Hi guys! My situation: after hearing that my school had a decent record of getting students into Yale, I applied early and (by a complete stroke of luck) got in 
In an attempt to bargain for financial aid, I applied to these schools regular: Stanford (rejected), UChicago (waitlisted, but filled out app last-minute), Princeton (rejected), and Harvard – waitlisted.
As of now, the two I am seriously considering are Yale and Harvard. My plan if I had gotten in anywhere else besides Yale was to visit both during orientation (I visited both in fall but wasn’t able to sit in on classes) and compare financial aid packages, but since I’m on Harvard’s waitlist that’s not possible.
My question: is it worth the fight to try and get off Harvard’s waitlist to have it as an option? (aka does it sound like I am a fit for either?) I know the numbers will be crazy low. I’m from a moderately-sized Indiana public school which typically only gets 1 kid into a specific top school, and one of my classmates applied early to Harvard and got in.
I’m interested in majoring in something Health/Biology (anything from Molecular Biology to Bioengineering) and I am eventually interested in a career in Academic Medicine. I’ve heard that in Academic Medicine – unlike general medicine – it is helpful to have the ivy pedigree. My plans are not 100% concrete, so a bit of exploring room would be appreciated. I’d like to get involved in research and do music on the side, maybe as a minor (I play violin). I’m a bit of a foodie, but the dining halls both seemed good… I’m somewhat shy but excited to branch out and meet new people in college! I can get a little competitive, but mostly just competitive with myself and I love good collaboration.
Stats:
1/471 class rank.
SAT: 760 CR, 770 M, 770 W. SAT II’s: 800 Math II, 790 Math I, 780 Chem.
In IB now, but school offered no AP/IB classes Fr or So year. So AP Calc AB: 5, IB Chem SL: 7
National Merit Scholar, Indiana Academic All-Star
Essays: good, but about normal topics like gymnastics.
Recommendations: 10/10 I think
Concertmaster of local youth orchestra, winner of local concerto competitions. All-State Orch for 3 years. Submitted arts supplements. I’ve organized lots of community/charity concerts
Varsity gymnastics, mental attitude winner 3 times. Basically kid on the team who works hard and leads by example but 0 natural talent
Student Gov- Vice President of Academic Affairs which connects to my volunteering- mostly tutoring, coach the Middle School Science Olympiad team
Academic Superbowl State Champ (2013), State Runner-Up (2014).
Thank you guys!!