<p>I'm a rising senior, and Harvard and Princeton are my top choices. I went to Harvard SSP this year and received an A minus in Macroeconomics and an A in another class. Considering that Harvard curves these grades (I don't know by how much) and that the Macroeconomics class was an introductory course (both classes were), will this hurt my application? I must also say that I tried very hard in the class and am now very interested in economics though I don't think I'll major in it--planning on majoring in history. Also, will an A- (curved, mind you again) imply that I'm bad in Math?</p>
<p>I have stellar SAT/SAT II scores in the 750+ range for each subject, good ranking/grades/GPA, and pretty good EC's and recs... I'm pretty sure. And essays shall be coming along. I also have one national science award from freshman year (nothing that significant honestly and it was a 4-person group project) and one or two minor regional awards in a few EC's.
Problem is, I took 2 AP courses junior year (two 5's but they weren't in chem or bio or physics, the supper hard ones) and I'll be taking 4 more this year... It's just the way my school works. I could've taken a max of 3 junior year, for example and before that, I couldn't take any.
Lastly, I'm Asian (yes, my username is misleading) from MD. Again, H and P are my first two choices. So will that A- make admission officers think twice about me? Furthermore, will this A- detrimentally contribute to my college GPA if I get credits for the course?</p>
<p>I'm just really anxious about this whole process. I know it's super competitive to get into those 2 schools and that's why I'm worried about the A minus. I'm sorry if I come across as obnoxious, but some of the kids at SSP told me that the summer program was easier than regular college classes.. I'm afraid that by not getting A's, admissions officers will doubt my work ethics/ability in handling the college workload at these competitive schools, especially since they were intro courses which many high schoolers took and since I've only taken a few AP's. Again, I hope I haven't offended anyone. I only want your honest and hopefully informed opinion. Thanks!</p>
<p>i didn’t really read much of the post besides the worries about the A minus. American education depresses me because of kids like you who have to worry so much about a stellar grade.</p>
<p>Wait im planning on applying to Harvard SSP for neurobiology and probably Intorduction to Psychology. I didnt know that they had curved grades and would these be considered really difficult courses</p>
<p>I also noticed that Harvard courses are only like 2 days a week for like 3 hrs and Cornell SSP is like almost 3 hrs a week for Mon-Fri and like 6-7 hrs a week Mon-Thur. Does that make Harvard SSP less prestegious than the Cornell SSP</p>
<p>I know Neurobio was challenging–my friends took it–so don’t be afraid. They’re all challenging courses in their own ways, I’m sure. I was just freaking out a few moments earlier. My friends have calmed me down. I had a really fun time at Harvard academically and socially, so I really recommend that you go.</p>
<p>Def not less prestigious. I know that the 8-credit courses met every day for 5 hours each day Mon-Fri. Plus you get a bunch of reading hw. You’ll be busy. Don’t worry. :)</p>
<p>I didn’t know anyone who took biostatics, but some of the kids in neurobio I know took bioethics. Also, just to warn you, nearly 200 kids took neurobio this past year. But again, you’ll be busy… my friends always struggled with the amount of material that they had to study. I’m sure you’ll do well though–my friends got A’s with the curve. And regarding course selection, you have a whole year to consider it. I just recommend taking courses that you’re actually interested in bc you can get easily distracted when you’re among a bunch of high school kids during summer vacation. Also, I talked to the course selection advisor before deciding my classes… [Program</a> Contacts and FAQs : Harvard Summer School 2009](<a href=“http://www.summer.harvard.edu/2009/programs/ssp/faq.jsp]Program”>http://www.summer.harvard.edu/2009/programs/ssp/faq.jsp)
But try not to contact them when they’re busy-- so not late May early June immediately before the program when they’re organizing everything .</p>