The Big H

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>AP/IB Taken/Will have taken (Class): AP World History, AP US History, AP English Literature, AP Calculus
IB English HL, IB Economcs SL, IB Physics HL (yuck), IB French SL, IB Math Studies SL, IB Theory of Knowledge, IB History of the Americas HL
Full IB Diploma Candidate</p>

<p>Asian Male from NY from a public magnet.
Major: I plan to double major, one in business (not sure exactly what area) and French.</p>

<p>GPA Roughly: UW: 3.88, W: 3.99</p>

<p>Note: Though my W and UW are similar, my school decided to deflate GPA this year and last for reasons beyond me. I have taken the most challenging load available.</p>

<p>School doesn't rank, but roughly the second half of the top 10%.</p>

<p>SAT: Highest Single Sitting CR-680 M-750 W-760, 1430/2190
Superscore: CR-710 M-750 WR-760 1460/2220</p>

<p>SAT II's: 740 Math II, 640 USH I will retake the US because I got a 5 on the AP</p>

<p>AP: Psych 5 (Self-Study), USH 5, Micro 3 (Technically self-study), English Lit 3, World History 3.</p>

<p>EC's Sports:
Varsity Soccer 4 yrs, Varsity Swimming 3 yrs (Scholar-Athlete), Varsity Track and Field 4 yrs (Captain 12)
EC Activities: NYS Math League 2 yrs (Captain 12), Guitar playing 5 yrs, Multi-Cultural Club 2 yrs.</p>

<p>Jobs: Did math tutoring in and out of school, taught English abroad in a formal setting.
Volunteer: 50 hours at an historic landmark, 90 hours abroad doing translation services for the olympics</p>

<p>Programs: Economics for Leaders</p>

<p>Awards: AP Scholar with Distinction
A College Book Award
Congressional Award Bronze/Silver Certificates</p>

<p>Essay: Not sure, I'm gonna rewrite it.</p>

<p>Recs: Counselor doesn't like me that much, but the other two should be great.</p>

<p>Oh I plan on taking up to 6 more AP tests senior year (up to five self studied) anyway to include this on my app?</p>

<p>Somewhat possibility? Or am I simply dreaming?</p>

2

<p>No, you are not dreaming. You do stand a good chance.</p>

3

<p>wow really? thank you!
i mean i shouldn’t expect to get in, but there is a possibility? sweet</p>

4

<p>When u said ur counselor doesnt like u, what did u mean? Just asking because its a risky thing to have these days…</p>

5

<p>if u have time, also add in one superstrong sat ii, OR do ACT once really well. SAT I is decent, however.</p>

6

<p>@aspirer
basically, she thinks I’m a loser who only studies and gets good grades and scores (which is nothing further from the truth)</p>

7

<p>Update: I reworked my common app essay, this time more optimistic, personable and affable, and a little bit of wittiness!</p>

8

<p>“she thinks I’m a loser who only studies and gets good grades and scores”</p>

<p>It sounds like your counselor has some issues…</p>

9

<p>^nah it’s my fault, because i talk about academics too much and thus have this public image of always studying or something</p>

10

<p>Aren’t you supposed to talk about academics with your counselor…?</p>

11

<p>You’re supposed to talk about academics with your counselor. I guess she missed that memo.</p>

12

<p>My two cents:</p>

<p>1) Fix your terminology. Harvard does not have majors they have concentrations and to “double” concentrate is more complicated than you think. You must have a common link for the two (not impossible with your mix) and you are required to complete a thesis. (Harvard students please correct me if I got that wrong) Applying to a school and telling them how perfect they are can be a problem when they realize that you actually don’t understand their academic structure.</p>

<p>2) 2nd half of 10% - I am interpreting that you are saying that you are not in the top 5%. I would prefer to see top 5% for you application.</p>

<p>3) SAT and SAT II scores - nothing wrong with them. They are scores that I understand that Harvard will accept. They won’t get you in but they also will not keep you out.</p>

<p>4) AP scores - same as above - but you are missing your AP calculus from the list. Was that this year and therefore the score is still coming? </p>

<p>5) EC’s - fine but I would like to be seeing your demonstration of passion and leadership. I am not saying that you do not have passion or leadership but the list alone cannot convey that. </p>

<p>6) The point that the “councilor does not like me very much” concerns me the most. I see may comments here mainly concentrating on the counselors flaws. You state that “basically, she thinks I’m a loser who only studies and gets good grades and scores (which is nothing further from the truth)”. You need to address why you and she do not have a good relationship. There are always two sides to the story and it very well can be that you got a lousy counselor but there is an equal possibility that there is something about you that comes across poorly. If that is the case, then you want to figure this out for two reasons 1) The counselors rec is important and 2) you will be doing an interview and should you be viewed in this same way by the interviewer that will not be good.</p>

<p>So things I would concentrate on are 1) get to know the schools to which you are applying 2) resolve your issue with your counselor and 3) figure out why a college wants YOU and make sure that through your essays, recs, etc that it will be clear to them.</p>

<p>You stats are all fine. They will not keep you from being accepted.</p>

13

<p>just got my junior year report card: ALL A’s and ONE B!!! YAYYYYY
My GPA W should be: 4.04, UW should be: 3.92
does this change anything?</p>

<p>oh at the above, I will take calc senior year, just finished junior.</p>

14

<p>peyton clime and powerbomb: hmmm i guess you’re right!
because I wanted to retake a 90 i got on a regents (jokes of exams), took 4 AP’s (OH NO!!! 4 AP’s I must be an overachieving loser!)</p>

15

<p>haha idk how your school runs but mine has separate advisory counselors for directing academics and stuff, and we dont formally meet with our college counselors until the end of junior year. there can be different systems, fyi. hehe</p>

16

<p>Lol ok so I decided against applying but now I want to again,
chance me?</p>