because of my passion for science and learning.</p>

20

<p>blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah PASSION!!!! blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah dont do it just to get into college blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah PASSION!!! blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah dont worry about it why are you posting stats if you know theyre great blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah</p>

<p>/satire</p>